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Day 23 – Sunday, Oct. 23

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

-John 1:14

OBSERVATION: God loves us more than we love ourselves. By the Word becoming flesh, Jesus raises our fallen human nature to the bounds of heaven.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, true God and true man, thank you for your Incarnation. Your humanity at the moment of your conception reveals the incomparable value of each of us at the moment of our conceptions. We pray for the healing of emotional and psychological wounds that sins against life have caused and the grace of conversion.

Day 22 – Saturday, Oct. 22

Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

-2 Corinthians 5:17

OBSERVATION: When we accept Christ we are brand-new people on the inside: Our soul is new, the Holy Spirit gives us a new life, and we are changed. We are not reformed or rehabilitated by man or institutions—we are re-created and re-generated by the blood of Jesus. At transformation we are not just turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life through Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for accepting us as your own and for forgiving us of all our sins. Lord, continue to be with us as we grow and mature in you, leaving our old way of life. Thank you Lord, for new life in you!

Day 21 – Friday, Oct. 21

“Because God’s children are human beings- made of flesh and blood- the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” – Heb. 2:14-15 NLT

OBSERVATION: Jesus had to be come just like us so He could save anyone desiring to be saved. He lived a perfect life, was killed, then rose from the dead thus putting death to death. Now anyone in Christ no longer has to fear dying because there is life waiting for them.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for such grace, that you would send Jesus to beat death. Thank you for breaking the power of the devil so we can have freedom, confidence and hope. We praise you. Please help us to live the confident, bold life you want for us. We pray in Jesus’ name.

Day 20 – Thur., Oct. 20 (Day of Fasting)

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

-Hebrews 13:16

OBSERVATION: Christians often speak of “doing good” in the world. We are willing to give a homeless man a meal or provide school supplies to a child. We are willing to “do good” as long as it allows us to save. But, Hebrews 13:16 reminds us that to “do good” requires not saving, but sharing and sacrificing. Am I willing to share and to sacrifice in order to “do good” in the world?
PRAYER: Father, break my heart for those in need. Give me compassion to “do good” in your name. Grant me the willingness to share with others what you have so graciously given to me. Grant me the strength to sacrifice my possessions for the sake of all the people who surround me. Father, I want to “do good” to bring you glory and to be a witness to the glory of your Kingdom. Amen.

Day 19 – Wednesday, Oct. 19

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

OBSERVATION: Many look at Jesus as just a “good man” and He was. Even in His day, people sought Him just for the power he possessed and for the physical benefits He could provide. He healed the sick and fed the hungry because He loved them and also because He wanted them to understand who He was. God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world, not to condemn anyone. The following verse (3:18) tells us “if we do not believe in Jesus we stand condemned already.”

PRAYER: All Mighty God and Our Heavenly Father, we humbly bow in your presents to express our thanks to you for sending Jesus to this earth as a Savior. Without Jesus we are lost and undone, standing condemned before you. We pray dear Lord for mankind to turn to you and trust you, embracing your wonderful love for us and embracing Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. We ask these things in the Holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Day 18 – Tuesday, Oct. 18

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

– 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)

OBSERVATION: When was the last time you prayed for government officials in our cities, counties, states and nation? We all have our own opinions about how they should govern, and we often are quick to judge them and the decisions they make. But have you prayed for them lately? Have you prayed for God to give us a quiet and peaceable life? Notice, prayer is to be the first thing we do for them.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for being so quick to judge our public servants and government officials. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of being a part of our governing process. We pray that you would give our government officials your understanding and wisdom as they make decisions that will affect those who live here.

Day 17: Monday, Oct. 17

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

OBSERVATION: Thought: Hardly a verse in all of Scripture sums up the heart of God for His creation and His people better than Zephaniah 3:17. As you read this verse today, I pray your life would be transformed by the reality of God’s nearness and the depth of his love for you.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You that You are a strong and mighty warrior. Thank You that we get the benefit of victory and salvation in You. Thank You that the gentle and meek and humble side of Your character can also quiet us with Your love. The fact that You delight in us and rejoice in the details of our lives is incredible. Let us hear and experience Your song as You sing over us. In Jesus Name, Amen

Day 16 – Sunday, October 16

“My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (CEB)

OBSERVATION: When things are going our way, when life’s challenges seem manageable enough, and the clouds of worry are few and far between, it’s easy to think of the goodness of God. The challenge comes when difficulties arise, when nothing seems go our way. Is God still good then? Of course God is. As the expression goes, “God is good, all the time.” In the challenging times, God’s grace, God’s 100% unearned, undeserved love for us, is still there. Indeed, the knowledge that God still holds us in his embrace helps carry us through those challenging times. Got troubles? Praise God for God’s goodness, all the time; and those troubles will shrink before the great goodness of God.

PRAYER: O God, whose mercies never fail, whose grace is allsufficient: Grant that in good times and bad we may keep our eyes fixed on your goodness, that whatever challenges life may bring, we may be uplifted by the power of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

#eldorado40 printable prayer guide

The full printable guide to the El Dorado /Union County 40 Days of Prayer is at your fingertips

Day 15 – Saturday, Oct. 15

“that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:19

OBSERVATION: Reconciliation here obviously implies that a relationship was broken. When Adam sinned, he handed to us a sin nature. So we ALL have had a broken relationship with God because we are sinners by nature and sinners by choice. Our loving Lord Jesus solved that by paying for our sin on the cross, and rising to life again in victory over sin, death, hell and the grave. People who place their trust in the finished work of Christ have been reconciled to God. Even with this, there remains broken relationships between humans, even in our area of El Dorado. Our Scripture tells us true believers are given the task of giving out the true answer of reconciliation, which is not more laws, but is a relationship with Jesus. This transforms people from the inside out, giving them a love for all people.

PRAYER: O Lord, you know our city, state country, and world have some many problems with people relating to other people. We cry out to You to intervene. We thank You for your mercy and grace that has put limits on evil, but now we ask You to send revival to our city and area. Change the hearts of true believers to Your heart, and help us love You, and love others as we should. As we do that, help this outpouring of love to be contagious, with more and more people experiencing Your love, and then we ask You to empower them to love others. We thank You for how You are going to work this out for our good and for Your glory. Amen.