Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! His light broke through the darkness, and he led us out in freedom from death’s dark shadow and snapped every one of our chains. So, lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! For he smashed through heavy prison doors and shattered the steel bars that held us back, just to set us free!” – Psalm 107:13-16

The struggle with mental health disorders can feel like deep, thick darkness, but praise to the God who calls us out of darkness into marvelous light! Many who are affected by mental health issues suffer from feeling rejected and alone, but in Christ there is hope. His compassion and mercy are there to accept you right where you are, break your chains, and never leave your side. Jesus wants to break through your darkness and fill your life with hope. Just ask him!

Father in Heaven, we ask for your light to shine in Union County. In unity, we denounce fear and receive the spirit of power, love, and sound mind that you have promised in your Word. We ask, Father, that your light would break through the darkness of mental health oppression in Union County and set the captives free. We claim mental wholeness and healing in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – John 14:6

St. Augustine said that “all truth comes from the One who said, ‘I am the truth.’” Our teachers have a tremendous responsibility—from the earliest stages of teaching the alphabet to the college-level courses that teach deep critical thinking skills. God has given us human teachers so that we may learn how to read, understand, and think for ourselves. Our prayer is that those in our community would then use those skills to seek the Lord.

Father, we thank you for those who have been called to teach and lead our children. We pray that teachers and leaders will be passionate about truth and that you will grant them extra wisdom as they teach. Give them wisdom to explain, resolve conflicts, and guide students ultimately to Your Truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. – Luke 4:18-19

There is a heavy burden on the lives of those incarcerated and their families. Regardless of the reason for the imprisonment, it is hard. It can become a mindset. One lives as a captive of their situation. Fear. Want. Need. Only Jesus can bring freedom without regard to one’s prisoner’s designation.

Lord, heal the hearts of those in prison. Open them to the internal freedom and security that come from knowing you. Hold tight to the families affected by their imprisonment. Heal those who were damaged and occasioned the imprisonment. Hold the loved ones of the prisoner. Please bring your liberty within all these lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

How blessed we are to have a Savior who encourages us to pray about everything! Jesus does not want us to be anxious, but He wants us to rely on Him in all aspects of our lives. We need to be thankful when we give our requests to God, knowing that He hears our prayers and answers them. It is only through Him that we gain peace in this world today.

Father, we praise You for hearing our prayers and for answering them. We praise You that we can pray to You about anything, and You will give us peace. We also praise You for Your divine wisdom for sometimes answering our prayers in a better way than what we ask, even when that means You say “no” to our request to give us something better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

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. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

The most important thing the believer can do for those in government positions is to offer up prayer. In fact, as we see in today’s reading, this is commanded. We do not simply pray for the government leaders we voted for or fully agree with. No, we pray for “kings and all who are in high positions.” This is our Christian duty and privilege.

Father, I pray today for those in government positions at the local, state, and national level. I pray that they would lead under the direction of your divine authority, with wisdom and honor. I ask that you protect these leaders as they seek to protect those who live under their governing authority. Let me be one who honors well those in government positions so long as it does not violate your word. 

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. – 1 Chronicles 16:24

As Christians, we are called to declare the glory of the Lord everywhere we go and to everyone we encounter. Our mission is to embody the love of our savior, being His hands and feet for ALL, and thereby, spreading His love and grace.

God of all glory, help us to remember that missionaries are not just across the waters in foreign lands but also here in our city and county. We are your missionaries, wherever we may be. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts open to see how we can serve. Help us to notice those around us and focus on others and not on ourselves. Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. – Ephesians 6:10

The work that our firefighters, police officers, and paramedics do is challenging, difficult, and time-consuming. Every day they prepare to leave room for the unexpected. They drop what they are doing when an emergency arises. Too often we take our firefighters, police officers, and paramedics for granted.

Dear Lord, protect the brave men and women who serve us in Union County as firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. Equip them, Lord, in every possible way—mentally, physically, and spiritually—to confront what is sitting in the path before them. Give them your protection and give them guidance. Thank you, God, for our wonderful firefighters, police officers, and paramedics here in El Dorado and Union County. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. – Matthew 19:13-15

As I write this observation, the lead story on the morning news was about a threat that was made to Barton Junior High School in El Dorado. The threat came on social media, and I quote, “Do not come to Barney [sic] Junior tomorrow [September 3]. I am going to shoot it up.” Then the very next day, a school in Georgia was shot up with two students and two teachers killed. I didn’t want to believe that a threat to an El Dorado school could take place! Not our town! Growing up, I felt safer at school than anywhere else. As a teacher, I felt in all my years in the classroom I always felt safe. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and giving us your grace. As children, we sang, “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” and we know He does. We ask you to be with the children and protect them, especially in this community. May we as adults set the right example for them. In these troubling times, we ask that your protection be upon them no matter where they are. May school once more be a safe place for children. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. – Isaiah 51:4

The justice system of a society tells the story of the values of that society. What is allowed and disallowed within a society reflects the character of those people. True justice and righteousness executed is so powerful that it becomes a beacon of hope to its citizens and others.

God, let your justice reign. Guide our judges to follow you in true righteousness, to promote goodness and punish wickedness. Strengthen their hearts to be impervious to any influences besides truth. May the judgments shine a light in our community that sin does not win. Make our courts a place of victory for truth and goodness. Through Jesus who ultimately defeated all evil, Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. – Exodus 18:21

We live in a nation with a constitution, which has been a blessing for this country. It was written by wise patriots who knew the importance of a moral society with high standards. The constitution and our country can only continue to exist by electing people who have Christian values as their guide in life.

Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we praise you for your greatness and goodness. Father in Heaven, we know that you are in control of everything and that you can give us righteous leaders. We pray, Father, that people of integrity and ability will be elected to govern us at every level. We pray that you will give us leaders who love you, seek you, and fear you. Lord, please cause these elections to happen in a fair and honest manner. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2024 40 Days of Prayer. Please continue to pray for blessings and unity for our community.

We are so grateful for your partnership in God’s Kingdom work. May you and yours be blessed.

#eldorado40 #40daysofprayer #eldoradoarkansas