Shine Your Light On Your Street

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

ON YOUR STREET

ADVENT GUIDE INCLUDING PRAYERS AND

OUTREACH IDEAS, OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY TIE IN,

TESTIMONIES AND MUCH MORE…

VISION TO SEE A HOUSE OF LIGHT

IN EVERY STREET IN THE UK

A Houses of Light is an individual or

household, who choose to take spiritual

responsibility for their street, PRAYING for

their neighbours, CARING for their neighbours

and SHARING Jesus with their neighbours.

Believing for 5 new disciples on every street.

JOIN US NOW

MAGNIFYINGJESUSONOURSTREETS

HOUSESOFLIGHT.NET

2 SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON YOUR STREET

SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON YOUR STREET

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CONTENTS

5. Illuminated Crosses in Your Window

6. Introduction to Shine Your Light, Jonathan Oloyede

7. Some Ideas for Churches From Shine Your Light

8. Introduction to Houses of Light, Rebekah Brettle, Founder

8. How to use this Booklet

9. Missional Ideas for the Individual Christian or Household

11. Light Stories From Houses of Light

13. Light Stories From Shine Your Light

16. Run Up To Christmas - September to November

18. Anchor Scripture for Prayer Guide

19. Prayer and Action Guide November 27th to January 1st

29. Introduction to Beacons of Light

30. National Day of Prayer and Worship Month of Prayer

33. Special thanks and donate to our work

Produced by Houses of Light and Shine Your Light (NDOPW) - Copyright 2026

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(NIV) Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®️, NIV®️. Copyright ©️ 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.️

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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We do not use Artificial intelligence to produce or contribute to any of our written resources or newsletters. We use Bible Gateway for

scripture references and prayer guides are produced after extensive prayer. We have used AI to generate the image on the front cover, other

images are Adobe images or supplied photographs relating to testimonies. The author of this guide is Rebekah Brettle, with contributions

from other authors including Jonathan Oloyede and members of the NDOPW community. Design has been done by Rick Yates.


ILLUMINATED CROSSES-

LITERALLY SHINE YOUR

LIGHT ON YOUR STREET.

In December this year,

Shine Your Light and Houses

of Light are asking Christians

everywhere to put illuminated

crosses in their windows,

the length and breadth of

the UK. This could be bought

or made in the shape of a

cross through fairy lights.

You may wish to add a

nativity scene to your

illuminated cross.

Putting illuminated crosses in our windows, tells our

neighbours that we love Jesus, hopefully inviting

people to ask questions about Jesus. We have been

feeling for some time in Houses of Light, that we need

to be visible on our streets. Visibility mainly relates to

hospitality, friendship and love of our neighbours on

our streets. An illuminated cross in our windows visibly

declares our love for Jesus. It shows our neighbours

that it is in Jesus alone, that we put our trust.

Can you imagine driving round the neighbourhood and

seeing Jesus declared through illuminated crosses?


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INTRODUCTION TO

SHINE YOUR LIGHT -

DR JONATHAN OLOYEDE

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least

of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25 v 35 – 40

Jesus invites His Church not

only to proclaim the Gospel

but also to embody it. We

must bring Light, Hope and

Compassion to society’s

forgotten people.

That’s what the Lord has been speaking to me about

this year. Like John Wesley and the pioneering ministry

of The Salvation Army, Shine Your Light is a movement

of both word and deed: preaching good news to the

poor, serving the forgotten and demonstrating the

love of Christ in our communities.

What began as a grassroots movement in 2023 across

the UK and Ireland has grown into a powerful expression

of united mission. We have heard countless remarkable

testimonies and in 2025, the numbers of those taking

place grew dramatically, with over 308,000 Christians

mobilised from thousands of churches and ministries

across the nations.

Under the Shine Your Light banner, believers stepped

outside church walls to serve communities, support

those in need, share meals, pray for strangers, sing

hope into public spaces and boldly proclaim that Jesus

Christ is still the Light of the world. Many are doing this

for the first time! What is special about this movement

is that it continues to unite ordinary Christians from

many denominations and local churches across

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the

Republic of Ireland.

This year, Shine Your Light carries a renewed vision

from the Lord: to reach the overlooked, the isolated,

the struggling and the searching, with both the

message and ministry of Jesus. This year we are being

inspired by the example of the Wesley Brothers and

by the legacy of the Salvation Army. Following their

example and commitment to serving the poor and

vulnerable, we are calling the Church once again to go

beyond its buildings into the heartbeat of community.

Throughout December, with a focus on the weekend

of 11th – 13th December 2026 - churches will host

outreaches to estates, care houses, prisons, hospitals

and those who are homeless to shine the Light of

Christ into every corner of society. Alongside this,

believers are invited to join in 72 hours of unbroken

prayer, asking the Lord for more salvations and greater

transformation this Christmas.

Last year, national leaders, media outlets and public

figures recognised the impact of this united witness.

Yet the greatest testimonies came from the grassroots

in local communities: people encountering Jesus for

the first time, families finding hope again, churches

welcoming new people and Christians discovering the

joy of serving together in unity.

This fantastic prayer and action guide shares just a few

of these stories - and yet, I believe we are only at the

beginning of what the Lord is doing in our Isles.

Shine Your Light and Houses of Light are coming

together to invite YOU to take the hope of Jesus

beyond church walls and into every community.

Through prayer, compassion, evangelism and practical

action, we want to shine His light where it is needed

most.

From our town centres, our streets and the forgotten

places, we believe Jesus can transform lives and

restore hope.

Let us pray that as we step out in faith this December,

we make Christ known where He is currently unknown!!


Some Ideas for Churches, From Shine

Your Light.

• Carols out of your church -

• Singing in the town centre 2/3 - 20/20, small or

large events

• Sing Carols wherever you go - people love them and

add a tract. Imagine the places where people are lost

and lonely - Reach out with a song. Join all the local

churches together and fill the town centre.

• Door to door: 2-3 of you sharing Christmas with your

community on the door step.

• Flash mobs in the shopping centre food courts - a

sudden unexpected event of music, singing or dance

• Nursing homes - the elderly love the reminders of

carols. The residents and staff will be touched by

the message of Jesus. Some homes may incorporate

your carols into their Christmas parties. Pick up the

phone and call them, many are awaiting your call.

Take colouring books and crayons for the residents,

the homes need them so much.

• Take a flower with a scripture attached, to the

residents in the home - it’s not much, but it means so

much knowing Jesus loves them.

• Hospitals - ever been in hospital at Christmas? Let

them know Jesus loves them. For some it may be

their last chance of hearing the Gospels. Ask the

hospitals how your church can support them.

• Care for the dying - Support your hospices with carols

or just serving, many are understaffed.

• Support your police and Councils and offer a carol or

two - they will love it!

• The homeless - Search them out - go into the

highways and byways - they may need warm clothing

• Calendars -Have calendars made with verses of

scripture, delivering them to houses as a gift

• Open your homes and Churches to Christmas

crafting. Teach children and parents crafting for

Christmas. Christmas wreaths, decoration making,

gift wrapping and ribbon tying, while sharing the

Gospel in word and music. Use you skills and talents,

little or large, big or small.

• Mince Pies and Mulled wine is a wonderful way to

encourage public engagement.

• Hampers for the needy. Put together hampers of

special items that local communities may not be able

to have this Christmas - Funding will be needed to

help serve your community.

• Engage with your schools and youth groups - Invite

local schools to join in your events in dance, song

and musical activities. Ask the schools etc how the

church can support and help them.

• Mayors, politicians, and dignitaries - Invite to church

and community events . They love to be engaged in

many of these events, even if they are small events

To register your event:

www.shineyourlight.org.uk/registeration

Not sure how to do a Shine Your Light event?

Here’s a help guide for you to follow

https://shineyourlight.org.uk/helpguide

Resources available to help you:

FREE carol sheets for your events - Just pay postage

and packing

FREE download of backing tracks

Posters and flyers

All of these are currently being uploaded to

www.shineyourlight.org.uk

You will also be able to order banners and programmes

from our friends at CPO

• Local Prison ministry - Support and offer Carols for

the inmates -

• Join up with local councils Carol services.

• Loneliness at Christmas - Many have lost and

grieving the loss of a loved one - Provide an outlet for

sharing their grief with love - Place a Christmas tree

in a public place with red and gold hearts to hang on

with personal messages. A wonderful opportunity to

share the love of Jesus.

• Christmas dinners in your churches - for those who

are alone and may never have a Christmas dinner -

Gospel music and a message as they have their meal


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HOUSES OF LIGHT

Houses of Light, formerly

Neighbourhood Prayer

Network, launched at the

National Day of Prayer and

Worship on 29th September

2012 and was a legacy partner

of this event. Since that

time, thousands of people

at one time or another have

signed up to PRAY for their

neighbours, CARE for their

neighbours and SHARE Jesus

with their neighbours. We are

believing that everywhere

there is a House of Light,

we will see 5 new disciples

of Jesus.

Year. There is something in here for everyone, be that

prayer, missional ideas, tie in with Old Testament

prophecy and the Nativity story as well as testimonies.

You may want to read in advance the daily actions, to

prepare ahead of time.

This guide spans Friday 27th November until January

1st and so should not be regarded as a traditional

advent guide. This year as we are publishing many

months in advance, we have also included some

‘Halloween outreach ideas.’

Fridays: There is a missional focus at street level based

around Mathew 25:31-46.

Saturdays: Is simply a scripture based around the

nativity story, linking in with Old Testament prophecy.

Sundays: We have omitted to allow you to concentrate

on church activities and your own church’s message.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: We

will be praying for the neighbours living on your street,

about a range of issues, where possible linking in with

the National ‘Shine Your Light’ campaign. Each day will

have a scripture, a prayer and a suggested action point.

The exception to this, is that after Christmas in the run

up to New Year, the focus is on prayer, fasting, prayer

walking and hearing God for the New year.

Sign up, to become a House of Light on your street.

Click here

In this Christmas missional resource, we share some

testimony of how people’s lives have been changed

through PRAYING for, CARING for and SHARING Jesus

with neighbours. We hope this Christmas resource

will inspire you, to let ‘your light shine’ before your

neighbours, so that they will see your good deeds and

praise your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

We prepare in PRAYER

We mend nets with CARE

We catch new disciples through SHARING Jesus

How to Use This Guide

It is not intended, that everyone does every idea, held

within the pages of this booklet. It combines PRAYER

for your neighbours, CARE for your neighbours and

SHARING Jesus with neighbours.

SAFETY NOTICE: While the vast majority of our

neighbours would never harm a child or an adult, we

are aware of the growing issues surrounding abuse.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you do

not spend time with a child without a parent present

and that you do many of the activities included in this

guide with a least one other person.

Shine Your Light, facilitated by the National Day of

Prayer and Worship and ‘Houses of Light’ hope that

this prayer and missional guide, will be a welcome

companion during the lead up to Christmas and New


MISSIONAL IDEAS

FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

CHRISTIAN OR

HOUSEHOLD

Here, we share some low-cost missional ideas for your

local street. We start with the simplest and work up

towards ideas that need more planning and resources.

All these ideas have been tried and tested on streets in

the UK. In the testimonies section, we share ‘stories of

light’ on streets and in local communities.

Illuminated cross- Use your home to

magnify Jesus.

• Put an illuminated cross in your window. This could

be some fairy lights arranged in the shape of a cross

or could be a bought illuminated cross.

• As well as putting an illuminated cross in your window,

add a nativity scene, so that all your neighbours see

the message of the nativity as the real reason for

Christmas.

Christmas cards to neighbours

• Deliver or send 24 Christmas cards to your nearest

neighbours, saying it is from your family or household,

with the house name. You may wish to include a small

gift such as dairy milk chocolate bar.

• You may want to add in an invitation to your church

services if your church is nearby, or the services

of another local church. Christingle services are

particularly popular with those not currently

attending church.

• You may want to go one step further and place a

Father’s Love Letter and or a Gospel or a Prayer

Request card in the bag. Prayer request card artwork

can be downloaded from housesoflight.net to be

printed locally.

Christmas cards and an Invitation to

A Christmas Gathering in Your Home.

• As well as sending Christmas cards, invite your

neighbour to an event in your home.

Events can include:

• Mulled wine and Minced pie party (we recommend

without alcohol as many struggle with hidden alcohol

misuse).


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• It could be that you invite your neighbours to a hot

meat sandwich meal or a log roll party or even a full

Christmas spread in the run up to Christmas.

• Pick a charity such as local kids aged 16-18 who have

left care, but still not living independently- there are

several charities like this. Ask your neighbours to

bring items towards boxes to your event. Please see

included testimony in the ‘Light stories’ section.

Christmas Day and Your lonely Neighbour

• We very strongly recommend that you do not do this

activity alone, but with someone else.

• Invite your lonely neighbour to share Christmas with

your family.

• For good measure, open your home to anyone in your

church who will otherwise be alone at Christmas.

Adopting the Street Where Your Church Is!

Essentially this is an expanded version of all the other

ideas, just done with the full resources of the local

church.

We suggest that the church, in groups of two, visits

every home on the street where the church is, find

out their names and offers to pray for them via prayer

request cards. Give them a Christmas card from the

church, a can of coke or similar and some chocolate

from the church. Add in an invite to an event specifically

for the residents of the road and put on a Christmas

Carol themed Christmas afternoon tea. Identify any

pastoral care needs on the street and seek to follow

these up in the New Year, earning the right to share our

faith with our neighbours eventually.


LIGHT

STORIES

Here we share ‘Light Stories’

from Houses of Light and

Shine Your Light. The first

three stories are from Houses

of Light and the latter seven

from ‘Shine Your Light.’

We hope that they will be a

blessing and an inspiration

to you.

TESTIMONY- 72 homes, 16 Christmas Boxes

and a Neighbour, all starting with PRAYER,

CARE and SHARE.

Here at Houses of Light, we try not to ask you to do

something that we have not first tried ourselves. So

here is what we (the Brettle family) did in 2024 in our

own home, together with our neighbour from across

the road.

Rebekah writes: In December 2024, God laid it on my

heart to prayer drive an area from the top of my road,

where Birchgrove Costa Coffee is, down to the Tescos

in Neath Abbey. I felt God was asking me to prayer

drive up and down 7 times. It is a long road! I remember

thinking it would be nice if my Mum joined me and she

just happened to be walking on the road as I thought

this, so I invited her to join. We prayed 7 loops for the

road and I felt God say to me to pray for our neighbour

who had been in hospital recently.

As I got home, my neighbour just happened to cross

the road, to thank us for providing food for him, after

he had come out of hospital. It was my husband Carl

who had done all the great cooking for him, I had just

delivered it. So right there in the middle of the road,

I obeyed God and prayed for him. He told me that he

was able to get up the stairs for the first time after the

prayer. He then asked me if I would get the ‘churches’

in Skewen to help provide Christmas presents for

sixteen, 16-18 year olds, living in residential houses,

who were too old for care, but not yet independent.

Some are asylum seekers, some had aged out of the

care system. All were facing Christmas with very little

in the way of presents.

We were already going to give out 72 bags, to our

neighbours with a can of coca cola or similar, a bar of

dairy milk and an invitation to a party in our homeusually

hot meat sandwiches – beef or lamb. We

simply added in some information about the charity

and invited people to donate items.

By mid December, we had 16+ families as well as 2

churches and some work colleagues who had donated.

We filled 16 boxes with chocolate, hot water bottles,

hats, scarves, gloves, games, Carol sheets, flasks,

deodorant, tooth-brushes, books etc as well as 7 larger

boxes to be delivered to the other 50 teenagers and

young adults in the community.

My neighbour was so impressed, he asked to come on

an Alpha course (held in our home) and this year he

became a Christian on Alpha. We continue to help him

on his journey into deeper relationship with Jesus, but

more than this, he is a very much appreciated friend

and neighbour.

2025 Update

In 2025, with my neighbour, who became a Christian

in 2024, we delivered 80 bags with a St John’s Gospel,

a Christmas card, some chocolate and neighbours

once again helped us provide 16 boxes of presents,

like last year to the 16-18 year olds. This time two

local churches – a Methodist church and Free Mission

church took part. We had a Christmas party at our

home that was better attended than the year before.

We also connected with a very vulnerable neighbour…

we will do something similar in 2026, but each year we

are changing it slightly.


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PRAYER REQUEST CARDS

The idea is simple, give out prayer request cards,

this Christmas, perhaps with Christmas cards.

PRAYER

REQUEST

Write your prayer request here :

Jesus says “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NCV

Send to :

List your contact details for further help.

S** from Blackpool, delivers prayer request cards on

her road.

S** writes. Recently a lady approached me in the

supermarket, who lives on my road to ask if it was me

who delivered the cards. S** said yes and the neighbour

replied that she loved the unconditional nature of the

request.

The idea has caught the imagination of others and at

my fellowship I’m overwhelmed by the number of folk

stepping up to prepare the packs for delivery. We have

a street map that displayed that shows that large areas

of the town have been covered. Each pack is prepared

in prayer and delivered with blessings.”

INVITING LONELY NEIGHBOURS

Jean Dobson (Liverpool) and former trustee of Houses

of Light (formerly NPN) answered our call to invite a

lonely neighbour round for food at Christmas back in

2012 after our launch at the ‘National Day of Prayer

and Worship 29th September 2012. What began as an

invitation to Christmas dinner, transformed into a deep

friendship with a neighbour, who had no known living

relatives and no visitors, day to day. They became

family to each other. Their neighbour went to be with

the Lord, some years ago, but, before she died, they

broke bread with her, and she gave her life to Jesus. We

will in coming months be publishing the full story on

our website.


THE

FOLLOWING

STORIES ARE

FROM SHINE

YOUR LIGHT

Carnations that changed a community.

Having recently moved to a new area, having signed

up for Shine Your Light, and feeling it was good to get

to know people, it was felt that 50 carnations to the

50 closest houses around us would be a good way to

open relations delivered by my wife and I. The flowers

had a Happy Christmas message, with a verse of

scripture - credit card, attractive size, specially printed

and attached by a rubber band. Carnations last 6 weeks

in a vase. So the message kept shining right the way

through January. Many good comments were received

and are still coming back. That was stage 1. Stage 2 was

“live music in the garden” in July. 25 neighbours came

even in poor weather. In September a house church

was formed in our home. Now it is 11 committed

Christians meeting here as a “Missional Community.”

It just happened after first reaching out in a very simple

way to the local community. God did it.

Stepping Out in Faith – Shopping centre

Carols…

A lady contacted me to say she would like to do a

Shine Your Light event in the local shopping centre

and after speaking to her friend she was taken to see

the shopping centre manager. She asked if she could

sing carols in the centre at Christmas and the Manager

immediately gave her permission, stating that she

loved Carols. This was a big step of faith as there was

only her and her husband and no musicians or church

support, but they had the prompting of the Holy Spirit

to step out in faith.

and the family of intecessors on at NDOPW prayed

for a turnaround as days became closer. On the final

day of the Carol service - the carollers consisted of 25-

30 carol singers, musical support and chocolates to

share as the Gospel was proclaimed. The wonder of

the Christmas story was shared with over a hundred

shoppers and passers-by and many more smiles. Step

out in faith and see what God will do this Christmas.

Inviting Neighbours around

for Shine Your Light

Just a simple story, and yet a wonderful story of sharing

with neighbours the wonderful story of Jesus, bringing

cheer and joy to those around. Not knowing what to

do for a Shine Your Light event but wanting to be a part

of the vision of lighting up the streets with the story

of Jesus birth, I was contacted by a lady for support.

She had decided to undertake a Shine Your Light event

by inviting all her neighbours to her house for carols

and food. The house was decorated in welcoming

Christmas decor, the shopping had been bought

and food prepared in sumptuous style. Wondering

if one would come, a few would come or all would

come. Cooking and baking commenced at speed, in

preparation for the guests to arrive. Not knowing if

this was the right thing to do as no-one had reached

out in this way before. The door bell rang with the first,

and then another two and more and more came of

neighbours that lived in her street. The house of light

had been born that day as almost all of the neighbours

came for Shine Your Light carols. It doesnt take much

to share the good news and light up your neighbours,

not worrying about pews. For outside the church,

Jesus was born, local and humble, not in big places but

just with the people. And so we must follow the same

pathway, sharing the gospel with all the same way.

Blessings and love this Christmas.

After contacting some of the local churches to try and

get people to join her there was nothing happening.

But not to be deterred, the lady and her husband,

made a Shine Your Light carol poster. Weeks went

past and still only a couple of people had joined but

still no musical support. The flyers went out and the

lady requested prayer as she was now getting anxious

as the days grew nearer. Prayers continued to flow


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Christmas movie night

On the 5th of December, in a small town on the Welsh

borders, after much thought, it was agreed to invite

local neighbours round for an evening of light snacks

and a Christmas movie. The invitations went out to

local neighbour’s and friends. As the food was being

prepared, thoughts of how many will come? What

happens if no one comes, although some had said

they would? This was the first time that the couple had

invited all their neighbours round. The time arrived for

people to attend and suddenly there was a knock at

the door. With bright smiling faces, they opened the

door and then suddenly more and more arrived to the

delight of couple. All in all, 25 local neighbours arrived

for the evening of fun a laughter and hearing the news

of Jesus birth. But much more was birthed on that

special night. A simple idea but meant so much to the

couple and neighbours. It wasnt about getting people

to church but was for the people in their street. It is

hoped that many more conversations will take place as

the seeds were sown and their home became known

as a House of Light.

A prayer of two at Christmas

A few of the local neighbours, gathered together one

crisp Christmas evening. After a small amount of

preparation the week before, it was agreed to take

Christmas cards and prayer requests in the same

envelope to the people in their street. Wanting to

meet the needs of those surrounding them. It is an

area of great need, with many elderly and living alone,

Christmas is often met with “its just another day”

when no one will come. Singing carols and knocking

on doors of 25 houses, not much more. The delight

on their faces when they opened the door, and found

someone willing to stop and share. The Christmas

cards and requests for prayer were taken with smiles

and thank you’s and from some please come again. For

those who didnt answer, they were slipped through

the door. Just a simple idea but welcomed by many,

sharing Jesus but also offering a prayer and letting

others now, that you care, may be the lifeline that your

neighbour may need. Knowing you are willing to give

of your time and giving to them. So Shine brightly this

Christmas and give of your time, you may be the only

person that your neighbour will see.

Christmas comes early

It took a bit of planning and organising last Christmas

event. Starting early and sharing with friends, ideas for

Christmas but not much to spend. Sound familiar to

you, I am sure as prices rise but wanting to do more.

Collecting a few of locals and friends, we made some

gift bags to fill with a gift to share. 1000 4inch gift bags

filled with a few sweets and a Christmas bell. Tied up

with a tag and a small verse of scripture. We started

early to make sure we had them all completed on time.

On Christmas week and with great delight, we took

the little bags and hung them in places for all to see

throughout the village. From park benches and street

lamps and low tree branches down the road. Little

bags of treasures for all to take, the joy of Christmas

we shared on our streets. What will you do this year?


A BIG HOUSE

OF LIGHT AT

CHRISTMAS

After decorating the house and joined in with

neighbours in the rest of the street. We put up a gazebo

on the drive of our house, decorated it with lights and

sent the invitations out. We practised our carols with

children and all, ready for all who would listen and hear

the good news of Christmas. The road was closed off

to allow free access to the street. Many would come to

see the lights in the road, houses bright and cheery lit

up for Christmas. As we sang and read from the word,

letting people know that Jesus is the reason for this

season and the true story of Christmas. The children

joined us and happily sang too. We had a wonderful

time and gave out tracts, mince pies and hot drinks to

welcome them all. About 300 visited our road that day

as well as neighbours joining together in unity singing

carols with gusto and joy. Shining our light for Jesus to

all those that visited Christmas 2025.


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RUN UP TO

CHRISTMAS -

SEPTEMBER TO

NOVEMBER.

A Mile With Jesus- National Prayer

Walking Day.

On the last Saturday of September (26th), we ask as

many people as possible to prayer walk a ‘literal mile’

with Jesus, ideally with as many others as you can.

While we are organising a conference in Swansea and

in Manchester, we would like to see smaller groups all

over the UK prayer walking their local communities as

home groups or churches.

We are recommending the ‘Holy Here’ free prayer

walking app, to record your prayer walks and you can

download for free our ‘A Mile with Jesus Prayer Walking

and Virtual Guide here.

A MILE WITH JESUS

& VIRTUAL PRAYER

WALKING GUIDE

PRAYER AND OUTREACH IDEAS.

Click here to

download the

‘A Mile with Jesus’

resource

The rest of the year, we ask members of the Houses of

Light community, to prayer walk their street every time

they leave their home or at least pray a blessing over

your street if you are jumping into your car.

Once a month, we also ask that you do a literal ‘A Mile

with Jesus’ across a few streets near your home.

similar projects you might prefer. We (the Brettle’s) have

done this before and it was popular with neighbours

when we lived in Manchester.

Halloween

Many of us dread the onset of Halloween. Houses of

Light see this as an opportunity.

We regularly ask our members to consider giving out

the UCB Bag of Hope to children who knock on our

doors at this time. Please visit the UCB website for

more information. Here are some other ideas, that Lisa

Hutt, our prayer director is especially fond of.

Light Beacons

Please note, this project while of a similar name to

Beacons of Light (Houses of Light prayer triplets) is not

directly connected to Houses of Light. We feel it was

important to showcase their work.

For the last few years Christians from different churches

in Woking have set up a Light Beacon. A pop-up space

to feed people warm food with craft activities and a

prayer tent. All have been welcomed in and prayed for

whatever they are wearing. Their outside appearance

does not stop God’s work in their hearts or stop them

from asking for prayer. The vision of Light Beacons is

to offer an alternative to Halloween. For Christians

to be Light and draw people to the light of the world

– Jesus. The beacons open late afternoon to early

evening. Perhaps you could organise a Light Beacon

on your street or community? www.lightbeacons.org.uk

Streets of Light

Please note, that while this project has a similar name

to Houses of Light, it is not directly connected to

Houses of Light though we do recommend it.

The idea is to daily backlight a creative design in a

window of your home which conveys a message

of light or love or hope from 25th October to 1st

November which neighbours can see. Their website

gives creative ideas and shows registered window

locations. Streets of Light began because Christians

were inspired to speak hope into darkness and

reflect the light and love. For more information:

www.streetsoflight.co.uk

Operation Christmas Child

Houses of Light often asks our members to consider

packing shoe boxes with Christmas presents, through

‘Operation Christmas Child’ a project run by Samaritan’s

purse www.samaritans-purse.org.uk You can organise

a shoe packing party on your street, making sure you

have completed this by November 9th. There are other


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September 26 2006

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17

Prayer and Action Guide

We have used the NIV Bible translation for scripture

references unless otherwise stated. Please note that in

the prayers each day we have assigned a capital letter

to You and Your when referring to God.

This scripture reference recurs across the whole

booklet.

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the

angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All

the nations with be gathered before him, and he will

separate the people one from another as a shepherd

separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the

sheep on his right and the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you

who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance

the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the

world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something

to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to

drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed

clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked

after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we

see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you

something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger

and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for

one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me,

you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for

the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you

gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me

nothing to drink, I was a stranger, and you did not invite

me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I

was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you

hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or

sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do

for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the

righteous to eternal life.” (NIV)


PRAYER AND

ACTION

GUIDE 27TH

NOVEMBER TO

1ST JANUARY

SAFETY NOTICE: While the vast majority of our

neighbours would never harm a child or an adult, we

are aware of the growing issues surrounding abuse.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you do

not spend time with a child without a parent present

and that you do many of the activities included in this

guide with a least one other person.

Friday 27th November

Matthew 25:31-46, focus on verse 36

‘I needed clothes and you clothed me…’

Lord, we pray for all those in our local community, who

are struggling to buy uniform, school shoes for children

or even regular basic clothes. Help women or men

fleeing domestic violence situations, or refugees, who

have very little. We pray for homeless on the streets,

in hostels and in bed and breakfast accommodation as

they face winter. Help us as individuals, home groups

or churches, to have wisdom in how to reach those

most in need. Amen

As an Individual: Donate clothes to the Salvation

Army, homeless shelters or local charities ministering

to those living in poverty.

Home Group/Church: If another church has a ministry

for the homeless, refugees or asylum seekers, think

about contributing in some way to the work they are

already doing. One church in Manchester, in the past,

asked everyone to donate winter coats to the homeless

over winter.

Matthew 1:18-25

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about.

His Mother was pledged to be married to Joseph,

but before they came together, she was found to be

pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her

husband was faithful to the law, and yet, did not want

to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to

divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of

David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your

wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy

Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give

him the name Jesus, because he will save his people

from their sins.

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said

through the prophet:‘The virgin will conceive and give

birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which

means ‘God with us).’

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the

Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his

wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until

she gave birth to a son. And he gave the name Jesus.”

(NIV)

Isaiah lived 700 years before Jesus was born. The very

name Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew, means ‘God saves.’

Immanuel means God with us.

Monday 30th November

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its

saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no

longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and

trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill

cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and

put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and

it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way,

let your light shine before others, that they may see

your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(NIV)

Galatians 5:22-23

Saturday 28th November ‘The Virgin will be

with Child’

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The

virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call

him Immanuel.” (NIV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol.

Against such things there is no law.” (NIV)

Father, help us to let our light shine before our

neighbours, so that they may see our good deeds and

praise You. Enable us to live lives that are filled with love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


19

gentleness and self-control. Help us to become more

like Jesus everyday, so that those around us take note.

Amen

Individual: In the next few weeks, give your neighbour,

a little bag, with a coca cola or similar, some chocolate

and an invitation to a Christmas service.

Church/Home Group: Consider giving out a little bag

to all the neighbours on your street with a can of a soft

drink, a bar of chocolate and a prayer request card –

that can be confidentially prayed for. Please see ‘Light

Stories’ section of this booklet for how this can work.

Tuesday 1st December

John 1:1-5

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was

with God, and the Word was God. He was with God

in the beginning. Through him, all things were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made. In

him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has

not overcome it.” (NIV)

Matthew 6:9-13

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in

heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us

today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we

also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (NIV)

Father, we want Your Kingdom to come, Your will to

be done on ‘our street’ in our ‘workplaces’ and in our

schools, as it is in Heaven. Give us wisdom in how to

tell people about You and to share Your love with all

those who do not yet know You. Amen

Individual: Invite your neighbour to your home over

Christmas for some food, with a Christmas theme.

Home Group/Church: Invite a whole street of

neighbours, to a Christmas gathering either in a home

or in the church, with non-alcoholic mulled wine

(many have alcohol issues) minced pies or even a full

Christmas dinner etc.

Wednesday 2nd December

Isaiah 60:1-2

“Arise and 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 people, but the

LORD rises upon you, and his glory appears over you.”

(NIV)

Lord, we praise You that faith is rising on streets across

the UK and we invite Your presence into every street

across the nation, including where I live. We pray

for every household living on our street, to feel Your

presence and turn to You. Bring revival to every corner

of the UK. Amen

Individual: Invite your neighbour to any local Christmas

services in any of the local churches. Christingles are

especially popular. If there are any ‘Shine Your Light’

events locally, invite your neighbour to these.

Home Group/church: Take part in Shine Your Light.

Please refer to shineyourlight.org.uk for news updates

and ideas about how you can get involved.

Thursday 3rd December

John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said “I am

the light of the world. Whoever follows me, will never

walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 4:4

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of

unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the

gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the

image of God.” (NIV)

Lord, help all struggling with addictions, be that

gambling, alcohol, drugs, pornography or even social

media and screens. We pray Lord that they will find

Your light in dark places. Open the minds of those who

do not yet believe.

Individual: Pray by name for neighbours, relatives,

friends, colleagues, who have yet to come to know

You. Amen

Home Group/Church: Ask everyone in your home

group or church to pray for at least 5 neighbours to

come to know You this Christmas.

Friday 4th December

Matthew 25:31-46 with focus on verse 35

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was

thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” (NIV)

Father, we pray for the growing numbers of

families, accessing FOODBANKS because they are

struggling to pay for food or bills. We thank you for

the many FOODBANKS that have grown up in local

neighbourhoods, all the outreach that churches do.

Help all the families struggling especially as Christmas

approaches and for generosity towards those most in

need in our communities. Amen


Individual: Donate some food at your local supermarket

if they add a percentage on to your donation, or directly

to a local FOODBANK.

Home Group/Church: Consider hosting a meal at

your local church for people living in the surrounding

streets. If you live in a wealthy neighbourhood, join up

with a church in a ‘poorer’ area and find a way together

of giving out food to the most vulnerable communities.

Consider volunteering on Christmas day in a homeless

shelter.

Saturday 5th December: He will be born in

Bethlehem

Micah prophesied about the birth of the Messiah 700

years before Jesus was born.

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small

among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me

one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are

from of old, from ancient times.” (NIV)

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during

the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to

Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been

born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and

have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and

all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together

all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law,

he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In

Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the

prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no

means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of

you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people

Israel.’”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found

out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search

carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report

to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way,

and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead

of them until it stopped over the place where the child

was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On

coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother

Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then

they opened their treasures and presented him with

gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having

been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they

returned to their country by another route.” (NIV)


Monday 7th December: see missional ideas

on page 9

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the

Law?”

Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord Your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is

the first and greatest commandment. And the second

is like it:’Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law

and the prophets hang on these two commandments.”

(NIV)

Father, with all the distractions of Christmas, we

can lose sight of the main point- You. Help us as we

prepare for Christmas to keep our eyes fixed on You.

As part of our love for You, help us to show love to our

neighbours in extravagant and creative ways, pointing

them towards You whenever we can. Amen.

Individual: Look out for neighbours with few visitors

and make a point of befriending them- we recommend

two people do this together rather than one. Please

see ‘Light Stories’ section of the booklet.

Home group/Church: The street where your church is,

do you know as a church the people living there? See

missional ideas on page 10 to get some idea of how to

change this.

Tuesday 8th December

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour

and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be

children of your Father in Heaven. He causes the sun

to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the

righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who

love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the

tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your

own people, what are you doing more than others? Do

not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as

your heavenly Father is perfect.” (NIV)

Father, we bless those who curse us, we pray for those

who persecute other Christians around the world and

in the UK. Help us to do good to those, with whom we

are not on the best terms. Amen

Individual: This Christmas think of someone who has

hurt you in the past. If it is safe to do so (it is not always

safe, if a victim of domestic abuse for example) be

reconciled with that person.

Home Group/Church: Are there any groups or

individuals who have caused problems for the Christian

21

community or people from other communities? Think

of radical ways to show love towards these people in

line with what the Holy Spirit tells you.

Wednesday 9th December

John 17:20-21

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who

will believe in Me through their word, that they all may

be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they

may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you

sent Me. (NKJV)

Father, forgive us for the times that we have divided

ourselves off from other Christians for cultural or

doctrinal reasons, failing to recognise that we are

ONE. Help us to work with other Christians locally, to

magnify our collective efforts. We pray for the success

of all Christian outreaches at Christmas and beyond

and may the sum of all our parts be greater than us

working individually. Amen

Individual: Reach out to another Christian on your

street who attends another church. See if you can pray

together, help each other or visit each other’s churches.

Home Group/Church: Plan to support another

Christian ministry or church over Christmas or in the

New Year. We no longer have time to separate ourselves

out. The hour of Jesus’ return is nearer than we think.

We must work together. Attend or volunteer at ‘Shine

Your Light’ outreaches put on by other churches.

Thursday 10th December

Matthew 18:21-35

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how

many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins

against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy

seven times.” (NIV - Read the parable of the unmerciful

servant Matthew 18:23-35) for full context.

Lord, help us to forgive those who have hurt us.

Reveal those people we think we have forgiven and yet

resentment and offense still linger in our hearts as a

result of past hurts. Help us to forgive in such a way

that it is like it never happened. Give us wisdom and

shine a light in the areas of our heart we conceal from

ourselves. Bring in restoration and healing to all broken

relationships. As we pray this for ourselves, we also pray

for our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends and our

neighbours. Let forgiveness and reconciliation reign in

our homes, in our streets and in our workplaces. Amen

Individual: This is deeply personal today. Who has hurt

you? Who do you need to forgive today? Speak to God

about this person specifically and be guided by Him

what your next steps are:

Home Group/Church: Who has upset you in church?

Most churches are full of people who, like us are on a

journey. In a church context, take a step to move on

from the hurt and if reconciliation is needed, reconcile.

Friday 11th December

Matthew 25:36

“I was in prison and you visited me…” (NIV)

Father, we pray for any neighbour who has been a

victim of crime. Bring healing and restoration. Help all

the families with a friend or relative in prison, to feel

accepted within the street and community where they

live. For children, who are often stigmatised because

of a Mum or Dad in prison- help them have genuine

friendships. Help all prison workers to be safe as they

work. We pray that no neighbour on our street will end

up in prison. For those doing things they know to be

wrong, ‘shine a light’ into dark places. Amen

Individual: Pray for Christian Chaplains in prisons and

for the work of the Prison Fellowship.

Home group/Church: Get involved with the Angel Tree

project run by the Prison Fellowship which gives the

opportunity for those in prison to send a Christmas

present to their children. Prison Fellowship volunteers

work with prison chaplains and local churches to

buy, wrap and deliver the presents. If prisoners are

allowed access to their children they are given the

opportunity to apply for a gift to be sent to them.

www.prisonfellowship.org.uk

Saturday 12th December: Slaughter of the

innocents

Jeremiah 31:15

“This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah,

mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her

children and refusing to be comforted, because they

are no more.” (NIV)

Matthew 2:13-18

The Escape to Egypt

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to

Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and

his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell

you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”


So, he got up, took the child and his mother during the

night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death

of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said

through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the

Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the

boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years

old and under, in accordance with the time he had

learned from the Magi. Then what was said through

the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great

mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing

to be comforted, because they are no more.” (NIV)

Monday 14th December:

Acts 2:42-47

“They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and

to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and

signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were

together and had everything in common. They sold

property and possessions to give to anyone who has

need. Every day they continued to meet together in the

temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and

ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God

and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord

added to their number daily, those who were being

saved.” (NIV)

Father, help us to be filled with such a passion for

You, that You will add daily to the number of people

in my street being saved. Give us the same generosity

evident in the first believers, who put others ahead of

themselves. Reveal to us those who have need and

help all of us keep our hearts and minds upon You this

Christmas.

Individual: Instead of spending more money on

Christmas presents, many of us do not need, give

‘Jesus’ a present this Christmas. Donate to a charity

working overseas with people living in poverty.

Consider if you are able, sponsoring a child overseas.

Home group/Church: Consider setting up an ‘Acts

2:44’ group. The idea is simple. On WhatsApp or

Facebook or similar, you have a group for your home

group or church. Each of you photographs items you

no longer need and post it on the group. Anyone in the

group who wants it on a first come, first serve basis,

can request the item for free. You may know of others

in your street who need the items and can request

them on their behalf.

Tuesday 15th December

John 13:34-35:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I

have loved you, so you must love one another. By this

everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you

love one another.” (NIV)

Father, this Christmas, we remember Christians

around the world, who are being persecuted for simply

believing in You. Forgive us, that we do not remember

them more in our prayers or in our giving. Also forgive

us that we so often forget the privilege we have, to

openly worship You. Give us wisdom this Christmas

and at all times of the year, to know how to make You

known on our streets. Amen

Individual: Consider lighting a candle in your window to

remember the persecuted Christian around the world.

Also find out about persecuted Christians around the

world and pray for them regularly.

Home Group/Church: How welcoming is your

church to the stranger or asylum seeker? Look for

local opportunities to welcome Christians fleeing

persecution. Consider talking to a ‘people group’

church such as Chinese speaking churches or Persian

speaking churches. Failing that, volunteer some time

at a place that welcomes refugees.


Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same

way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the

measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your

brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your

own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take

the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is

a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the

plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly

to remove the speck from your brother’s eye…” (NIV)

Father, help us to see past outward appearances and see

every individual as someone made in Your image and

loved by You. Cleanse from our hearts any prejudice based

on income, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation,

gender identity, criminal background or anything else

that makes someone different from ourselves.


23

Where we judge other people’s actions, often it is

something we do not like in ourselves. Help us purge

the things we get wrong in *thought, in word, in deed,

through negligence, through weakness, through our

own deliberate fault. Amen

* Inspired by the Anglican book of Common prayer communion

services.

Individual: All of us judge appearances, actions, views,

every day. Think of the person or people that spring

to mind. How can you do an act of kindness towards

them today?

Home group/Church: Consider reaching out to people

in prison or the families of those in prison in your local

area. Alternatively – we recommend women only for

this, visit sex workers and give them a rose, telling

them how much Jesus loves them.

Thursday 17th December

Psalm 133:1

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live in

unity.” (NIV)

Romans 12:3-5

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in

accordance with the faith has distributed to each of

you. For just as each of us has one body and many

members, and these members do not all have the

same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one

body and each member belongs to all the others.” (NIV)

Father, help us to find ways of working with other

Christians from different churches, traditions and

cultures, so that we may all hear Your call and march

together to the beating of the Father’s heart. Help us

rapidly accomplish Your plans and purposes for all the

people living on all the streets where we live, together

as one body. Amen

Individual: Invite a neighbour to a local Christian event,

even if it is not your church. Many of us attend churches

outside of our local area due to denominational/style

preferences.

Home Group/Church: Advertise a list of all mainstream

Christmas services to your immediate neighbours- it

doesn’t matter where your neighbours go, more that

they hear about Jesus, this Christmas time.


Matthew 25:35

“...I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (NIV)

Father, we pray that no-one on our street will face

Christmas day alone. Open our hearts to invite in the

stranger to our tables this Christmas and New Year.

Give us a generosity of heart to the stranger among

us. Amen

Please see ‘Light stories’ earlier in the guide.

Individual household: For safety we recommend this

activity is done with at least one other person. Ask

God to show you someone you should invite into your

home for food this Christmas.

Home Group/Church: On a wider scale, visit the homes

of your neighbours and make sure no-one is spending

Christmas alone. On a church level, a Christmas lunch

for the lonely could be organised, as could volunteering

in a homeless shelter this Christmas.

Saturday 19th December: Out of Egypt I call

my son

Hosea 11:1

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt

I called my son.” (NIV)

Matthew 2:19-23

“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a

dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the

child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for

those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went

to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus

was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he

was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream,

he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and

lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what

was said through the prophets, that he would be called

a Nazarene.” (NIV)

Monday 21st December

Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said.‘ All authority in

heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore,

go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy

Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have

commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to

the very end of the age.”


Lord, forgive us when we have disobeyed the command

to make disciples of all nations, instead believing it is

up to someone perhaps more qualified than ourselves.

Show us through your Holy Spirit, who we should be

talking to about You. Show us how you can use our

individual giftings and talents to share our own stories

of what You have done for us. Amen

Individual: Consider ordering some pocket Gospels

from the https://www.ptl.org

Simply give one out as the Holy Spirit leads.

Home Group/Church: Deliver St John’s Gospels to

your street, either by posting through the letter box

or having a conversation at the door. You could leave

a number for people to contact your church, if you

feel able to follow up well. These might work well with

prayer request cards.

Tuesday 22nd December

Psalm 68:6

“God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the

prisoners with singing, but the rebellious live in a sun

scorched land.” (NIV)

Lord, we pray for every single person on our street,

who is facing Christmas after the loss of someone due

to death or a broken relationship. Surround them with

people who love them and make them realise they

are not alone. Help us to reach out sensitively to the

broken hearted, knowing when to give people space,

but extend a hand of friendship. Amen

Individual: If you know of a neighbour, friend, relative,

colleague, who has lost someone this year- reach out

to them and let them know they are welcome in your

home over Christmas.

Home Group/Church: If anyone in your congregation

knows of anyone in this situation, organise a network

of families who can support people.

Wednesday 23rd December:

Isaiah 58:6-8

“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose

the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it

not to share food with the hungry and to provide the

poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked,

to clothe them and to not turn away from your own

flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the

dawn and your healing will quickly appear; and then

your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of

the Lord will be your rear guard.” (NIV)

Father, we remember all of those who are caught up

in the bonds of modern slavery, some of whom will

live in streets near us. Help us not to turn a blind eye

to the suffering around us and give us eyes to see

those hidden in plain sight. Lord reveal darkness in

our streets, shine Your light upon it, releasing modern

slaves. Lay a burden on the hearts of those accessing

pornography, to stop. Amen

Individual: Prayer-walk your street, praying for the

safety of everyone in every house.

Home Group/Church: Prayer walk your streets

together, praying for all children and every home.

Access the ‘A Mile with Jesus’ resource at www.

housesoflight.net to help you.

Thursday 24th December:

Matthew 25:36

“…I was sick and you looked after me…” (NIV)

Father, we pray for all hospital workers, paramedic

crews, district nurses, 111 operatives, care home

assistants, porters, cleaners- any health care worker,

living on our streets or working in our health care

system. Thank you for all the work that they do all year

round, but particularly when they are working shifts

over Christmas. Bring healing to our neighbours who

are sick with winter viruses or other illnesses. Amen

Individual: If you are aware of a sick neighbour over the

Christmas period, offer to make them meals as they

recover or go shopping for them.

Home group/Church: If there is anyone that you know

who is sick, visit them in hospital or in their home.

If there is anyone that you are aware of who is very

unwell, take it in turns to deliver food to them while

they recover.


25


Luke 2:1-21

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that

a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

(This was the first census that took place while

Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went

to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth

in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David,

because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged

to be married to him and was expecting a child. While

they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped

him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because

there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the

Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone

around them, and they were terrified. But the angel

said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news

that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the

town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the

Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will

find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host

appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth

peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into

heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go

to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,

which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and

the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had

seen him, they spread the word concerning what had

been told them about this child, and all who heard it

were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them

in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and

praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the

child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had

given him before he was conceived.” (NIV)

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to us as a baby. We

pray for all children on our street and in surrounding

streets this Christmas to enjoy the day. We ask for all

of them to be protected from harm this Christmas as

adults often drink more alcohol today. Help all churches

and Christians everywhere find a way of speaking the

truth about Jesus to every child, so that they may know

Him. Amen

Individual: Ring someone having a tough time this

Christmas, to check on them. It is not too late to invite

a neighbour round for food or offer them leftovers.

Saturday 26th December

Isaiah 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the

government will be on his shoulders. And he will be

called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting

Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV)

Isaiah 53, written 700 years before Jesus, (Yeshua)

died on the cross for us.

Isaiah 53:1-12

“Who has believed our message and to whom has the

arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a

root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty

to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that

we should desire him. He was despised and rejected

by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with

pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he

was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely,

he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we

considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and

afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that

brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we

are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each

of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has

laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed

and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was

led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before

its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet

who of his generation protested? For he was cut off

from the land of the living; for the transgression of my

people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with

the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he

had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to

suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering

for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After

he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be

satisfied;by his knowledge my righteous servant will

justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore


I will give him a portion among the great, and he will

divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured

out his life unto death, and was numbered with the

transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made

intercession for the transgressors.” (NIV)

Pray for any on your street that may have had a difficult

Christmas.

Monday 28th December

Psalm 42:1-2

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul

pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the

living God. When can I go and meet with God.” (NIV)

Start praying and fasting for your street and the year

ahead. Ask God to reveal to You what He wants to see

happen on Your street and in Your community.

Join in with your home group/church community in

prayer.

Prayer-walk your street and community using the

‘A Mile with Jesus resource’ available for download at

Housesoflight.net

Tuesday 29th December:


John 1:12-13

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in

his name, he gave the right to become children of Godchildren

born not of natural descent or a husband’s

will, but born of God.” (NIV)

Write the names/numbers of 5 homes which you will

commit to praying for throughout 2026 and place

these names on your fridge, so that every time you go

to the fridge, you pray for these homes.

Thursday 31st December

Isaiah 43: 18-20

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you

not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the

wasteland.”

What is God asking of you this coming year? Consider

your relationship with God- are you happy with your

prayer life? Are you happy with how often you read

the Bible. Spend sometime asking God about the year

ahead and how You will approach it together.

Psalm 139:7-12

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from

your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise

on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of

the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right

hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will

hide me and light become night around me,” even the

darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like

day and the darkness is as light to you.” (NIV)

Get a blank piece of paper and as you pray, fill it with

the things God wants to see happen in Your street

and community. Spend a day listening to what God is

saying.


27

BEACONS OF LIGHT

3 Houses of Light (individuals or households)

joining together as a prayer triplet to pray for

their streets, postcode and the UK.

JOIN US NOW

HOUSESOFLIGHT.NET


INTRODUCING

BEACONS OF LIGHT

Mark 11:23

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go

throw yourself into the sea, ‘ and does not doubt in

their heart but believes that what they say will happen,

it will be done for them.” (NIV)

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree

about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by

my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in

my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)

What is a Beacon of Light?

A Beacon of Light is 3 Houses of Light (an individual

or household) who meet together to pray once a week

for half an hour. We recommend Beacons meet 3 times

a month virtually over WhatsApp, zoom or similar

and once a month physically, ideally over a fellowship

meal. The prayer triplet can be 3 people from the same

street, or ideally 3 streets in the same postcode area.

How it works…

Your Streets -10 minutes for the 3 represented streets

• Pray for any issues or concerns you have for your

neighbours and street.

• Pray for opportunities to get to know your neighbours

and share your faith.

Your postcode area- 10 minutes

•Pray for churches to be a light and witness.

• Pray for unity across churches.

UK Streets- 10 minutes

• For God’s light to shine on every street.

Is God saying anything to your church, house group or

prayer group?

For more information about Beacons of Light –

www.housesoflight.net

Why do a Beacon of Light?

Many of the members of our community report that

it can be difficult to keep praying for your own street

over a long period of time, especially when you are on

your own. Praying with 2 or 3 others means that you

will stay motivated. Jesus also tells us that where 2 or

3 are gathered in His name, He will be there with us.

(Matthew 18:20). We believe that Beacons of Light are

powerful and we are hoping for at least one Beacon

of Light in as many churches as possible, to fan the

flames of revival. Visit our website today, to sign up.


29

NATIONAL

DAY OF

PRAYER AND

WORSHIP

MONTH OF

PRAYER

2027 32 DAYS

OF PRAYER AND

BEYOND…

The 32-day initiative, which

begins at Midnight on Tuesday

5th January and ends on

Midnight on Saturday 6th

February at 8am. Please visit

the ndopw website for more

information- click here.

Here we tell the story of what

happened in 2026.

Marked by Scripture, worship, silence, repentance,

intercession and praise, thousands of participants over

the period joined hour by hour from diverse locations,

churches, and backgrounds, maintaining what

organisers describe as a “continuous flame of prayer”,

an experience widely described as both “humbling and

transformative”.

Throughout the prayer wave, many national leaders

joined from denominations and para-church ministries

to encourage, including two Church of England Bishops

during the last week.

comes next,” said Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, Founder

and Convenor of the National Day of Prayer & Worship

(NDOPW), as he called participants to move forward

with renewed focus and a Kingdom mindset.

“This was never meant to be an event we complete, but

a posture we carry,” said Pastor Oloyede. “The Lord has

shown us that sustained, united prayer is not optional

for the Church in this hour, it is essential. What we are

entering now is a rhythm of devotion that can shape

nations, awaken the Church, and release heaven’s

grace in extraordinary ways.”

Christians Across the UK to enter a new

‘Rhythm of United Prayer’ as 32 Days of

Continuous Intercession Concludes

FOLLOWING the completion of 32 Days of intense

Online Continuous Prayer, Christians across the UK

are invited to step into a new, sustained rhythm of

united intercession through a Digital Prayer Chapel,

now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Digital Prayer Chapel: A Shared House

of Prayer

The Digital Prayer Chapel is now live and accessible

around the clock, providing intercessors with a

continuous space for prayer and devotion. NDOPW

emphasises that the focus is not on filling time slots,

but on cultivating shared spiritual discipline and unity.

Christians are encouraged to invite friends, prayer

partners, and church groups, reinforcing the power of

corporate prayer.

New facilitated prayer times have been introduced:

12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight. Prayer leaders

stepping into these hours are to be covered in prayer

for strength, protection, and joy.

Shine at Midnight Returns - Weekly

NDOPW has also announced that its well-known

Shine at Midnight prayer and worship watch will now

take place weekly, running from Friday midnight to

Saturday 8am. This overnight watch will serve as a

regular anchor moment for the Church to pray through

the night together.

What began as a simple invitation quickly became

a shared spiritual journey. As the final Prayer Watch

concluded, “the atmosphere felt less like a closing

chapter and more like a commissioning into what


Prayer Rhythm for 2026 and beyond

As 2026 continues to unfold amid significant

national and global challenges, participants are being

encouraged to embrace a consistent pattern of prayer

and fasting, including choosing one day each month

- or one day each week - to fast. The shared prayer

rhythm now includes:

12:00 midnight – Start the day in prayer

7am – Rise at dawn

12:00 noon – Stand at midday

7pm – Pray at sunset

Friday Midnight Vigil – Weekly

Digital Prayer Chapel – Open 24/7

Daily Fasting Chain

Looking Ahead

NDOPW now has over 1,000 ‘Gideons’ intentionally

praying and fasting each week as part of this

community. Leaders of NDOPW have expressed deep

gratitude to the thousands of Christians across all

four nations of the UK who prayed, participated in and

helped establish a rhythm of prayer during the opening

month of 2026, prayers, they believe, which will bear

fruit for years to come.

Speaking this week, Pastor Oloyede said: “Inspired

by Acts 2,‘They devoted themselves… to prayer’,

Christians across all denominations and networks

are encouraged throughout 2026 to share the Digital

Prayer Chapel and prayer platform with their home

churches, and with Christian communities worldwide.

As the second month of 2026 starts, our news is

filled with tensions between nations, declining moral

integrity among some in high public office, injustice,

civil unrest, and fear. The call is clear: for the Church to

arise, shine, and be strengthened by fresh grace from

heaven, believing for awakening in this generation.”

Throughout 2026 and into 2027, new prayer resources

will be will be added to the NDOPW website, alongside

further opportunities for individuals, churches, and

networks to unite in prayer.

To join in the Digital Prayer Chapel for one of

the facilitated times of prayer, please visit:

www.ndopw.com/dailyprayer


31

BEYOND THE

LET TERBOX

JOIN US IN

PRAYING FOR

YOUR STREET.

DOWNLOAD

THIS FREE

RESOURCE

TO GET YOU

STARTED ON

YOUR STREET.

GETTING STARTED IN

MAGNIFYING JESUS

IN YOUR STREET

Ideal for home groups, individuals

or missional communities

• 7 weekly scriptures and reflections.

• 40 days of prayer for your street

• 40 acts of kindness for your neighbours

Week 5: Generosity

Read: Acts 2:42-47

5. How do you as an individual Christian and your

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching

church as a whole; compare with the Acts 2 church?

PART I

Week 1:

Luke10:25-37 (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to

test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to

inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do

you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your

heart and with all your soul and with all your strength

and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as

yourself.”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do

this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus,

“And who is my neighbour?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from

Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by

robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him

and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest

happened to be going down the same road, and when

he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw

him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan,

as he travelled, came where the man was; and when

he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him

and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him

to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took

out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look

after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse

you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour

to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had

mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Reflection:

Samaritans were despised in Jesus’ time and yet in this

story, Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero of the story.

The priest and the Levite, both religious men, crossed

over the side of the road, to the other side. There

were several reasons they may have done this. They

may have thought that the man was dead. The law

of Moses said that if someone touched a dead body,

BEYOND THE LETTERBOX

GETTING STARTED IN ‘MAGNIFYING JESUS IN YOUR STREET.

they became ‘unclean’ until a certain time had passed.

They may have been worried about getting involved or

they may simply have been too busy or late. It is also

possible that they were afraid for their own safety.

Whatever the reason or reasons, they had their own

priorities and did not stop to help.

The Samaritan ignored the plans he already had and

chose to get involved, at great cost. He diverted his

time and his money to helping a stranger he did not

know and who he probably suspected would not

be able to repay him. Compassion was no doubt the

driving force for helping the man in need.

Questions

1. Who are the Samaritans in your street?

2. What reasons do you have for not getting to know

your neighbours?

3. Who would the priests represent today?

4. List some problems you know your neighbours are

facing.

5. Can you imagine some of the problems your

neighbours might be facing right now that you do

not know about? List them…

Neighbour Challenge 1:

Walk up and down your street each day, asking anyone

you bump into whether they live nearby. Make a note

of the houses and the names of the people you bump

into (perhaps helping you identify your 5 neighbours

on page 6.

and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to

prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many

wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44

All the believers were together and had everything

in common. 45 They sold property and possessions

to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they

continued to meet together in the temple courts. They

broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad

and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the

favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their

number daily those who were being saved.

Reflection

In this passage, we see the church growing extremely

fast. How different is it from our own experience? Some

of us reading this will be in churches that are growing

quickly and some who are in shrinking congregations.

Why did the early church grow so fast?

I don’t think that we can glean one simple answer from

this passage, but there are some things of particular

relevance; to our street!

The people followed the teachings of Jesus and the

Apostles, in their daily lives. They met with other

Christians regularly, had communion regularly and they

prayed regularly. The fruit of this was that they were a

very generous people, sharing all that they had, with

those less fortunate. They gave thanks to God for what

they did have. They were an attractive community, a

magnetic community, to those around them. They

showed love to one another and to those outside their

community. They did not conceal their faith, they were

very visible. People around them could not but notice

what was going on. God was moving among them.

The church is not just a meeting place, where services

are held, it is the people who attend, who are the

church, in our homes, our streets, our villages, our

towns, our cities and in the UK.

Questions

1. Do you meet up with any other Christians to pray

regularly outside of church services?

2. Do you study the teachings of the Bible, especially

Jesus’ teachings and apply them to your life?

3. Do you thank God for everything that you have,

rather than complaining about what you don’t have?

4. Are you generous with time, money and resources?

Neighbour challenge 5:

BEYOND THE LETTERBOX

GETTING STARTED IN ‘MAGNIFYING JESUS IN YOUR STREET.

Is there something you can give to a neighbour in

need? Make it a priority this week to be generous to at

least one neighbour. Ask God to show you someone in

need this week.

Week 6: Humility and Hospitality

Read Luke 14:7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places

of honour at the table, he told them this parable:

8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast,

do not take the place of honour, for a person more

distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so,

the host who invited both of you will come and say

to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated,

you will have to take the least important place. 10 But

when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that

when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend,

move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured

in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those

who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who

humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give

a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends,

your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich

neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and

so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet,

invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and

you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you,

you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Reflection

What is your attitude towards others? Do you think

that you are better than some people or worse? Do

13

8


SPECIAL

THANKS TO…

Shine Your Light as valued partners, Rick Yates for

design, Natasha Ruddock for website, RCCG Place

of Victory Swansea and Neath Methodist circuit

without whom this guide would be possible. Special

thanks to Lisa Hutt, Rachael Fola-Taiwo, Carl Brettle,

Reuben Brettle, all the trustees past and present.

Most importantly thank you to all members of

Houses of Light and Shine Your Light, for your

continued commitment to prayer and advancing the

Kingdom of God.

DONATE TO

OUR WORK.

This resource has been provided to you free

at the point of use. This and other resources

cost us money to produce. If you are in a

financial position to donate to our workplease

www.housesoflight.net.

Your donation will also help us spread our

work to more streets around the UK.

Rick Yates has designed this guide.

If you are in need of design work,

we recommend him.

DESIGNBY RICKYATESDESIGN&ILLUSTRATION

e • rickyatesdi@icloud.com w • rickyatesdi.myportfolio.com


33

MAGNIFYING JESUS ON OUR STREETS

Houses Of Light, 161 New Road, Skewen, Neath, SA10 6HD | Charity Number 1150306

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