#eldorado40

DAY 40: Local, Specific Concerns

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. – 1 Corinthians 1:10

Our city, like many others across this country has endured much turmoil and division over the last few years. Our hope is that we can move forward, forgive past transgressions and look to a future of unity that only comes through Christ.

Dear Lord, we thank you for all that you have done for our city. We know that there are people in our community that are hurting. We have seen divisiveness, hate and pure evil, even in our small town. We ask that you give us a spirit of love and forgiveness. Give our citizens a hope than can only be found in a personal relationship with you. Amen.

Thank you for joining in prayer with your neighbors across El Dorado and Union County, Arkansas for the 2023 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.

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DAY 39: Addicts and their Families

REMINDER: You are invited to join your El Dorado community tonight (Wed., Nov. 8) in a special prayer walk as we wrap up our 40 Days of Prayer for El Dorado and Union County. We will meet at 6:30 pm at the El Dorado Police Department on North West Avenue. From there, we will walk together to pray at El Dorado City Hall, the El Dorado School District Central Office, and finally the Union County Court House. At each stop we will be led in prayer by one or two of our ministry and community leaders. This will be a powerful way to end a bold prayer campaign!

DAY 39: Addicts and their Families:

For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. – 2 Peter 2:19b

There are so many things that can overcome us. Crush us. Enslave us. For some, chemicals, behaviors or patterns of thinking are debilitating. They substance begins to rule one’s life. All else is set aside; mate, children, jobs, friends, extended family… In time all the person’s life is absorbed into that behavior or substance. Life is long lost before the body gives out. Everyone associated with the addicted person is damaged. Every relationship taking a beating. To love one addicted is heart wrenching. Only God…

Dear Jesus, we know you came to set the captives free and set at liberty those oppressed. There are those among us enslaved by substances, behaviors or patterns of thinking. Those who love them are oppressed. Please grant freedom. Do what is necessary to open the heart of the addict to Your grace, forgiveness and life. Heal the hearts of those loving the addict. Allow forgiveness and restoration to come from your hand. We pray in Jesus’ sweet name.

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DAY 38: Homeless in Our Community

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. – Proverbs 19:17

Often they go unseen, yet they are in our community nonetheless! I am speaking of the homeless. According to the 2020 Census, El Dorado had a population of 17,063 people. However, no doubt there were people who were missed because they are homeless. Recently I was painfully aware of this fact. Twice in August when on my way to Healthworks at 5:00 a.m., I saw one person sleeping on a bench and another on a broken-down old chair. You just don’t see two people sleeping outside at 5:00 a.m. unless they are homeless.

Almighty and most merciful God help us to open our eyes to the homeless that are in our community in such a way that we will do for them what we can. We remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. In Jesus Amen.

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DAY 37: Praise for Our Freedoms and Liberties

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. – John 8:36 (NLT)

We are blessed to live in a country that provides its citizens with the freedoms that we enjoy here in the United States. May we never take for granted the freedoms and liberties that are afforded to us and those who have given their lives to provide these freedoms for us. May we also realize that the only true freedom is freedom of the soul and does not come from government or legislation, but only from the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.

Father, thank you for allowing me to live in a country that is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Help me to never take that for granted! I pray for those who live in a free country but are still in bondage to their sins. Show them that Jesus is the only One who can truly set them free!

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DAY 36: Abused and the Abusive

Make no friendship with a man or woman given to anger, not go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways. – Proverbs 22:24-25

There are many relationships that become abusive for various reasons and the abused person is scared to reach out to someone because of the fear the abuser has over them.

Heavenly Father, we know people are in abusive, controlling relationships and are scare to seek help because of fear. Touch their hearts and open their minds lord, that they can look to you and seek freedom and turn to your ways as only you can comfort them. Amen

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DAY 35: Spiritual Leaders in our Community

Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. – Hebrews 13:7-8 (The Message)

God provides spiritual leaders to shepherd your soul. Look past their human weaknesses and failures to the life of Jesus they are helping you experience.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for every spiritual leader you have placed in our lives. Help us learn from their example and follow the way they live a life of faith. May Jesus always be totally Himself in them and us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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DAY 34: Safety in Schools

Lord, You watch over us. You are the shade on my right hand; the sun will not harm me by day nor the moon by night. You keep us from all harm; You watch over our lives. You watch over our coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121:5-8

The world is defined by uncertainty. The only certainty we have is God’s love for us and our knowledge that God earnestly desires our prayers. As we engage with God through prayer may we always remember to pray for safety and protection for the students, faculty, administration and staff of our schools.

Gracious and merciful God, we thank You that You are ever present in our lives. You promise to watch over us. We pray for Your protection for the students, faculty, administration and staff of our schools. We ask that You provide safety and security for everyone involved in the educational process. We praise you for the certainty of Your love. We pray this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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DAY 33: Deepening of Moral Values

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. – Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

Young or old, many hear this and respond, Who cares? It does not make a difference in what I’ve seen of life. Even if I do, others don’t. Where do I benefit in that equation? Look deeper and longer in what you see around you over time. Purity means to speak justly, be translucent, and to do what is right by living according to God’s revealed direction in the Bible (i.e., the law and commands). Perspective and enough time always demonstrate God’s word reveals guidance and direction that leads to a life of satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy (e.g., Joseph’s story in Genesis 30:25-50:28). Have you seen those who do follow God’s direction and those that do not? Over several years, who seems to have fewer problems and more joy even if not more stuff or accolades?

Loving Father, thank you for never giving up on me no matter what I’ve done or will do. Thank you for showing me the path of life in your Word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit enable me to choose your path of life, not the easy pleasurable path that ends in heartache and destruction. Amen.

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DAY 32: Those Battling Presently Incurable Diseases

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (KJV)

Today we pray for those who are dealing with an incurable disease. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth acknowledging that we all have struggles in life, but to not lose hope. For the child of God, because we have believed and trusted in Jesus, there is a far better place waiting for us that will be for eternity.

Dear Lord, we humbly approach Your throne of grace to intercede on behalf of those who are battling an incurable disease. You know the struggles they deal with each day; so, we ask that You might give them peace in their daily struggles. We pray that they all know You as their personal Savior, but if not, may today be the day that accept Your Son and be saved. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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DAY 31: Those Unreached with the Gospel

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

Our community has many Christians, but some among us could be categorized as lost, or unreached with the Gospel. The Gospel, very simply means good news, which is that Jesus Christ died for all humanity and by choice, we can be born again. Scripture is clear that God’s plan is for all to repent. Knowing this makes us bold in our prayers and pursuits of family, friends, and neighbors whose eternal destinies are chosen by their decision to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Heavenly Father, Savior of mankind, we come boldly into your presence thanking you for the free gift of Salvation which is available to anyone who is willing to accept the price Jesus Christ paid for our eternity. God, let us be the laborers in your harvest fields to bring the Gospel to the unreached. Give us supernatural ideas for planting seeds of truth that will bring people to repentance. Let us be your influencers bringing your plan of Salvation to those who have not had opportunity to receive eternal life. Thank you, Father, for directing us and giving us open doors to present the Gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.