Arotahi is the Missionary Society of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. They have created a prayer resource for the season of Advent and Christmas. We will publish a week of readings at a time a few days before the week starts. This is the final set of readings.
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Sunday | 4 January
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-5
Tripura Theological College connects New Zealand and Tripura through its origins. It was an early initiative of New Zealand missionaries who began a mobile Bible school that grew into a theological institution producing the first trained pastors of Tripura.
In this new year, please pray for its academic and spiritual programmes, a unified leadership vision to upgrade the college to a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) programme, and increased financial support for its faculty, students, and infrastructure.
God of wisdom and growth,
Bless Tripura Theological College:
its students, teachers, and leaders.
May it be a well of living water,
nurturing faith and equipping many
to serve your people with grace and truth.
Amen.
Monday | 5 January
Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
Psalm 149:1-5
At Arotahi, we have been inspired by our conversations with those who have engaged with Global Experiences and in other ways. In response to this, Mā Mātou is forming. This is a space for people to continue connecting, learning and encouraging each other as they discern what God is doing in the world.
Please pray for this space this year. May it be a place of renewal, hope and transformation.
God,
We pray for your wisdom and heart to shape Mā Mātou.
May it reflect your joy, your peace and justice.
In your name,
Amen
Tuesday | 6 January
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Isaiah 60:1-6
God,
Keep us in that wisdom which You revealed to the Magi.
Grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we may always seek You and Your kingdom.
Enable us to follow Your Holy Word, as those from the East followed the leading of a star, and many have followed Your leading since.
Give us grace at all times and in all places to confess Your Holy Name to all people.
For Yours is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory
For ever and ever
Amen
Image: From the cover of Arotahi’s Daily Advent Readings 2025 PDF
