Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. – Hebrews 13:3
If we are part of the body of Christ, we must continually remember in prayer those who are suffering because of their faith. We must imagine we are in the prison with them, the writer of Hebrews says?and pray from that place of empathy.
Oh God, have mercy on our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Continue to strengthen their faith, and may our faith be strengthened by their testimony. Make us ready, too, to boldly share our faith in spite of persecution.
Work willingly in whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – Colossians 3:23
Union County has many nonprofits that do a fantastic job in South Arkansas and all of Arkansas. The work they do is HARD! They work many hours to raise funds to keep outstanding services and ministry efforts hitting on all 8 cylinders. Many in our community are not aware of the great services they provide and how important it is.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for every non-profit organization that is serving the people of El Dorado and Union County. We pray your blessings on their leaders and workers. Help them in their mission as they recruit volunteers and raise funds. Give them revolutionary ideas that will make great difference int the lives of people. Thank you, God, for the many non-profits in our community. In Jesus Name, Amen
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. – John 17:20-23
What would God pray for if He were to pray? We know what He would pray because He did in John 17. Jesus asked the Father that His followers would all be one just as the Triune God is one. Mutual love serving one another. This would bring about the conversion of the nations and help all to recognize that God loves them desperately.
Father, we pray with Jesus that you would help us to be one, unified in our love for you and one another. That we could get past ourselves and our clung-to differences. We pray that You would demonstrate through us Who you are. Demonstrate in us Your love for all humanity. Please bless each congregation in this city and surrounding area. Help us to show Jesus in us and to see Jesus in each other. We pray in Jesus’ name.
1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. – Titus 2:1-2; 6-8
Titus 2 provides a mentoring process designed by God that challenges us to walk in holiness, in order to glorify God and point people to Jesus. Titus 2:7 says, Show yourself in all respect to be a model for others of good works. When men seek to live in holiness to God, we not only want to please God, but we want to become a Christlike example to the younger men, pointing them back to Jesus. There will be times we mess up, but thank the Lord for His amazing grace that picks us up and continues to lead us to holiness.
Lord, we’re thankful for the salvation you bring to those who place their faith in you. We also thank you for the Holy Spirit in our lives which enables us to walk in holiness. We pray that our men would be, sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. (v. 2) We pray that they would teach and model good works, integrity, dignity, and sound speech (v. 7-8) to the younger men. Thank you for your grace and mercy in leading us. Amen.
But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment. – John 16:7-8
The third person of the Trinity is to be praised! He helps us and convicts us and the sinner. Without Him, we would be powerless to achieve the Gospel Mandate.
May the Holy Spirit be praised! May He not be grieved in our city, but may He convict our citizens and guide us into all truth and righteousness. We praise the Spirit for helping us through every situation this city has faced, and the promise of His help for every situation we will face. May the Holy Spirit be praised!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
If you were given a one pound weight, how long could you hold it out in front of you? It may not be a lot at first, but over time we will give out from exhaustion. We often try and do the same thing with the tough situations in our own lives. Holding tight to the struggle is not how God intended us to respond to our hardships. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. All we must do is ask.
Lord, we lift up the local business owners here in El Dorado. We thank them for their commitment towards our community by providing both our wants and needs. Father, we pray that every local business owner would feel comforted and strengthened knowing that you are our refuge and our strength. That whatever life may throw our way, you are a very present help when we call out to you. I pray that they will be encouraged by the strength we have through you by being the hands and feet of Jesus to the lost. Thank you for your sacrifice of your son in n the cross for our sins and thank you for blessings we have all received. Amen.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him – Psalm 28:7 (KJV)
Today we pray for all of those serving in the military. We are very thankful for the great service they do in keeping our nation safe. May we pray that they will not only be kept safe and out of harm’s way, but also for them to have great strength from the Lord.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the men and women who serve in the United States military. Though we do not all know what they go through each day, You do. Help keep them safe, strengthen not only their bodies, but also their spirits, as well as bring them home safely to their family and friends. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9
We almost always think of wealth and poverty in financial terms. As we look at our own lives and at the lives of our neighbors, we must consider our spiritual health. How can I grow in my faith while encouraging my neighbor to do the same? How would a healthy spiritual life improve my day-to-day life?
God, please enrich our spiritual lives. May we seek after you as hard as we seek after financial gain. Give us the compassion and patience of Christ as we work for the good of everyone in our city.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. – Psalm 71:9
For many people visiting nursing homes, it is not a pleasant thing to do. Caring for others and doing good deeds is not always easy. Over 1.5 million Americans live in these facilities today, and visiting and praying for them are ways we can show our love for them. Jesus told us, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. – Matthew 25:40
Lord, we are thankful for nursing homes and for those who dedicate their lives to care for our older friends. For those living in these homes, we ask you to give them comfort and joy. We pray that they feel your presence and know they are precious to you. We pray they are treated with dignity and respect. We also ask You to be with their families and caregivers who have a challenging job. Please give them strength when they become tired, and help them to be sensitive to the needs of these wonderful loved ones. In Jesus? name, Amen
Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
Our medical professionals greet each new day with the desire to help patients. Every day brings some of the same challenges but also new ones to be addressed. The stress and strain are hard most days and many consider changing professions, but their commitment to the profession is strong and they remain.
Lord, we ask that you be with all healthcare workers of our city, state, and the world. Give them your blessing daily and help them remember to call upon you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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