DAY 35: Those unreached with the gospel

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

OBSERVATION: The scene with Zacchaeus provides Luke’s Gospel with its ultimate statement about Jesus. Jesus knew His purpose on earth. His purpose was not to reform the Jewish religion. His purpose was not to prove the Pharisees wrong. His purpose was not to bring in a military, political kingdom. His purpose was to bring salvation to lost people which include you and me. Jesus dedicated the three years of his earthly ministry to finding people who knew they were lost and showing them God’s way of salvation; the way of repentance and faith.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You that You thought enough of us to leave the shining courts of glory to come to earth on a seek and rescue mission. You commended Your love toward us in that while we were yet sinners You died for us. But, we realize that there are so many who remain lost because we as believers have failed to be the witnesses that You’ve called us to be. It’s our prayer that we focus our attention on what’s important. And that is, sharing the good news with the lost, the least and the left out. And so, we come boldly to Thy throne of grace that we might obtain mercy and grace to help in our time of need. We pray that we’d have a burning zeal to share You with the lost souls of city and having as our battle cry that You didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. We ask it all in the powerful, precious and preeminent name of Jesus, amen

DAY 34: Government leaders on all levels and the decisions they make

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” – I Timothy 2:1-3

OBSERVATION: We pause for a moment, to offer up a prayer for our president, for the cabinet, and for government leaders on all levels and the decisions they make.

PRAYER: We stop today and pray as the scripture has taught us. We know that you have called us to pray for our leaders! In doing this Lord, help us to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. We

believe this is good and acceptable in thy sight. May our leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. Lord, we ask that you look graciously upon our leadership. Give them wisdom for the facing of the challenges of our nation. Where there is pride, subdue it. Where there is a need, supply it. Where there is error, rectify it. Where there is default, restore it. Lord, let thy will be done. We offer this prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

DAY 33: Thanks for our freedoms and liberties

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But do not use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

OBSERVATION: If we are not careful, freedom can be mistaken for license. Although we are free we are NOT at liberty to do anything and everything we want. If we love one another we will use our freedom for the betterment of people rather than use it to do them harm.

PRAYER: Holy Father who grants us an abundance of freedom, we thank you so much that you gave us your Son to free us from the bondage of sin. We are thankful that we live in a country that affords us the freedom to worship you freely. Being mindful of the fact that is so easy for us to misuse our freedoms to others harm, we pray that you will give us the wisdom to always us our freedom in this great country wisely. Help to be thankful for all of the freedoms we enjoy in this country and to seize every opportunity to use our freedoms to benefit others. Amen

DAY 32: Wisdom in navigating social media and culture

  • “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
  • “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
  • “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

    • OBSERVATION: Navigating social media in this current culture can be difficult for one who wants to please Jesus in everything we do, say, and even think. When something has the ability to be used for great evil or great good, how should the follower of Christ engage? I believe Scripture can guide us in whether to participate, and if so, how to participate.

    PRAYER: “O Lord Jesus, please give us wisdom in our use of social media. It is being used as an instrument of evil by the world, and even believers can elevate it to idol status if we are not careful. Protect us from allowing social media to rob us of our time, money, and affections, which should rightly go to You. Help us to not put anything on social media that would not bring You glory, and that would not help us be the fragrance of Christ to those who are reading what we say. Help us to only write what points to the greatness of Jesus and the Good News of His life, death, and resurrection. May we use social media to get this Gospel to the nations for Your glory, which is why we have breath. We love you Lord. Amen.”

    DAY 31: Those battling incurable diseases

    • Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25).
    • For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

    OBSERVATION: We might wonder what we will value in our final moments. “One man who was asked this said: I am a content, whole, peaceful man right now…Not scared, not afraid, just excited, all bubbly inside, like I’m going to get married. I’m reaping what I’ve sowed all those years; I’ve sowed love.” Most of us who have lived a full, loving life can probably echo that sentiment.

    PRAYER: “God, thank you for being with us right now. We know that this isaHolytimebeforeYou. Weconfessthatwedon’tunderstandwhythings happen the way they do. Show us that you are walking with us right now. Remind us that you love us, no matter what we are going through. We also pray for our families as they have a heavy road ahead and they will need all of Your comfort and strength. We trust you, and pray this in your name. Amen.”

    _____________________________

    #eldorado40

    DAY 30: Homeless in our community

    “And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:38-40

    OBSERVATION: In the 2017 report to Congress, the Department of Housing and Development shows approximately 556,000 people to be homeless in America. There is a need in America, El Dorado is not immune. As the church we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves! These are our neighbors as well. We are also called to be a generous people! Often, we allow our flesh to come out and look down upon those in need, and even say blanket statements, such as “they just need to get a job”, without even knowing the people or their circumstances. Our knee- jerk reaction is often coming from a stance of pride and selfishness. Matthew 25:35-46 speaks of the difference between the actions of a follower of Christ and one who does not. The follower of Christ shows compassion for people in need, and the Lord says in verse 45, ‘whatever you did for the least of these you also have done for me!”

    PRAYER: Father, today we pray that we may as a church, see with the eyes of Christ and be generous to those in need around us. May we, as the Bride of Christ, show compassion and love to all of our neighbors! May we be able to show the love of Christ in such a way that Christ may be undeniable in the lives of our neighbors. Praise God from whom all blessing flow.

    DAY 29: Teachers, administrators, other school employees

    “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22: 6

    “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom belongs to such as these…'” Mark 10:14

    OBSERVATION: when I was young there was a religious organization that boasted that if they were allowed to instruct a child from an early age, that the child would always adhere to that religion. That is why Jesus was so adamant about allowing the children to come to him. We need to teach our children well; to bring them up in the ways of the Lord and pray for those who instruct them on a daily basis in our schools.

    PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you love children so much that you enjoyed being surrounded by them. We pray for their instructions in school. May they teach them moral strength they need to make it in a world of sin. May the administration wisely pick teachers who are morally sound themselves. From the bus drivers who pick them up in the morning, the janitors, the lunchroom workers, and all the people our children come in contact with during the day. Father, let all these people set good examples for our children.

    Through Him who said, “…let the children come to me.” Amen.

    DAY 28: Praise for answered prayer

    Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. (John 18:37)

    OBSERVATION:  Jesus wants to reign in our hearts, homes, churches, city, nation, world and universe.  We praise our Lord for his countenance to our prayers.

    PRAYER:  Almighty and everlasting God, who in your beloved Son, the King of the whole word, did will to restore all things, mercifully grant that all the families of the nations now kept apart by the wound of sin, may be brought under the sweet yoke of His rule, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.  Amen

    #eldorado40
    facebook.com/eldorado40days
    twitter.com/eldorado40days
    eldorado40.com

    DAY 27: Those incarcerated (and their families on the outside)

    For I was hungry and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee: or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40 (KJV)

    OBSERVATION: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A question that’s been rehearsed from the time of Cain and Abel. Yes, we are. And, let brotherly love continue. A 1965 popular song by Hal David with lyrics suggesting, “what the world needs now, is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of: what the world needs now is love sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone”, is ever true. In observing the day, time and era we live, we must keep in perspective that God is love.  (Supporting Scriptures (KJV): Genesis 4:9; Hebrews 13:1-3; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 4:8

    PRAYER:  Father, we thank you today for new grace and mercies. For we know that our strength is made perfect in weakness. Where we fail in our earthly duties and responsibilities, please forgive and create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us.

    Father, your word declares that your respect for all people is the same, and he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong done.

    Father, give us your burden, that is, to pray and visit those in need, to have and possess kindness, and use our will to love others as we say we love You.

    (Supporting Scriptures (KJV): 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 51:10; Colossians 3:25; 1 John 4:21)

    #eldorado40
    facebook.com/eldorado40days
    twitter.com/eldorado40days
    eldorado40.com

    DAY 26: For the spiritual leaders in our community

    “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

    OBSERVATION: As we think about the spiritual leaders in our community, we are indebted to them for the incredible selfless love they pour out day after day. We are appreciative of their deep knowledge of the Lord. We are grateful for the deep insights from God’s word they continually share with us. We are satisfied to follow their discerning leadership. We are delighted to follow their example of purity and righteousness. Through Jesus, join me in giving praise and glory to God for our spiritual leaders in this community who influence us to passionately follow Christ.

    PRAYER: Father, we thank you for being the awesome God you are. Thank you for giving us men and women who lovingly lead us as we follow you. We humbly ask your Holy Spirit’s anointing to be upon them. As they give of themselves, increase their love, knowledge, depth of insight, and discernment. Give our leaders eyes to see what is best, pure, and blameless. Give them ears to hear as they seek your holy face. We ask you to fill our leaders with the fruit of your holy righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. Deliver our leaders from temptation and guard their heart and minds in Christ Jesus. Father, we know you can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine through the power of your Spirit. We love you and we give you all glory and honor and praise! It is by the shed blood of Jesus that we approach your throne of grace. We ask all this in the name and according to the reputation of our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

    #eldorado40
    facebook.com/eldorado40days
    twitter.com/eldorado40days
    eldorado40.com