Latest News from FBC Bogalusa

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 27

PRAYER FOR WISDOM TO ELECT THE BEST OFFICIALS

CANDIDATES TO SPEAK CLEARLY ABOUT CONVICTIONS: Candidates for public office must be transparent with the public about their beliefs.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“One of the young men answered, ‘I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp.  He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him.’”  I Samuel 16:18

“Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.  A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.”  Proverbs 16:21,23

“The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips - the king is his friend.”  Proverbs 22:11

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Help people understand what candidates are planning to do if elected . . . Give you insight to discern who are the most trustworthy candidates . . . Cause candidates who are not trustworthy to be defeated . . . Help you share with others the importance of voting for people based on the issues rather than party or personal interest . . . Convince candidates that His values are the best for people to live by . . . Cause the media to give fair coverage to candidates who hold biblical values and positions.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 26

PRAYER FOR WISDOM TO ELECT THE BEST OFFICIALS

GOD TO RAISE UP CANDIDATES: God knows the heart so He must be involved in raising up men and women for public office.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed.  Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”  Esther 4:14

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him.  Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible but the Lord sees the heart.’”  I Samuel 16:7

“It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges.”  Proverbs 8:15-16

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Raise up candidates for public office . . . Help you discern the best candidate to vote for . . . Help you know if He wants you to run for public office . . . Lead churches to encourage their members to run for public office . . . Discourage ungodly people from running for public office . . . raise up men and women to help godly candidates get elected . . . Provide the resources godly candidates need to win elections.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 25

PRAYER FOR WISDOM TO ELECT THE BEST OFFICIALS

DISCERNMENT OF CANDIDATES: Christians must make sure they are voting for candidates who support biblical values.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 1:7

“Man cannot be made secure by wickedness, but the root of the righteous is immovable.  The thoughts of the righteous are just, but guidance from the wicked leads to deciet.”  Proverbs 12:3,5

“God, give your justice to the king and Your righteousness to the king’s son.  He will judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted ones with justice.  May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, and the hills, righteousness.  May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor.”  Psalm 72:1-4

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as he speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Give you insight to know who is the best person to vote for . . . Cause the candidates to speak clearly about what they believe . . . Convict candidates to adopt biblical positions on issues, like protecting life, strengthening marriage, and valuing the church . . . Confound the counsel of candidates who don’t support biblical values . . . Burden church leaders to help Christians know the Bible’s teachings on moral issues, especially the sanctity of human life, marriage and religious liberty . . . Reveal the true character of people running for public office . . . Help you share biblical truth with others so they can make better decisions about the candidates.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 24

PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

FOR GOD TO BURDEN CHRISTIANS TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE: Public service is an important part of the Christian’s calling as salt and light.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges.”  Proverbs 8:15-16

“But the one who did not know, and did things deserving of blows, will be beaten lightly.  Much will be required of everyone who has been given much.  And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.”  Luke 12:48

“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone shoujld look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others.”  Philippians 2:3-4.

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Burden Christians to run for public office . . . Help the church understand the imperative of civic involvement . . . Help churches to equip men and women for the spiritual demands of public office . . . Burden churches to pray for God to call men and women to public office . . . Give Christians who run for public office favor in the eyes of the electorate . . . Help you know if He wants you to become more involved in the civic life of your community or nation . . . Protect future Christian leaders from errors and sin that will prevent them from fulfilling God’s intention for their lives of public service.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 23

PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

WORK TOGETHER FOR COMMON GOOD: Cooperation among leaders is a crucial key to national health.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.”  I Thessalonians 5:15

“He has told you men what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you; Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humble with your God.  The voice of the Lord calls out to the city (and it is wise to fear Your name):’Pay attention to the rod and the One who ordained it.’”  Micah 6:8-9

“Wash yourselves.  Cleanse yourselves.  Remove your evil deeds from My sight.  Stop doing evil.  Learn to do what is good.  Seek justice.  Correct the oppressor.  Defend the rights of the fatherless.  Plead the widow’s cause.”  Isaiah 1:16-17

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Cause public officials to use their offices for the public good not personal gain . . . Help public officials understand the consequences of policies they pursue, especially if they fail to protect all human life . . . Help public officials find ways to work with people of different opinion to accomplish God-honoring goals . . . Help expose public officials who are breaking laws . . . Give public officials wisdom to know what is in the nation’s best interest, especiallyi the importance of protecting God’s design for marriage . . . Burden churches to help public officals work toward good goals . . . Remind public officials that they are accountable to God, and that they should protect the church from unbiblical government interference.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 22

PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

PROTECTION FROM SPIRITUAL ATTACK: Every leader’s most danger enemies are spiritual in nature.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation

“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”  Ephesians 6:12

“Let the rightous one strike me — it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me — it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it.  Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.”  Psalm 141:5

“Therefore, submit to God.  But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God to:

Prevent Satan from blinding the judgment of our public officials . . . Burden the church to pray regularly for our public officials . . . Call godly Christians to lives of public service . . . Convict public officials of their sin and lead them to faith in Christ . . . Help you pray daily for public officials . . . Convince public officials about the spiritual impacts of decisions they make . . . Protect public officials from the attacks of Satan.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 21

PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

GOOD DECISIONS:  Wisdom is an indispensable component for responsible leadership.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For it is God’s will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people.  As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.  Honor everyone.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the Emperor.”  I Peter 2:13-17

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.”  Proverbs 2:6-8

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without critizing, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speak to you.

Ask God To:

Give our public officials wisdom to make good decisions, especially to protect the sanctity of human life . . . Burden the churches to share their values with public officials, especially the importance of protecting the church from unbiblical government interference . . . Help our public officials seek out godly counsel before they make decisions . . . Help you communicate your concerns regularly with your elected representatives . . . Raise up people in your church who will help your church communicate with public officials . . . Help public officials understand the importance of biblical values, especially to protect God’s design for marraige . . . Expose ungodly influences affecting public officials.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 20

PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

EXEMPLARY LIVES:  A nation’s leaders must lead first by example.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  I Timothy 2:1-4

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

“Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings.  It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer.  Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.  Give beer to one who is dying, and wine to one whose life is bitter.  Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his troubles no more.”  Proverbs 31:3-7

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Convince public officials that their lives should be above reproach . . . Call godly men and women to run for public office . . . Lead churches to minister to men and women in public office . . . Cause those whose lives are a disgrace to the nation to leave office . . . Restrain Satan from having an evil influence over public officials . . . Help the nation to elect men and women with exemplary lives . . . Help public officials understand how the example of their lives influences others.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCTOBER 19

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL RENEWAL

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR ALL: The freedom to worship God according to the dictates of one’s conscience is an indispensable value of true liberty.

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.  So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do good and you will have its approval.  For government is God’s servant to you for good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason.  For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.  Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.  And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to those tasks.  Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.”  romans 13:1-7

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Cause our nation’s leaders to protect the God given right of religious liberty for all . . . Help our nation resist all efforts to prevent people of faith from expressing their deeply held religious convictions freely and publicly . . . Raise up leaders to resist any effort to force people of fatih to violate their consciences in order to satisfy unbiblical social mandates . . . Help our nation pass laws that are just from God’s perspective . . . Give the chruch courage to resist any effort to force it to obey manmade laws rather than God . . . Convict our nation’s leaders to work for religious liberty around the world especially in totalitarian nations . . . Help you find ways to protect religious liberty in the United States and around the world.

FORTY/FORTY PRAYER GUIDE - OCT. 18

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL RENEWAL

GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE: Marriage between one man and one woman is the foundation to healthy families and communities

Scripture for Reflection and Preparation:

“Then the LORD God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man.  And the man said: this one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called woman, for she was taken from man.  This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:22-24

“Didn’t the one God make us with a remant of His life-breath?  And what does the One seek?  A godly offspring.  So watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously against the wife of your youth.  “If he hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD God of Israel, “He covers his garment with injustice,” says the LORD of Hosts.  Therefore, watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously.”  Malachi 2:15-16

“Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.”  Hebrews 13:4

Preparation:

Praise God for who He is . . . Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing . . . Allow His Spirit to draw you near . . . Listen as He speaks to you.

Ask God To:

Raise up leaders who will protect God’s design for marraige as the union of one man and one woman . . . Convict Christians to uphold the institution of marriage and model its true meaning . . . Help the church instill in young people a sound understanding of the importance of marriage . . . Cause our nation to understand the destructive effects of redefining marriage . . . Help the church engage in compassionate redemptive ministry to those struggling with same-sex attraction . . . Help the church minister to those struggling in their marriages . . . Cause our nation’s leaders to enact laws and policies that encourage and strengthen marriage.