DAY 32:  Those Battling Presently Incurable Diseases

And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth…Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him…He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and spread the clay on his eyes, And said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, which is interpreted, Sent. He went therefore, and washed, and he came seeing. -John 9:1,3, 6-7

 

CONSIDER: Why does God allow evil, such as incurable diseases?  He allows evil so that a greater good may come from it, so that “the works of God should be made manifest”.  The greatest suffering of the world (the crucifixion and death of the Lord) came with the greatest good (our salvation).  Our suffering only finds meaning when it is united with His.

 

PRAY: Dear God, We pause to pray for all those who face an incurable disease.  Lord, we have known many people who received the word that nothing more could be done for them medically speaking.  Some of these dear people are still alive today.  Teach us to live each day to its fullest.  We know that all of us are going to physically die one day.  Give us wisdom to face this challenge.  We are all terminal. Thank you for sending the great healer in Jesus name we pray.  Amen

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 31:  Those Unreached with the Gospel 

Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. – Luke 15:3-7

CONSIDER: Jesus’s calls his church to reach and to rejoice. To reach means the church must take the gospel message to the one that has wandered away and is hardest to find. To rejoice means the church shouts a song of praise when even one lost sheep is found. When is the last time you reached one? When is the last time you rejoiced over one?

 

PRAY: Heavenly Father, focus our eyes on the lost sheep of El Dorado. Well up within your church an unquenchable desire to reach and rejoice. I pray that you would open the eyes of every Christian in our community to reach one lost sheep over these 40 days. Amen.

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 30: Homeless in our Community 

READ: Mark 5:1-20 (Jesus Heals the Demoniac) 

 

CONSIDER: 

#1 God’s Word is POWERFUL– Supernatural events won’t change your life, but God’s Word will.  Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by God’s word of Christ.  This event will give you…

#2 CONFIDENCE– God is all-powerful.  Every problem and trial is under His control, and will end, stop the moment Christ chooses.  Plus, everything you need will happen the moment Christ wills.  You, as God’s child, are right where He wants you.  Plus, this will give you… 

#3 HOPE– There is no evil God cannot overcome-evil around you or in in you.  There is no pattern of sinfulness that can’t be washed away.  Plus, Christ can transform the most rotten person you know- there’s hope!…#4 PEACE– In Christ, there is nothing to be afraid of.  This is one of the scariest events in the Bible- a blood curdling moment.  Yet Jesus was unmoved, not afraid, in control and super compassionate to the real needs of others, even those who reject Him.  And that same Spirit of peace lives in you!…#5 MISSION– Not only can a filthy sinner like this man be washed, made whole and redeemed, but he was also commissioned to represent that same wonderful Christ who showed you mercy and to share the good news of that mercy to others enslaved by sin.

 

PRAY: Glorious God, help us not to be hypocrites of lip service but the disciples of action.  Keep our hearts soft enough to keep hearing the cry of the homeless.  Remind us, O God that we cannot fully rest secure in our homes every night until all your people are, at last, home.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

 

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DAY 29:  Teachers, Administrators, other School Employees

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. – Paul (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

  

CONSIDER: We are all called to different ministries,  as teachers, administrators and other school workers;  this is a special calling from God to teach our future leaders in this community.  Continue the good work!

 

PRAY: All knowing father thank you for calling us all into different ministries.  Please continue to give wisdom, knowledge, grace and mercy to all the teachers and administrators. God, give them the understanding of what a great responsibility this is and that you will give them all they need daily to continue to make a difference in this world. Amen

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 28:  Those incarcerated (and their families on the outside)

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.  -Hebrews 13:1-3

CONSIDER: The author of Hebrews tells us to remember those who are in prison.  He does not give us an explanation as to why they are in prison.  He simply says, ‘remember those in prison.’  Then he instructs us to identify with those in prison by saying, ‘as if you were together with them in prison.’  In another words, try to put yourselves in their shoes.  Think about what they face each day and what they are going through in their condition.  More than 5 million children, or one in 14, in the U.S. have had a parent in state or federal prison at some point in their lives, according to the Casey Foundation.  We are not to ignore the many families who are dealing with life without a father or mother at home due to a prison sentence.  Hebrews 13:3 tells us to keep on loving one another.  This means showing hospitality to those who need it.  This means we seek to reach out to those who are facing life without a significant family member.  

PRAY: Heavenly Father, we come before your presence in the Mighty name of Jesus. We come today interceding for those who are incarcerated and their families. We pray that their physical, emotional and spiritual needs will be met. We pray that while they are behind bars  they find hope and joy in your Word. Let them know Lord regardless of who or what they’ve done you have not forsaken or forgotten them. Help them to know that You are Sovereign over all things and your still God even in their darkest hour. Regardless of how long they may serve, you will always give them and their family your presence, peace, and provisions. We pray Lord that if one don’t know you as Lord and Savior, they will surrender their all unto You. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer today. In Jesus name, Amen

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 27:  Wisdom in Navigating Social Media and Culture

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” – Paul (Colossians 3:17)

 

CONSIDER: Some of the best posts on social media are the posts you delete. Don’t let a screen give you the courage to be mean. Is it kind?  Is it encouraging?  Is it necessary?

Most of all, does it provide a good representation of Christ?

 

PRAY: Dear Lord, even when issues ignite our passions, help us to spend our time praying rather than posting.  May we represent You in all we do.

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 26: All Leaders in Government 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

 

CONSIDER: We usually here this verse around the Christmas season. It is a verse that not only reminds us of Christ’s birth, but that He was sent to save a sinful world and that all nations, people and rulers are hopeless without Christ. 

 

PRAY: Dear Lord, we live in a broken nation in a broken world. I thank you for the gift of your Son, that we may have a hope in Him. We now live in a day and time where evil is called good and good is called evil just as your Word has predicted. I come to You today to ask that You place Your hand on our nations leaders and the leaders of this world. I pray that they come to have a personal relationship with You and that they govern under Your guidance and grace. I pray that, while they may rule over mighty nations, that they will have an understanding that You are sovereign and that it is You that will reign for ever and ever. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 25:  Safety in Schools

As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young; as it spreads its wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on its pinions, -Deuteronomy 32:11

CONSIDER: I well remember the tears welling up in my eyes when our oldest walked into kindergarten for the first time. Life had changed. I no longer had the illusion of control over her safety and wellness. She was in the hands of others whom I had to trust to keep her safe. All parents must face something similar at some point. We trust teachers, staff, and administrators to make sure that our loved ones get home every day to tell us what they have learned. Yet, our past has shown us that these same teachers, staff, and administrators can only do so much. The image of our loving God hovering over my children like an eagle to shelter and shield them gives me peace when I fear for our kids. Above all of the children and adults that fill our school buildings is the love of God that reaches out like the wings of eagles to keep them from harm.

 

PRAY: O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be safe centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 24:  Praise for Answered Prayer 

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – I John 5:14-15

CONSIDER: God loves to answer the prayers of His people.  His answers may not always come with yes, but they will come according to His will.  

 

PRAY: We thank You Heavenly Father for answered prayer.  You have promised to hear our prayers and if we know Youhear us, then we are confident in Your answers.  I praise You for being such an awesome God who answers prayer.  We thank you for the answers that come even when You say no or wait.  In Jesus name amen.  

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas 

DAY 23:  Firefighters & Police officers

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” –Paul (Philippians 2:3-5)

 

CONSIDER: Of all the members of our community, no one embodies more completely the idea of putting the welfare of other above that of themselves than the brave men and women proudly serving in our Fire and Police Departments

PRAY: Kind Father we lift up to you this day all those who have chosen a path of true service.  The men and women who serve as first responders display the best of humanity and help provide a safer community for all.  May they never tire in their efforts and may your protection go before them at all times.  In Jesus name we humbly ask.  Amen  

 

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas