Basic Scripture Bible Reading 15th December 2025 Prayer Points and Declarations

Basic Scripture Bible Reading 15th December 2025 Prayer Points and Declarations

BASIC SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 5: 9-24

Basic Scripture Bible Reading: 15th December 2025

The Full Scripture Reading (King James Version):

MATTHEW 5:9-24 (KJV):
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Introduction:
On this 15th day of December 2025, just ten days before we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we are called to examine the radical nature of Christ’s kingdom as revealed in the Sermon on the Mount. Today’s passage moves from the beatitudes to the heart of relational righteousness. Jesus begins with the profound blessing upon peacemakers—those actively creating shalom in a fractured world—and culminates with the startling command to prioritize reconciliation over religious ritual. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, this scripture challenges us to embody the peace Christ came to establish, starting with our own relationships. Let us approach this word not merely as instruction, but as the very life-pattern of those who call themselves children of God.

FINISH READING: Our Daily Manna Worldwide 15th December 2025 TOPIC: THE RUSSIAN APOLOGY!

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Prayer Points (Anchored in KJV Scripture):

1. Prayer to Become a True Peacemaker
   *Heavenly Father, You have declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Forgive me for the times I have been a peace-breaker or a peace-faker. Fill me with the wisdom, courage, and grace of Christ, the ultimate Peacemaker, that I may actively sow reconciliation in my family, workplace, and community. Make me an instrument of Your shalom.*

2. Prayer for Strength in Righteous Persecution
   Lord Jesus, You taught us to rejoice when “men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matthew 5:11). When my commitment to Your ways brings misunderstanding or opposition, strengthen my heart. Help me to “rejoice, and be exceeding glad” (Matthew 5:12), finding my reward and identity in You alone, just as the prophets did.

3. Prayer to Retain Spiritual Savour and Shine as Light
   *Father, You have called me to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). Preserve my spiritual savor; prevent my testimony from becoming bland or compromised. Keep my lamp burning brightly. Help me to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).*

4. Prayer for a Righteousness That Exceeds the External
   *Sovereign God, Jesus declared that my righteousness must “exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matthew 5:20) to enter the kingdom. Deliver me from a righteousness of mere rule-keeping and appearance. Work in me a righteousness from the heart—a transformation that fulfills the spirit of Your law through love, empowered by Your grace.*

5. Prayer for Healing from the Root of Anger
   *Holy Spirit, You reveal through Christ that harbored anger puts me “in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:22). Search my heart. Uncover any root of bitterness, resentment, or unjust anger toward a brother or sister. Heal my emotions. Replace every “Raca” (empty insult) and judgmental thought with Christ-like compassion and humility.*

6. Prayer for Courage to Pursue Reconciliation
   Lord, Your command is clear: “first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:24). Bring to my mind any person who has “ought against me” (Matthew 5:23). Grant me the humility to initiate reconciliation, even if I feel wronged. Give me the words to speak, and prepare both our hearts for restoration, that my worship may be unhindered.

7. Prayer for the Fulfillment of God’s Law Through Love
   Jesus, You came not “to destroy the law, or the prophets” but “to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). Write Your fulfilled law of love upon my heart. Help me to understand and live the deeper intent of Your commandments, moving beyond the letter to the spirit, as one under Your grace and empowered by Your Spirit.

8. Prayer for the Church as a Reconciling Community
   Father, build Your Church as a city on a hill—a visible community of peacemakers and reconcilers (Matthew 5:14, 9). May our unity and love for one another be our greatest testimony to the world, drawing many to glorify You. Heal divisions and make us ministers of Your reconciliation in a polarized world.

9. Prayer for Protection from a Judgmental Spirit
   Merciful God, guard my tongue and my heart from contempt. Keep me from the pride that says “Thou fool” (Matthew 5:22) to another made in Your image. Cultivate in me a spirit of gentleness and reverence for every person, seeing them as You see them, and leaving all judgment rightly to You.

10. Prayer for Worship Rooted in Right Relationships
    Lord, I desire to bring my gifts of worship, prayer, and service to You. Teach me the priority of relational integrity. Before I seek Your face in worship, send me to mend what is broken with my neighbor. May my vertical worship always flow from a heart committed to horizontal reconciliation, making my offerings pleasing to You.

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Declarations (Based on KJV Scripture):

1. I declare that I am blessed as a peacemaker. I am called a child of God, and I actively participate in His work of reconciliation in my world (Matthew 5:9).

2. I declare that when I am insulted, persecuted, or falsely accused because of my loyalty to Christ, I will rejoice. My reward in heaven is great, and I stand in the company of the prophets (Matthew 5:11-12).

3. I declare that I am the salt of the earth, preserving godly influence around me. I am the light of the world, and I will not hide my faith. My life shines so others may see Christ and glorify the Father (Matthew 5:13-16).

4. I declare that my righteousness is in Christ—it exceeds external religion because it is a righteousness of the heart, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:20).

5. I declare that I renounce all anger without cause. I will not harbor bitterness or contempt in my heart, for I choose the way of the kingdom, which values every person (Matthew 5:22).

6. I declare that reconciliation takes priority over ritual. Before I offer my worship to God, I will pursue peace with anyone who has something against me (Matthew 5:23-24).

7. I declare that Christ has fulfilled the law, and I now live in the Spirit of the law, which is love. Every jot and tittle finds its “yes” and “amen” in Him (Matthew 5:17-18).

8. I declare that I am a city set on a hill. My life in Christ cannot and will not be hidden. I am visible evidence of God’s grace and transformative power.

9. I declare that I am freed from a judgmental spirit. I extend the same mercy I have received from God to others, knowing that judgment belongs to the Lord alone.

10. I declare that my worship is acceptable to God because it flows from a heart at peace with Him and actively seeking peace with others. My gifts on the altar are sweet incense because my relationships reflect His love.

Closing Prayer:
Prince of Peace, we thank You for this radical, life-giving teaching. Forgive us for the times we have valued religious activity over right relationships, and outward compliance over inward transformation. As we prepare to celebrate Your coming to earth, make us true peacemakers. Empower us by Your Spirit to be salt that preserves and light that reveals. Give us the courage to seek reconciliation before we seek Your altar. May our lives, from the hidden thoughts of our hearts to our most public actions, bring glory to our Father in heaven. Shape us into the people of the Beatitudes, for Your name’s sake and for the healing of the world. In Jesus’ holy name, we pray, Amen.

KEY TAKEAWAY: The kingdom of heaven prioritizes relationships over rituals, heart transformation over rule-keeping, and active peacemaking over passive piety. True worship to God is inseparable from reconciled relationships with others. As we anticipate celebrating the birth of the ultimate Reconciler, we are called to embody His ministry of peace in every sphere of our lives.