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22-28 December 2025
Prayer focus
Rwanda Territory
Territorial Leaders: Lieut-Colonel Emmanuel & Dancille Ndagijimana
Chief Secretary: Lieut-Colonel Christian Azubuike
TSWM: Lieut-Colonel Christiana Azubuike
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for our territory to meet the requirements of the Government to reopen our corps that were closed last year
- Pray for the cadets of the Proclaimers of Transformation that have just commenced their studies.
- Pray for the harvest appeal that God will touch people to give willingly to his work
MATTHEW 1:18-25
Joseph
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby (vv 24-25 MSG)
POOR Joseph! Luke's Gospel account gives him only passing reference in the story of the birth of Jesus, and he is hardly mentioned during his life either. But of all the people to be afraid, Joseph was perhaps the most likely and the one with most cause. He had been a good Jewish boy and was engaged to a good Jewish girl who had then told him she was having a baby, prior to their marriage. Matthew's Gospel here offers us a little more understanding. Mary had shared her news with Joseph, but, having considered everything, he decided that he would quietly divorce her. Clearly, he was unconvinced; surely this story could not be true.
One can almost sense his hopes and dreams evaporating before his very eyes. The love of his life carrying a baby that was not his – the embarrassment, shame and reproach he would suffer... And none of this was his fault. But an angel came to him while he was sleeping and convinced him that he should stand with Mary and the baby. How admirable!
We find ourselves standing on the cusp of the Nativity, where we will remember the events of this wonderful story, but let us face the reality that, for many of the characters, the gospel created fear before faith. This is the case for many people who at this time are considering the claims of Jesus upon their lives, and trying to weigh up whether to take the step of faith and accept him. There is always a chance that you are chosen to be the one who speaks words of comfort or encouragement which will cause someone to take a step towards Jesus, rather than moving away. How will you prepare for this possibility?