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For the month of March, Monday-Thursday, we will focus our prayers on the seven major social influencers in America: government, media, arts/entertainment, business, education, religion & family. To see real change in our families, communities, cities, and county, there needs to be four significant movements. Those that believe in Jesus awaken to do the work of the ministry with boldness and urgency. As a result, those that don't believe come to the Lord and we see a revival. That awakened believers then disciple the newly saved and their lives are transformed by the Lord. Lastly, as a result of Christians shining their light, new believers experiencing new life in Christ, cities will be reformed by their new behavior. On Fridays, we will continue to pray for local news. Praying for an awakening of believers, a revival to the unsaved, transformation in both lives, resulting in reformation in their communities. Post a prayer request and/or a prayer for a topic in the comments at the end of this page. Prayer Challenge Mar. 28 - People in Government & Elections Reform our Community podcast. Praying today for those transformed by the work of God, in government and in this year’s elections, would begin to follow Jesus despite opposition and naysayers.  That they would ask “what would Jesus do” with their positions, authority & responsibility? Imagine the impact it would have on our cities & county! How the disgruntled at government would begin to see a glimmer of hope! How people would be valued for their input to improve their region! How officials could bring laws and regulations that raise standards, respect for law and their environment! How the corrupt would be exposed and the ethical remain! Mar. 27 - Transform people involved with Government & Elections pocast. Today let’s pray for the newly saved and those now on fire for nothing to stop them, not even the gates of hell, nor opposition, persecution or naysayers.  Picture them full of the armor of God, strong and courageous, no weapon formed against them does them harm.  Instead, they stand, speak boldly, because they have the greatest treasure in the world.  They want to share it with others and make an impact in the government and the elections. Mar. 26: Revive people involved with Government & Elections podcast. Imagine politicians, mayors, county supervisors, city council members, and those campaigning for elected positions getting saved!  How many local, county, state and national changes would be affected for good!  Imagine those who once were like Saul, seeking ill intent on those who were righteous, having a come to Jesus moment! What decisions would be made? How our communities would change! Stricter adherence to regulations. Voters getting a voice and being heard. Caring about the constituents and area of oversight more than the paycheck.  Having the zeal that may have initially got them into this field in the first place, to make significant strides to uphold the constitution.  Let’s  contend for their souls to first see the need of a Savior, repent of their sins, say yes to Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives and begin a new life in Christ that would affect our cities. Mar. 25 - Awaken People involved with Government & Elections podcast. We focus our prayers today on the people in government who hide the light of Jesus because of the bureaucracy, pressure, culturally pushed agendas.  Perhaps they too lost their saltiness due to what they see inside the government agencies, the waste, the lack of high standards, the greed, the wickedness and so much more.  Perhaps the corruption they see has caused them to lose focus, feel hopeless and lack zeal for God.  Inwardly they know they want to make good changes but end up complying for the sake of a paycheck.  Now they are caught in the web spinning into a chokehold.  Lifeless, they feel like giving up.  Why try?  We pray the Lord blows the 4 winds of the Spirit, like in the Valley of dry bones causing a new infilling of the life of the Spirit to wake up. That they become emboldened  to do what’s right even in the face of opposition.  That they rise up with renewed fervor and light, that the works of darkness would be exposed and replaced with godliness. May this awakening shake them so much, that those in their sphere of influence in the government will also experience a shaking. Mar. 21 - People in Education & Entertainment Reform our community podcast. Praying today for those transformed by the work of God, in education and in entertainment, arts & sports, would begin to follow Jesus despite the costs.  That they would ask “what would Jesus do” with my talents and skills? Imagine the impact it would have on our society! How students would learn. How films would be made and developed. How lyrics would be written and sung. How sports would be moderate in all things. How artwork would display the handiwork of God! And how many on the sidelines who need Jesus would be saved.      Lk. 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 2 Cor. 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Eph. 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Mar. 20 - Transform people involved with Education & Entertainment podcast. Picture the faculty of the schools in your neighborhood or who teach your children or grandkids, nieces or nephews.  Now picture them all excited about their newfound faith in Christ.  Envision those who once were lukewarm now on fire for God.  Who are those that entertain you? Singers, actors, producers, sports players, artists.  Picture them with a smile so infectious because they just discovered the pearl of great price – Jesus.  They found out and believed He died for their sins sacrificially, lovingly and knocked at the door of their hearts.  Now they are fellowshipping.  They want to share this with others.  But how? And what will people say? Today let’s pray for the newly saved and those now on fire for nothing to stop them, not even the gates of hell, nor opposition, persecution or naysayers.  Picture them full of the armor of God, strong and courageous, no weapon formed against them does them harm.  Instead, they stand, speak boldly, because they have the greatest treasure in the world.  They want to share it with others. Mar. 19 - Revive people involved with Education & Entertainment podcast. Imagine teachers, administrators, teacher unions and people in the department of education getting saved!  How many students, faculty, parents and future leaders would be affected for good!  Imagine celebrities, directors, producers, writers, actors, sports players, artists getting saved! What movies, TV shows, videos would be made? How would games be played? Who would get the honor? How would the money be distributed? Today we pray for the salvation of those in education and entertainment.  Let’s  contend for their souls to first see the need of a Savior, repent of their sins, say yes to Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives and begin a new life in Christ that would affect all of society. Mar. 18 - Awaken People involved with Education & Entertainment podcast. Two other areas that influence our society are education and entertainment.  The long-term reach of education affects every member of society. The long-armed reach of entertainment, including sports and arts, extends to every person in society. Both influencers can promote good or evil. We focus our prayers today on the people who have lost their salt as believers.  Those who shy away from sharing their faith to avoid persecution.  The ones who tend to comply with the pressures from their employers, who promote ideologies against God.  Inwardly they know it is against what they know is wrong but for the sake of employment, go along with it. We pray they wake up. Get encouraged to do what’s right even in the face of opposition.  Rise up and let their light shine so bright, that the works of darkness will be revealed and snuffed out. May this awakening so shake them, that those around will give glory to God. Mar. 14 - Podcast. In the book, “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon, two of the characters changed their city by doing what they felt Jesus would do.  One was an editor in the newspaper media, the other was a manager in the Railroad business.  The editor changed some of the content and ads they ran that caused many ruffled feathers.  The manager changed the cafeteria room to provide a healthier environment for his employees and started a Bible study for those interested. Imagine what would happen if the people working in our commerce and media arenas would begin to do what Jesus would do?  If you prayed yesterday, keep the memory of those you encounter in business and those you listen to or watch in the media, as you lift them up to see reform in our community. Lk. 6:46; 2 Cor. 5:15; Eph. 5:17 Mar. 13 - Podcast. Picture the people who serve you at restaurants & all the staff that goes into making your dish. Include the people you get your hair cut, grocers who check your food, mechanics who repair your cars, trash collectors who pick up your garbage every week, retail clerks who tab your bill and other people who frequently see you for a business transaction.  Then add those you listen to or watch for information.  Bring them to memory as we pray for God to transform their lives.  To do such a work in them that they are not the same, away from cold and lukewarm to hot love for God.  People who now want to do God’s will and not their  own.  Those newly saved so on fire for the Lord spill over into the lives of those around them, affecting how they do business or report information in the media. Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Cor. 3:18 Mar. 12 - Podcast. When you get service, products or food from businesses and the personnel give you a deadpan face, what do you do? Are you one of those that tries to make them laugh or write a bad review for the lack of zeal in their customer service? Imagine if we prayed for the Lord to revive these people who have so much influence with the community. First, that they would come to know the Lord and then share that newfound faith with others.  How about media personnel? What areas of influence they have! Praying for them to get saved could change the way we hear information. Today let’s contend for the souls of those who are in commerce and media to repent of their sins, say yes to Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives and begin a new life in Christ. Ps. 85:6; Is. 57:15; Ps. 80:19 Mar. 11 - Podcast. Two other areas that influence our society are the business sector and the media.  How does commerce affect us?  Think of all the businesses in our county.  San Bernardino county majors in distribution and delivery. Consider all the medical & dental services, grocery stores, the restaurant sector, retail stores, auto companies, furniture outlets and all the places providing repairs and maintenance and so much more.  Media encompasses the printed & social media platforms, online, radio, and all other formats that provide information.  Today we focus on praying for those who are believers but asleep and work in the field of commerce & media. We pray they awake, become bold and courageous in their faith, unashamed of the gospel.  May the Lord light the fires that once burned bright and clear. Scriptures: Mark 9:50; Col. 4:6; Matt. 5:16; Eph. 5:14 Mar. 8 - Podcast. Highlights of past week’s local news. Murder/Attempts: A body was found in Mirage after a vehicle fire. The same place where 6 men were murdered by 5 other men who have been charged. Another man was shot and killed in San Bernardino. Man arrested for attempting murder in Bloomington.  Crime/Arrests: San Bernardino County alerting residents to watch for phone payment scam acting as DMV. New operation occurring to stop illegal off-highway vehicles happened in Lytle Creek. A woman committed robbery in Upland and brought her 2 children. 2 females arrested for multi-county retail theft. Big fraud scheme on several low-income housing projects now going to foreclose. Family lost all their belongings in a U-Haul fire. Woman stole over $1,200 from Target in Chino. Registered sex offender who preyed underage girls online seeking more victims. Suspect of grand theft auto in Upland arrested. Man arrested for causing a structure fire in Joshua Tree. After a wild pursuit, suspect arrested in Fontana. In Wrightwood, another mom caught with  drugs while driving her son. 4 points to pray for news: people involved & affected, future prevention and protection by those who can, powers to raise standards & make ethical decisions. Mar. 7 - Podcast. Today we pray for our family and church to reform. But what does it mean? Its definition says to make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.  Following in the heels of the pledge, what would happen if we committed to ask, “what would Jesus do? And then do it?” Reformation, change, would occur in our sphere of influence and would create a ripple effect. May our families and church people seek to answer this question and obey. What amazing changes we would see! Lk. 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 2 Cor. 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Eph. 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Mar. 6 - Podcast. Another word for metamorphosis is transformation.  Like the caterpillar that goes through this process to become a butterfly, so we too go through a change that is unseen.  We become new creatures; old things passed away.  We are different from what we were.  How did that happen? 2 Cor. 3:18 answers, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  Pray with the podcast or on your own for transformation to occur in our families and church. That we would see people so changed, the world will take notice. Prayer points: not conformed to this world, renew their mind, hunger to read God’s word, able to discern good & evil, old things no longer desire, the things of this world become distasteful, sensitive to what the Lord approves and disapproves, know that God’s boundaries provide protection, founded on love not fear; fears quenched by His love; able to love others from an understanding of God’s love; deliverance from oppression. Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 2:20 Mar. 5 - Podcast. Our prayer focus today is on people in our family and church who need to be revived. Prayer points: passionate desire to go to church, willingness to express their worship to the Lord by singing and praising freely, hunger to learn God's word and apply it, quick and instant repentance as the Holy Spirit convicted them of sin, desire to reconcile with brothers and sisters in Christ, awed by God's mercy, quick to forgive others and accepted the Lord's forgiveness, sought ways to do acts of kindness and gave generously, possessed a childlike faith, as they prayed for others' needs, eager to share the gospel and newfound faith with others, unafraid of the possible rejection, feeling of newness, a first love, a fresh start, needed the fellowship with other believers and made time for it and conviction of habits that needed to stop and supernatural ability to turn from them. Ps. 85:6, Is. 57:15; Ps. 80:19; Ps. 51:10; Ps. 19:7 Mar. 4 - Podcast. we intercede for Family & Church. Today we emphasize the need for those who know the Lord to awaken.  The valley of dry bones story stems from Ezekiel 37.  For a condensed version, the Lord takes Ezekiel to a valley full of bones that were very dry.  The Lord explained the bones represented the people of Israel whose hope was gone and cut off; they felt dried up, useless; lifeless; almost dead. Through Ezekiel he told to listen to the word of the Lord.  He was going to:  make them alive with the breath of God, give them tendons and cover them with skin that they would know He was THE Lord. He referred to them as “slain” as if they had been in a battle and felt defeated. But after He gave them life, they arose as a vast army. So as we pray today, think of those in your family and church who feel this way, who need a touch from God to bring new life to places of despair, of defeat, or of deadening.  Let’s ask the Lord to awaken them and fill them up so much they would be like the 120 on the day of Pentecost – fresh, alive and ready to share their faith anew. Mar 1 - Podcast. Highlights of past week’s local news.  Several deaths occurred, a Fontana armed man was killed by police in Upland, 2 homicides found in Spring Valley Lake, Rialto man shot and drove to Fontana. In San Bernardino, | Redlands | Highland | Loma Linda | Adelanto | Barstow multiple arrest for seizures of meth and firearms. A woman vandalized Rancho Cucamonga businesses and attacked deputy during arrest. Two commercial burglars were arrested in Fontana. The standoff in Apple Valley ended peacefully. Man from 29 Palms possessed tear gas and domestic assault. A 15-year-old stole a car and took the police on a wild chase in Victorville. A Barstow man tried to outrun the police at over 130 mph also with a stolen vehicle.  Many automobile accidents and tragedies on the freeways especially on the Cajon pass.

Most Current Topic In Psalm 107 we read of some seamen struggling in a tempestuous storm. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. [Ps. 107:28-29] During this holiday season, families face many pressures, with wars, economic issues, climate patterns, family dynamics. Easily we could feel the waves around us are out of control. We have choices; get overwhelmed or cry out to the One who can calm the storm to a whisper. In November and December, our prayer focus will be on the current issues confronting families. Instead of giving into the internal and external stresses attacking the family, let's join together, petitioning the Lord for peace in the storms. Monday through Friday we'll provide a podcast, prayer points, scriptures and resources on a different focused family topic. The podcast is a tool to help you participate in prayer. Use it as a platform to add your own petitions. Please encourage others to join us in interceding. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. Ps. 107:28-29 You're not alone! If you face a family dilemma, know that there are others praying with you and for you. We don't have to go through hardships by ourselves. Let's bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. [Gal. 6:9] Post a prayer request and/or a prayer for a topic in the comments at the end of this page. MOST CURRENT TOPIC BELOW Topic/date: Fri, 12/29th - FAMILIES AS LIGHTHOUSES [spark a fire, spread His love, shine in the darkness] Family topic podcast: Families become lighthouses who want to pass on God’s love, sparking a fire of revival and bold to shine in the darkness. Scriptures: Matt. 5:14-16; John 8:12; Acts 13:47; Eph. 5:8 Prayer points: pray for your neighbors as a family; take prayer walks; look for ways to be a light to those around you; do simple acts of kindness; when encountering a neighbor offer to pray for them or ask if they have something they need in prayer; invite them over for a meal or coffee or tea; pray for divine encounters, ask questions, seek to get to know them & build relationship. Resources: Your Home: A Lighthouse - Via Families (weavefamily.org); A House of Prayer for All Neighbors — GOSPEL FAMILY MINISTRIES; It Only Takes A Spark Song Lyrics | Divine Hymns | Gospel Song Lyrics Topic/date: Thu, 12/28th - LEAVING A LEGACY [Living to Pass on the Torch of Godliness] Family topic podcast: Leaving a legacy [Living to Leave behind what matters to God] Scriptures: Ps. 112:1-3; Matt. 6:20-21; Prov. 13:22 Prayer points: to leave a godly legacy to the next generation: disciple, encourage, equip, resource, empower, position for success, reaffirm, remind what to do, point to Jesus, reassure, release, rejoice with them, share the hope you have in Christ and in your future heaven home. Resources: Leaving a Legacy: 10 Things I Want To Be Remembered For (whatchristianswanttoknow.com); 4 Ways to Pass Down a Spiritual Legacy - Kathy Howard; 12 Steps To Leaving A Godly Legacy To The Next Generation | Brian Dodd on Leadership Topic/date: Wed, 12/27th - INSTILL VALUES [It's never too late to share] Family topic podcast:  Instilling values [what standards do we live by and expect at home] Scriptures: Deut. 6:6-7; Prov. 22:6; 1 Tim. 5:8; Col. 3:20; 1 Tim. 3:5 Prayer points: increase prayer for your family, keep a journal of requests, list the praises, increase faith with God’s promises; regularly repent and teach that; show unconditional love, forgive daily, serve others and take family along; tithe & donate; have family nights, show your faith. Resources: Building your family on Christian values and principles - FamilyToday Topic/date: Tue, 12/26th - TIME WASTED OR TIME WELL SPENT [living with no regrets] Family topic podcast: Making the most of every opportunity with our families Scriptures: Ps. 88:13; Prov. 16:3; 16:9; John 16:13 Prayer points: meditate on Eph. 5:15-16 letting it sink into our hearts; seek the Lord for ways to make the most of our time, paying attention to opportunities, identifying what we do that wastes time and replacing it with what matters more that exhibits love for God and for people. Resources:4 Biblical Truths to Help You Use Time Wisely (livingbydesign.org) Topic/date: Frid, 12/22nd - EMPTY NESTERS & RETIRED [Now what?] Family topic podcast: Empty nesters [Finding new normal, keeping active & persisting in prayer] Scriptures: Phil. 1:6; 2 Cor.10:10; Prov. 22:6 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Tips For Empty Nesters | How to Prepare for the Empty Nest (emptynestblessed.com); 7 Powerful Encouragements for the Empty Nester (crosswalk.com); Your Empty Nest Is God’s Opportunity | Christianity Today; Are you facing the empty nest? 10 Scriptures you need + hope! - Christi Gee Topic/date: Wed, 12/20th - TEENAGERS [Questions! Answers? Trusted Source?] Family topic podcast: teenagers 12-19 [grounded in the Word, supportive families & God’s love for them] Scriptures: James 1:21–26; Eph. 3;14-21; 1 Cor. 15:33 Prayer points: find faith in God and his love; find answers in the Word; sexual purity; filter sources; find safe family members to talk to; healthy peers; able to stand their ground despite pressure to conform; find beauty through God’s lens; protected from taking drugs laced with fentanyl; feel valued, important and needed. Resources: 10 CHALLENGES FACING CHRISTIAN YOUTH (jeremiahinstitute.com); Supporting Your Teenager: A Christian Counselor’s Advice, Part 2 | Bellevue Christian Counseling; 7 Challenges Teens Face Today - CCCRD | Center for Christian Counseling & Relationship Development Topic/date: Wed, 12/20th - SINGLENESS [Remaining single; Seeking Mate; Following God] Family topic podcast: Singles [by choice or in waiting mode] Scriptures: Jer. 29:11; Eccl. 3:1-8; Ps. 84:11 Prayer points: begin praying for their mates in advance, not just to have one but for their life, for God to bring the right one and not a decoy, a believer not unequally yoked, healthy ways to find a mate, peace and joy in the journey, acceptance for those seeking a celibate life, opportunities to do things without a partner, loneliness turn to ways to connect with others, not give in to fatalism but know God has good plans for them, faith to believe. Resources: 15 Bible Verses About Singleness | What God Says (justinemfulama.com); Christian Advice for Singles (The 4 Phases) | ApplyGodsWord.com; Lesson 8: Practical Advice For Singles (1 Corinthians 7) | Bible.org Topic/date: Tue, 12/19th - SHARING OUR FAITH [right motives, methods and material] Family topic podcast: Sharing faith with unsaved family [right motives, right methods and right material] Scriptures: James 5:16; Eph. 4:18; Acts 4:29-30 Prayer points: for hardened hearts to be tenderized and open to hear; breakdown of arguments; overcome by our testimonies, understanding and good questions to ask, discerning the time and situation when sharing [are they tired, sick, or hungry]; God to give them eyes to see and ears to hear above all the other noise; we model a good Christian life, apologizing and forgiving as needed, clothed in humility, remembering but for the grace of God we could still be unsaved. Topic/date: Mon, 12/18th - SEXUAL ISSUES [Whose body is it anyways? What am I looking at? Who am I attracted to?] Family topic podcast: Sexual Issues [Purity in/before marriage; Pornography; Person Identity] Scriptures: 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Heb. 13:4; Col. 3:5 Prayer points: godly teaching share in the family of sexual boundaries; that God made them for our safety and protection, a healthy respect for God’s views of it; empowered to wait until marriage; taught this in churches, youth groups and even children’s church; for people to RUN from sexual sin – turn off the shows, make a choice to not watch movies, listen to songs or play video games that contain sexual overtones, get into accountability groups to overcome addictions. Topic/date: Fri, 12/15 - SABBATH Family topic podcast: Sabbath [resting, intermission, work break] Scriptures: Ex. 20:8-11; Lev. 23:3; Matt. 11:28-30; Is. 58:13 Prayer points: yoke with Christ, learn from his gentle & humble walk; plan for the day, make it different than the rest; work less; social media refrain; quality time with friends/family, spend time with the Lord reading the Bible, listening to worship music, choosing entertainment that builds the Spirit; reevaluate your activities – what to keep what to stop. Resources: 15 Activities Strictly Prohibited on Shabbat in Israel - Secret Israel (secret-israel.com); Modern Day Sabbath | How to Rest & Refresh in a Time-Crunched Culture (debpreston.com) Topic/date: Thu, 12/14 - RESENTMENT Family topic podcast: Resentment [dividing tasks & teambuilding & sharing costs] Prayer points: members deal with their resentment, find solutions to share chores, costs and responsibilities; confront not avoid or give up; create rules that build teamwork and camaraderie, encourage mutual engagement, invitational communication, clear communication of expectations for each member at events, gatherings and meals; ways to unite not divide; lighten loads. Scriptures: Eccl. 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Eph. 4:16 Resources: Developing Family Teamwork - Kelly Crawford (crosswalk.com); How To Build A Strong Christian Family – The Bottom Line, Ministries (tblfaithnews.com); 5 Ways to Build Teamwork in Your Family - First Things First Topic/date: Wed, 12/13 - RECONCILIATION & FORGIVENESS Family topic podcast: Reconciliation & Forgiveness [Initiating I’m sorry; Harboring no offense; Forgiving mercifully] Prayer points: regularly forgive offenders, recognize how much they’ve been forgiven by God, daily pray the Lord’s prayer, listen to how they speak about family members, admit it is sin to speak ill of anyone, keep forgiving until it is from their heart, not retelling the offense, able to be the first to own their part in the problem and apologize, recognizing one of the things God hates is someone who causes division Scriptures: Matt. 18:21-22; Prov. 17:9; Matt. 6:9-13 Resources: Forgiveness within Christian Families | Help Club for Moms; Lesson 12: Reconciled Families (Malachi 4:4-6) | Bible.org; The ABCs of Christian Forgiveness: An 8-Step Approach - Binmin Topic/date: Tue, 12/12 - FAMILY MEMBERS WITH DISABILITY Family topic podcast: Families with Children or Adults with social, physical or mental disabilities [hope, healing or deliverance] Prayer points:find living hope, ongoing hope in the Lord for grace & strength; healing to the disabled, medical progress and success, not give up when tired; see the heightened traits of those challenged, appreciate and savor the good moments, support from extended family, cast their cares on the Lord and not take them back Scriptures: 3 John 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:3; 2 Thess. 3:13 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); 15 Scriptures To Pray For Your Child with Special Needs (embracing.life) Topic/date: Mon, 12/11 - UNSAVED LOVED ONES & PRODIGALS Family topic podcast: Prodigals & Unsaved loved ones [praying God’s word UNTIL . . .] Prayer points: persistence in prayer, removing any offense towards the one we pray for; asking for others to speak to them about the Lord, for them to see their condition from God’s perspective, to experience a pigsty moment like the prodigal and want to come home, for those who influence their lives be saved or removed; for God to remove the stony stubborn heart and replace with a tender, responsive heart, for dreams and visions of God’s love and judgment. Scripture[s]: Ezekiel 34:16; Jude 1:22-23; Luke 15:11-32; John 10:28-29; Ezek. 36: Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Pray Them Home: Three Prayers for Prodigal Children | Desiring God; Prayer for the Prodigal Son or Daughter (missionariesofprayer.org); 7 Prayers for Your Prodigal Child (ibelieve.com) Date/topic: Fri. 12/8 - PARENTING Family topic podcast: Parenting Issues [Exhaustion vs Yoking up with God & finding rest; Disconnect vs Playtime; Regretting moments missed vs Stopping to savor the moment] Prayer points: yoke up with the Lord to parent their kids, get energy and wisdom from the Lord; seek friends who are older parents, not do it alone; take breaks from kids to regroup; put away cell phones when kids need their attention; show the kids they are important and valued early and reinforce through the years; savor the moments when they are good and praise them openly; being honest and real; helping them see it’s not perfection that makes a good family; it’s love and forgiveness and a reliance on the Lord’s strength. Scripture[s]: Matt. 11:28-30; Is. 40:11; Eccl. 3:1 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); 8 Promises for Exhausted Parents - Christian Parenting (crosswalk.com); 7 Ways to Connect with Your Children (childdevelopmentinfo.com); 32 Ways to Savor Your Children While You Have Them (ericalayne.co) Prayer date: Thursday, Dec. 7th Family topic podcast: K-6 children [praying for their protection from harm; prevention from false teachings; resilience from pandemic aftermath and encouraged by the Holy Spirit] Prayer points: predators caught before harm comes to children; parents educate and monitor children’s social media use; parents heard and empowered at school district meetings; voice of parents greater than Dept. of Ed.; books with explicit/implicit sexual overtones be banned from K-6th grades; Covid aftermath cause them to more resilient; family uses it as dialogue to strengthen and inform, children feel valued and important at home. Scriptures: Jer. 29:11; Matthew 19:14; 1 Timothy 4:12 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Suspected internet predator arrested following multi-agency sting; police seeking more victims (newsbreak.com); Professor stumped why parents are concerned about sexual content in kids' book | WCIV (abcnews4.com); 7 Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kids (childrenshospitals.org); PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com) Prayer date: Wednesday, Dec. 6th Family topic podcast: Grandparents [leaving an enduring influence; praying until something happens; modeling Christ & God’s love] Prayer points: they would first focus on God and their love of Him would spill over to those around them, they would recognize what they do & say affects many; they would apologize, forgive and not hold offense from any family member; model persistent prayer & prayers of faith; their ending days would demonstrate the power of the Gospel; they would teach and not be afraid to speak the truth to their family in love; be grounded in God’s love & rock solid in their faith Scriptures: Ps. 145:4; Deut. 6:5-7; Ps. 78:1-8 Resources: How to be an Intentional Christian Grandparent - Grams and Pops; 4 Tips for Helping Grandchildren of Divorced Parents - Christian Grandparenting Network; 7 Essentials For Grandparenting Your Grandkids - Focus on the Family Prayer date: Tuesday, Dec. 5th Family topic podcast: Loving & Praying for our Extended Family [Do we really need them? How to love the ones that drive us nuts? What’s keeping us apart?] Prayer points: recognizing we need them to help us learn and grow; learn from their knowledge of our history & culture; loving/forgiving those who are like porcupines; glean from their strengths & skills & wisdom; recognizing though blood related we have new DNA; praying for troubled ones; seeking God’s view of the hurting ones; quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to get angry, holiday & celebrations are times of joy not drama Scriptures: Eccl. 4:9; 1 Tim. 2:1; 1 Cor. 1:10 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Prayer Of The Day - A Prayer For Extended Family - MARRIAGE AFTER GOD; The Extended Family in America | Christian Standard; 30 Intercessory Prayers For Family Breakthrough -Bibleandprayers.com; 17 Persistent Prayer Points For Family Breakthrough - Faith Victorious Date: Monday, Dec. 4th Family topic podcast: College & Adult Children [Co-dependent on Holy Spirit ; Dependent on God; Interdependent on Body of Christ] Prayer points: truth would win out over lies taught in some college classes; resolve to stay true to what they learned and believed about God while attending college, parents to release kids to God’s ultimate care; for godly friends to surround them when they leave; for support from other parents in prayer and ways to love kids from a distance; hedge of protection against the worldly temptations, a desire & ability to stay the course to follow Jesus, no matter what, to be a light in the darkness. Scriptures: Rom. 15:13; Phil. 1:6; Eph. 4:16 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Lead Your Adult Children Back to Christ - Christian Parenting (crosswalk.com); 10 Things to Remember When Your Adult Child Leaves the Church (ibelieve.com); Parenting Adult Children: Six Steps to Sanity - Christian Parenting (crosswalk.com) Date: Friday, Dec. 1st Family topic podcast: Divorce [Hurting Couple– Church Involvement – Hurting Kids] Prayer points: healing to both partners, healing to the children, children not blamed, not think they will divorce because parents did, godly role models for the children, church pray for not judge those involved, support from extended family, mediation, all feel valued, find purpose, closure, how to navigate in the new, for churches to have programs like divorce recovery. Scriptures: Eph. 6:18; James 5:13-16; Rom. 12:12 Resources: Prayers for Marriage - A Complete Biblical Guide (biblestudytools.com); 5 Important Prayers For When Going Through Divorce - The Graceful Chapter; How to Pray for the Child of Divorce - Hope 4 Hurting Kids Date: Thursday, Nov. 30th Family topic podcast: Childless by choice or not [No advice please, Never assume who is infertile; No children but still fulfilled in God] Prayer points: direction and open doors for those wanting children; safe people to discuss their pain, acceptance & no judgment by others for those that don’t want kids; renewed hope and strength as the childless couple looks for options; ways to deal with naysayers & when others conceive around them, hope where there’s despair, encouragement despite barrenness; the miracle of life & children, ways for them to love kids while waiting. Scriptures: Is. 54:1; Luke 23:29; 1 Cor. 7:8; Prov. 30:15-16 Resources: How You Can Care for the Childless (thegospelcoalition.org); When a Christian is Childless — World Childless Week; Don't Judge Me Because I'm Childless | Today's Christian Woman (todayschristianwoman.com) Prayer date: Wednesday, Nov. 29th Family topic podcast: Blended families [coming together not falling apart] Prayer points: common ground, open communication, healthy dialogues, truly listening to each other’s concerns, solutions that work, Jesus centered conversations, prayer & harmony, peace and connectedness, interdependence vs selfish ambitions, help from external sources, acceptance vs rejection to the new norms Scriptures: Galatians 3:28; Psalm 127:1; Eph. 2:14 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Christian Advice for Blended Families: 7 Helpful Tips (whatchristianswanttoknow.com); Blended Families - Problems, Challenges, Bible Verses | Preach It, Teach ItAsk Roger Detail | Preach It, Teach It (preachitteachit.org); Christian Family Counseling: Blended Families and Parenting | Mill Creek Christian Counseling Prayer date: Tuesday, Nov. 28th Family topic podcast: Babies & toddlers [never too early to teach about God, simple less is best, remember parents need spiritual formation too] Prayer points:  : parents find ways to get short breaks; others help them raise these little ones, protection, early they will know the Lord as savior, discipline appropriately to guide, divine wisdom through temper tantrums, parents & godly people speak good words over them, parents get sufficient input that is spiritual, physical and mental. Scriptures: Prov. 22:6; Is. 40:11; Jer. 1:5 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Powerful Prayers for a Baby - Holy Land Prayer; 35 Scriptures to Pray Over your Children (with Free Prayer Calendar) - (garmentsofsplendor.com) Prayer date: Monday, Nov. 27th Family topic podcast: Adopted & Fostered [Kids who need a forever family; Couple who needs a forever kid; Celebrate our adoption to God’s family] Prayer points:  Children waiting for adoption, hope, process smooth, adapting goes well; foster children in the system, foster children after the system ends, foster parents, for the right reasons, ethically, lovingly, treat as their own; adoptive parents, patience, ability to love through assimilation, both foster & adoptive parents supported by extended family, gratitude for having a Father who will NEVER leave us NOR forsake us and who provided us a forever family. Scriptures: James 1:27; Gal. 4:4-5; Ps. 10:14 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); 5 ways you can pray for adoptive families - ERLC; Adoption Prayer - Prayer Ideas; Prayer for Orphans (knowing-jesus.com); Foster Care as the Way of Christ | Desiring God Prayer date: Wednesday, Nov. 22nd Family topic podcast: Work & Family Life Balance [Work boundaries; Intentional Family time; Time out to restore] Prayer points:  families would limit nonessential activities; learn when to say "no"; establish boundaries; unplug; ask God what to keep & remove from home activities; let others know you need help; review tasks as a family; delegate more; what’s most important that you value; schedule family time; create mini-vacations where you rest; plan body-care and moments to exhale; savor the moments. Scriptures: Ps. 127:2: Prov. 23:4; 3 John 1:2; Eccl: 4:5-6 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Balancing Work and Family Life | Christian Bible Studies (christianitytoday.com); Work/Family Balance - Focus on the Family; 11 Tips To Help Balance Your Work and Family Life | Indeed.com Prayer date: Tuesday, Nov. 21st Family topic podcast: Video Games [To play or not to play, inviting God’s wisdom, monitoring costs/time expended] Prayer points:  families to look at content together, what value does the gaming provide, is it an intermission, fun entertainment or wasting time, how does it bond the family, is it destructive, looking for ways to play that bond families together; making decisions collectively, using as a teaching moment, for older members to review costs and time away from families, not be dominated by it, seek help if addicted Scriptures: Eph. 5:16-17; Ps. 101:3; 1 Cor. 6:12 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Should a Christian play video games? | GotQuestions.org Prayer date: Monday, Nov. 20th Family topic podcast: Strengthening Marriages [intentional work to love, accept & forgive] Prayer points:  for couples to be quick to forgive and apologize, not keep an account of wrongs, ask for you to be the 3rd chord that keeps them together, they seek God above all else, learn to accept and not try to change each other, learn each other’s way of giving and receiving love, to find time to connect, be open with each other/not hiding anything, divine wisdom to handle the external pressures. Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:7-8; Col. 3:13-14; Eph. 4:32 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com);6 Reasons Christian Marriages Struggle - Esther Littlefield; 13 QUESTIONS TO ASK FOR A MARRIAGE THAT LASTS; The Love Language™ Quiz (5lovelanguages.com) Prayer date: Friday, Nov. 17th Family topic podcast: Sports [Team, Spectators, Time, Costs; when is it an idol?] Prayer points:  Pray about behavior when playing or watching, parents teach good sportsmanship, how to lose and win gracefully, monitoring time/costs involved, is it drawing families closer or farther apart; ensuring it doesn’t take God’s place in their hearts; keeping God their first priority. Scriptures: 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; 1 John 5:21 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Spring Sports and Sunday Church | Desiring God; The Christian and Sport | Desiring God; 3 Questions to Detect Sports Idolatry (thegospelcoalition.org) Prayer date: Thursday, Nov. 16th Family topic podcast: Social Media Usage [Stop phubbing! Use parameters! Ask purpose!] Prayer points:  not to be on phone when someone is talking to you [phubbing]; setting clear boundaries on when to listen, what to watch & how to use for good & how much time; identify why families look at social media; remember you’re Christ’s ambassador online; connect with family, take breaks from it; consider fasting Scriptures: Ps. 101:3; 1 Cor. 10:31; Matt. 5:16 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com);Study Reveals Parents' Concerns About Social Media Use | Lurie Children's (luriechildrens.org); 15 Things Christians Should Stop Doing on Social Media - RELEVANT (relevantmagazine.com); How to reduce social media use – 12 simple proven steps (unscreen.org) Prayer date: Wednesday, Nov. 15th Family topic podcast: Schedules [Allotting time for God, family and self-care] Prayer points:  seeking God for what to keep and what to eliminate and what to add; making appointments to spend with family undistracted; 1:1 and communally, ensuring there’s time to care for body, soul & spirit Scriptures: Ps. 37:5; Eph. 5:15-17; Matt. 6:33; Is. 58:11 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); 10 Bible Verses about Schedule, Schedules & Scheduling. – Daily Bible Verse Blog (jollynotes.com); Your Parenting Goals Seem Good, So Why the Struggle? (connectedfamilies.org); How to get your family organized and on a schedule—in three steps (todaysparent.com) Prayer date: Tuesday, Nov. 14th Family topic podcast: Money Problems [Whose money is it anyways? – Love God or Love $ - It is never too early to learn] Prayer points: give to God first; generously, cheerful, save, learn to be content with what they have, not love money, not greedy, test God, tithe, spend appropriately, share with others, teach children how to spend/save and give to God, understand why we need to love God over money. Scriptures: Prov. 3:9; Prov. 6:6-8; Heb. 13:5 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); 10 key Scriptures to follow when managing your money - Christ Win; Money Management for the Christian Family - FamilyLife®; Teach Children How to Handle Money God's Way - Christian Finances (crosswalk.com) Prayer date: Monday, Nov. 13th Family topic podcast: Dealing with family mental illness [without going nuts] Prayer points: for the one experiencing - wholeness, healing, deliverance, able to forgive those who harmed, feel valued and important & see purpose in the body of Christ; freedom from fear/anxiety, mental disorders, able to make healthy choices; for the one caregiving - discernment, wisdom, patience, compassion; for the one observing – no judgment, empathy, intercession, words of encouragement, help person see they matter. Scriptures: Ps. 139:4; Ps. 34:17-18; Ps. 23:3; Is. 53:5 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); What does the Bible say about dealing with mental illness? | GotQuestions.org Prayer date: Friday, Nov. 10th Family topic podcast: Grief [Memorials, Memories, missing – for outsider; to speak or not to speak that is the question] Prayer points: during memorials cover the griever in prayer; emotions free not held back; find the source of comfort, the Holy Spirit, the comforter; words inappropriately spoken overlooked, during times of remembering pray people show their love by their actions fewer words spoken; for the later days when they miss the loved one pray for the griever to want to live, not give up, care for themselves and not seek destructive things to numb the pain; pray they recognize it’s a process and eventually accept it and work through it until they see their future purpose. Scriptures: Ps. 23:4A; 2 Cor. 1:3-4; Is. 40:13 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); How to Heal from Grief - GriefShare; Helping Those Who Grieve - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (biblicalcounseling.com) Prayer date: Thursday, Nov. 9th Family topic podcast: Gender identity [Finding freedom in God's initial design] Prayer points: For family members who chose to be LGBTQ+; for family members dealing with those who chose it; first that we always define others as children of God; for the family member to draw closer to Christ; for wise counsel, not derision or coddling; that homosexual friends and family respect their Christian loved ones; for them to know they were designed by God; for healthy conversations, protection from suicidal thoughts, truth would set them free; for loving people to speak to them Scriptures: Gen. 1:27; Rom. 1:26-27; John 8:7-11; Deut. 22:5 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com) Prayer date: Wednesday, Nov. 8th Family topic podcast: Entertainment [watching & listening with Jesus by our side] Prayer points: Reminder Jesus is with you all the time when we take in entertainment, be aware of little ones around, whether music, movies, video games or other types would not be an idol in our lives, for Holy Spirit to help you understand the Bible’s entertainment principles, for wisdom as you establish family media standards, to get rid of temptations [i.e. stop a streaming service, throw away what uses foul language, sensual, or God’s name in vain; fast it for 30 days, for strength to resist the temptation to indulge in entertainment that doesn’t glorify God; that the changes made will last. Scriptures: Ps. 119:37; Ex. 20:3; Josh. 1:8 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Making Wise Entertainment Choices - Focus on the Family; Hymn: Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see (hymnal.net) Prayer date: Tuesday, Nov. 7th Family topic podcast: Dependence Issues [Co, Inter, Independence or God] Prayer points: Identifying who we are depending on – man or God; are we the cause of their dependence; learning each member matters; each family can do something; co-dependent means we’re not relying on God; interdependence means we need each other; independence means I can do it by myself, me is at the center of relationships, God dependence means I recognize the Potter, I’m the clay and under His leadership and need to depend on Him. Scriptures: Phil. 4:13, Matt. 10:37; 1 John 4:7-8 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); What does the Bible say about interdependence? | GotQuestions.org Prayer date: Monday, Nov. 6th Family topic podcast: Geographically distant [praying for those we want to love as if they are close when they are far] Prayer points: use the prayer in the resource to intercede for your loved one who is distant Scriptures: Ps. 34:7; Ps. 91:11-13; Is. 41:9-13 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Praying For Children Moving Away From Home - The Father's Business (thefathersbusiness.com) Prayer date: Friday, Nov. 3rd Family topic podcast: Communication [Are you really listening? What are you saying? Get off the phone while we're talking!] Prayer points: making a choice to listen out of love; get rid of distractions, right place right time, seeking to understand first, be humble, gentle, patient, make allowance for their faults, be united, seek peace, speak truth in love, communicate intentionally, be angry & don't sin, build each other up with wholesome language, be kind and forgiving, put away phones. Scriptures: Eph. 4:1-3; 15-16; 23-24; 26-27; 29; 31-32 Resources: PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com); Family Communication God's Way - Christian Parenting (crosswalk.com) Prayer date: Thursday, Nov. 2nd Family topic podcast: Caregivers & Family Member needing Care [whose member is it anyways? Learning to love God & self to love others. Prayer points: spending quality time with God; taking Sabbath time to restore; renewed with love to care for family member; finding joy in the caring, combatting fatigue with enough sleep & down time, paying attention to red flags in the member and in self, able to receive care without feeling like a burden; clear communication of needs, getting help, sharing the load; more than a duty – it’s a service to God. Scripture[s]: 1 John 3:17; Phil. 2:4; Gal. 6:10 Resources: A Biblical Perspective on Caregiving | Joni and Friends; PRAYER FOCUS: Families (sbcuniteandawake.com) Prayer date: Wednesday, Nov. 1st Family topic podcast: Arguments & Conflicts - Biblical approach [it's not about winning] Prayer points: Identify root cause; examine motives; lean on grace; put on humility; create an environment of thanksgiving, pray before and after the conflict or argument, seek resolution not restitution, the end game is not your way or my way - it's God's way. Scripture[s]: James 4:1-3 NLT; Phil 2:4 NLT Resources: Handling Conflict Biblically and Constructively: Encouraging articles from Family Fire — Family Fire; Conflict Management: A Biblical Approach — Family Fire Prayer date: Family topic podcast: Prayer points: Scriptures: Resources: Topic/date: Tue, 12/27th - INSTILLING VALUES [by God's not man's standards] Family topic podcast: Scriptures: Resources:

updated 10/23/23 City Web Site Prayer podcasts: for the city; for the officials Helendale or Silver Lakes, which is a subdivision of Helendale and is an unincorporated community with est. population at 5,432 [2023]; settled in Victor Valley of the Mojave Desert, located near Route 66, west of the I-15, between Barstow and Victorville. The name Helendale is used by the USPS, while Silver Lakes is used by the US Census. Demographics: overall crime grade is D- [see more details below]; M:F 1:1; median age is 46; 31% households with children; average household income $78K; 77% own; 23% rent; high school grad 29%; some college 37%; 31% college degrees; never married 19%; married 62%; 9% widowed; 10% divorced; 80% white including Hispanic; 5% African American; Asian 3%; other 12%. History In 1881 the Southern Pacific and the A&P Railroads came near what would later be Helendale. In the early 1900s, cars began to be used more and more so better roads became necessary. The National Old Trails planned a road from Los Angeles to New York, and they aligned it next to the AT & Santa Fe railroad tracks from Cajon Pass to Needles. The road passed through Helendale. In 1926, the N.O.T. highway became part of the US highway which later was known as US 66. In spite of this, Route 66 was known as the "National Old Trails Road" for many years in California. After WW II, traffic grew and the road had over 1 million travellers in 1960 that passed through Helendale, the need to form a new highway arose. Interstate system created in 1956 bypassed both US 66 and US 91 making travellers use I-15 and I-40, bypassing Helendale for good. Two artificial lakes were built at Helendale in 1969 covering 277 acres and a resort community named "Silver Lakes" was developed along their shores. They are located just west of the Mojave River and Route 66. “Silver Lakes or Helendale; best kept secret in Southern California; the gem of the Mojave" Map of Hellendale Location of Hellendale in SBC Specific Prayer Points | Video about Silver Lakes Environmental issues: water theft likely due to illegal marijuana farms Governed by: Community Service District board members & District 1 SBC Board Supervisor Poverty rate: 14%; the poorest groups are children under 6 at 33%; 6-11 yrs. 26%; 12-17 yrs. at 16%. Crime issues: [2022] A crime occurs every 21 hours 3minutes (on average); overall crime is D+; violent crime is C+; property crime D-; other crime is B+; top crime issues are theft at 38% [very high]; drug crimes & vandalism 5% Schools & District: School board members; Independence Charter Academy Spiritual issues: Only 3 churches for a city of 6K; pray for more to arise or for them to visit nearby city churches; intercessors to rise up and boldly pray for this suburb, laborers for the harvest, hearts softened to receive the Lord, lives transformed by the Gospel, enthusiasm and boldness among believers to share their faith, acts of kindness that leads people to repentance, conviction/repentance; awakening to the call of the Lord to be "active" not sitting Churches & Ministries [not exhaustive] Grace Bible church [Pastor Dave Zierenberg, Evangelical Free Church of America Silver Lakes Community Church [Southern Baptist Convention, Pastor Mark Wood] Hellendale Community Church [non-denominational] Rehab Center: Victory Outreach San Bernardino - The Ranch in Helendale - to reach out to hurting people & prepare them as “Treasures Out of Darkness” for the work of the ministry through discipleship, leadership development, and academic training.

Base Web Site Prayer Podcasts: for base; for officials Mission: The National Training Center trains rotational training units, joint, interagency and multinational partners to build and sustain readiness to fight and win, while simultaneously caring for our Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members. Demographics; est. population [2022] 9,100; army personnel and support staff; varies in demographics based on rotating assignments. Fort Irwin is a city located in San Bernardino County California. Located almost 37 miles northeast of Barstow, midway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the High Mojave Desert's hills and mountains surround the installation. The average household income in Fort Irwin is $60,449 with a poverty rate of 13.97%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Fort Irwin is 22.7 years, 22.9 years for males, and 21.7 years for females. Racial composition 60% white; 19% African American; 2+ races 10%; Asian 8%; Other 4%. Average family size 3. Education Graduate 6%; BS 19%; AA 11%; some college 38%; HS grad 21%; <HS 5%. Language: 82% English only; 11% Spanish; Asian & Pacific Island 6%; Other 1%. 53% married; .5% widowed; 9% divorced; 3% separated; never married 34%. 862 veterans; 584 M; 278 F; 710 2nd Gulf War; ; 174 1st Gulf War. 87% are in labor force participation; 27% employment rate; 10% unemployment rate. 26.63% Born in Fort Irwin; 93.18% Native Born; 6.82% Foreign Born; 2.61% Non-Citizen; 4.21% Naturalized. History [click to see reference] The base begins with Father Francisco Garces 1796 and the Old Spanish trail; Captain John C. Fremont with his guide Kit Carson surveying water-to-water; 1st Dragoons, Co. K that ran patrols out of Camp Cady 1860-66 and it was the first military camp established in the region; and the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range that became Camp/Fort Irwin. 1940--Present. In 1940 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range (MAAR), a military reservation of approximately 1000 square miles, known today as the National Training Center. 11th ACR's first established and deployed from Fort Myers, Virginia and was sent to the Philippine Islands in June 1901 for the Philippine Insurrection, then to Cuba for the Cuban Pacification from 1906-09; But when the revolutionary "Poncho" Villa raided the town of Columbus, New Mexico and the Regiment was deployed to Mexico and the Punitive Expedition of 1916 began; and the "Last Charge" in the US Army’s history was conducted on the 5 May 1916. As WW II developed the guarding of the Mexico-American border was no longer necessary the Regiment was sent to Europe and deployed to the Ardennes for the "Battle of the Bulge". From 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945 "the largest battle by the United States and was the largest land battle of World War II was fought. The "Border Legion" was the name given to the troops in Germany after the war, and the "Cold War Heats Up" from March 1957-1964. The Regiment was in Vietnam from 7 September 1966--March 1972 where the nickname of the "Blackhorse" became a legend and with three Medal of Honor recipients. The Warsaw Pact and the legitimacy of the Eastern Europe's Communist military ended with the infamous Berlin Wall came down on the 9 November 1989. The unexpected Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 triggered the Gulf Crisis that gripped the world's attention. The Regiment serve as the fresh troops that would go in if a counter offensive attack came, none developed so they return to Germany. On 16 October 1994 the Regiment reflagged and "The Best of the Best" now trains Today’s Army, at Fort Irwin, California. The Regiment now serves as the Opposing Force (OPFOR), using Russian Doctrine as a learning tool. From January 2005—17 March 2006 the Regiment was deployed to Iraqi Freedom -War on Terrorism. Returning to Fort Irwin to reorganize as a deployable Heavy Brigade Combat Team while they are continuing to serve in rotational support for the military, today. "Lead...Train...Win...Train the Force to win in Large Scale Combat Operations!" Map of Fort Irwin Location of Fort Irwin in SBC Specific Prayer Points Governed by: Leadership: FORT IRWIN (army.mil); a commanding General & Command Sergeant Major; under 1st District of SBC & hosts an office for Veterans under SBC Veteran Affairs Crime issues: [2022] A crime occurs every 1 day 5 hours (on average) in Fort Irwin; overall crime grade is B-; violent crime D+; property crime A; other crime C-; top crime issues are 15% [very high] drug crimes; vandalism 9% Poverty rate: 14% [<CA average 15%] 7% males; 16% females Units/Tenants: 11th Armored Calvary Regiment; 916th Support Brigade; NTC Operations Group; Network Enterprise Center; Joint Center of Excellence; Mission & Installation Contracting Command; Reserve Component Operations Command & Training; Special Forces Recruiting Fort Irwin; NTC Staff G-1; Army Community Hospital Weed-Irwin Spiritual needs: chaplains share the Gospel boldly and with results, believing soldiers and supporting staff share the Gospel with boldness, followed by signs and wonders that bring people to Christ; intercessors rise up and claim this Fort and its personnel for Jesus; protection for those that serve in battle or overseas; military marriages given Godly counsel and help in maintaining the distant relationships; military families and children find Jesus and a solid ground as they deal with the many issues facing them like moving around; revival at the base; divine opportunities to talk about the Lord as they deal with real time skirmishes; an awakening and fire to the lukewarm and those sitting not actively involved with their faith Churches [not exhaustive] Religious services provided for Catholics; Non-denominational Christians, Latterday Saints and Muslims at the Center Chapel Ft. Irwin Religious Support & Chaplain [on base] Oasis Worship Experience at Fort Irwin Blackhorse Chapel [For transition help] nearby churches in Barstow and Newberry Springs

updated 10/16/23 Location: Demographics; Map of Cedarpines Park Location of Cedarpines Park History of Cedarpines Park “motto" Specific Prayer Points Spiritual: Governed by: Schools/Districts: Crime Statistics: [2022] A crime occurs every 2 days 23 hours; overall crime grade is D; violent is C-; property is B+; other is D-. Top crime issues 37% drug crimes [very high]; vandalism 15%; burglary 6%. Points of interest: Churches [not exhaustive]

updated 10/2/23 City Web Site Prayer Podcasts: for the city; for the officials & SBC Sheriff Devore Heights, or Devore, is a residential neighborhood located north of the junction of Interstate 15 and Interstate 215, about 12 miles northwest of downtown San Bernardino. It is also the last town to pass through before taking the Cajon Pass to reach Hesperia. The area is just outside the boundaries of the San Bernardino National Forest; Glen Helen Pavilion & Amphitheater, the largest in North America, is located just south of Devore. Demographics: M: F 51:49%; median age 29; 50% families with children; average income $82K; 13% below poverty; 62% own; 38% rent; 44% married; 43% never married;42% high school grad; 30% some college; 12% college degree; overall crime grade is F [see details below]; 58% white; 39% Hispanic; 1% African American and Asian; est. population [2021] 2,283. History | Video of History In 1776, Father Garces, a missionary, traveled along the Mohave Indian Trail on foot across the width of San Bernardino County from the Mohave villages on the Colorado River through the valley on his way to Mission San Gabriel. In March of that year, he headed down a ridge between Cable and Devil canyons, crossed the nearby Cajon Creek and passed through what is now Devore. Near Glen Helen Park [current], the Serrano Indian village noted by Garces during his visit. In 1819, Father Joaquin Pascal Nuez noticed the same village and christened it Santisma Trindad. In 1826, the Mohave Trail offered access to a fur trapping party led by 27-year-old Jedediah Smith passed through the Devore area, much as Garces had done a half century earlier. In 1847, a US Army group called the Mormon Battalion stayed at “Camp Cajon”. Mormon families camped in the area then Amasa Lyman and Charles Rich, purchased the Rancho San Bernardino. During the 1850s, George Martin and his family established a way station on the old wagon road connecting the San Bernardino Valley and the Mojave Desert. The road ran west of Cajon Creek. “Martin’s Station” was a popular rest stop for weary travelers passing through the Cajon Pass for some 30 years, generally serving as the first stop out from San Bernardino. In 1858, Major William Hoffman, scouted the Mojave Desert for military post sites. The “modern” era of Devore began in 1902. That year an ambitious and highly successful Chicago businessman by the name of John A. Devore purchased 1,800 acres of land in the mouth of Cajon Canyon with the goal of transforming his acquisition into a real showplace. In fact, in his obituary of Feb. 15, 1907, The Sun acknowledged that John Devore’s dream had blossomed into promoting the area into a “world-famous resort for tourists.” A San Bernardino Festival of the Arrowhead in May 1908, “Devore Heights is to San Bernardino what Smiley Heights is to Redlands, one of the prize show places of California.” In 1924, the one-room Cajon School, gave way to a “new” Cajon School. This two-room native rock structure was built across from the old Cajon School, near the corner of Cajon Boulevard and Devore Road. Many of the students had the luxury of riding in a bus driven by Jake Roesch, the eventual founder of Roesch Bus Lines. It stayed in business until Kimbark School took its place in 1969. “Let's work together." Map of Devore Location of Devore in SBC Specific Prayer Points Spiritual: Intercessors to rise up and pray for this area; for revival to break out; for some Christian organization to host a Revival meeting at the Glen Helen Ampitheater. Governed by: San Bernardino County 2nd District Crime issues: [2022] overall crime grade is B, violent crime grade is C+; property crime is B+ and other crime is B-; top issues are vandalism 12% [high] and vehicle theft 6%. Points of Interest: Glen Helen Amphitheater [a 65,000-capacity amphitheater; largest outdoor music venue in the US. The orchestra, box, and loge sections seat a combined 10,902 people, while the lawn section seats 54,098. Constructed in 1982, when Steve Wozniak & The Unuson Corporation completely redeveloped the land to have a site to put on the 1982 US Festival.] Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center [holds almost 1500 inmates, minimum & maximum security; Glen Helen Raceway Churches [not exhaustive] Community church of Devore [Marco Quintana – Pastor] remaining churches are in San Bernardino, Fontana

In July & August we will be addressing one topic a day that affects schools in our region. These will be informational and include a prayer podcast. We also will be campaigning to match every school in the county with a committed prayer partner. Pray for the top issues, schools currently face in the upcoming 2023-24 school year Please e-mail us at sbcuniteandawake@gmail.com if you would like to commit to praying for a school. Include the school name/city where it's located. An updated web page will post what schools have a committed prayer partner and what's left. [If you notice a school is not listed, please e-mail us their information, along with their website.] Short Prayer Podcasts are linked by day below. Helpful Resources Intercessors for America Prayers & Decrees for Schools Guide Prayer for Safety of School Campuses - Intercessors for America (ifapray.org) Top 7 Bible Verses About Bullying And Dealing With Bullies | Jack Wellman (patheos.com) Real Impact: Action Alerts See You At The Pole™ (syatp.com) Ten Things to Pray for Students - Rooted Ministry 5 Ways to Share Your Faith at School - The Rebelution 3 Simple Ways For Kids To Share Their Faith at School - MyLifetree 8 Powerful Back To School Prayers | Think About Such Things 22 Effective Back to School Prayers (christianity.com) Week 31 - (2023) Taking Back the Generations!   - City By City (city-by-city.org) HOW TO PUSH BACK AGAINST CRITICAL RACE THEORY - Intercessors for America (ifapray.org) Three Biblical Problems with Critical Race Theory | Answers in Genesis Know Your Child's School brochure

Updated: 7/7/23 Check on the status of your city[ies] by clicking on the link[s] below. Every city page will have a list of schools, district & number of prayer partners committed to that school. The goal is to match one prayer partner to every school in SBC who will commit to pray during the 2023-24 school year. For those committed to praying for a school, we will send prayer points & resources every Friday, starting in September until the school year ends. There are four ways you can help: 1) commit to pray for a school[s]; find others who will also commit to pray; 3) call churches and/or prayer groups and get the word out and 4) pray that every school get matched with at least one prayer partner. Imagine what God will do as we commit to praying. Feel free to commit to more than one school, if desired. Help us match every school in San Bernardino County with a prayer partner. E-mail us at sbcuniteandawake@gmail.com if you would like to commit to praying for a school. Each city below has a linked page to a list of the schools in their area. It will show what schools have a matched committed prayer partner. If you notice a school missing from the list, email us the school name, city and website.

Help us find people to commit during this school year [2023-24], to pray for at least one school, from the list below. Schools are listed alphabetically by city, then by school. You can pray for all the schools in a city or pick one school or schools near your residence or workplace. Interested in praying? Send us an e-mail with which city and school name you want to commit to pray for at sbcuniteandawake@gmail.com [If a school is not listed, please contact us and provide the city/school name and web site] This will be updated daily Monday-Friday. Last updated:

And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7 Will you join other intercessors/believers to pray for one city a day, Monday-Friday through the months of May and June? Some of the cities are very populated and might take more than one day to pray for all their needs. Each weekday there will be a podcast and link to the city's web page. Do you live in any of these cities? Know any other information to add to the prayer points? Please e-mail us at sbcuniteandawake@gmail.com

When you look at the picture, you see people praying in various ways, holding hands by their sides, holding hands up, individually lifting hands and praying hands. We are unique, designed to be different but of one purpose. We are calling believers in the churches & ministry organizations of SBC to hear the clarion call to pray for one another. At a time when the church is seeing more persecution, we need to rally to support one another. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. [Ps. 133] Friday, Jun 30th - Interceding for San Bernardino & Senior Pastors Podcast: Praying for San Bernardino churches & Senior Pastors throughout SBC to see more support in uplifting prayer & given words of encouragement, more volunteers to help out, a greater awakening that all believers need to reach the lost; members would be loving to their families. Scripture: Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority because they keep watching over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Prayer Points for: San Bernardino Prayer Points for: Senior Pastors & Statistics Thursday, Jun 29th - Interceding for Fontana & Associate Pastors Podcast: Praying for Fontana churches & Associate Pastors throughout SBC to make collaborative decisions to maintain the finances, property & possessions of the church. Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Prayer Points for: Fontana Prayer Points for: Associate Pastors Wednesday, Jun 28th - Interceding for Ontario & Trustee Boards Podcast: Praying for Ontario churches & Trustee Boards throughout SBC to ensure the temple of God, the physical structure meets His standards. Scripture: Ex. 25:9 “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.” Prayer Points for: Ontario Prayer Points for: Trustee Boards Tuesday, Jun. 27th - Interceding for Rancho Cucamonga & Church Leadership Boards Podcast: Praying for Rancho Cucamonga churches & Leadership Boards throughout SBC to make decisions as a team that are Christ-centered and creative. Scripture: Ps. 133:1 “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Prayer Points for: Rancho Cucamonga Prayer Points for: Leadership Boards Monday, Jun. 26th - Interceding for Rialto & Victorville & Church Administrators Podcast: Praying for Rialto & Victorville churches & Church Administration throughout SBC to feel supported, have sufficient resources to do their work, & do it with excellence. Scripture: 1 Cor. 12:28 “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” Prayer Points for: Rialto & Victorville Prayer Points for: Church Administration Friday, Jun 22nd - Interceding for Chino & Hesperia & Outreach Ministry Leaders Podcast: Praying for Chino & Hesperia churches & Outreach ministries in throughout SBC to evangelize those outside the church walls Scripture: Mk. 16:15 “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” Prayer Points for: Chino & Hesperia Prayer Points for: Outreach Ministry Leader Thursday, Jun 21st - Interceding for Upland, Chino Hills & Prayer Ministry Leaders Podcast: Praying for Upland & Chino Hills churches & Prayer ministries in SBC to experience a mighty move of God Scripture: 1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” & Col. 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Prayer Points for: Upland & Chino Hills Prayer Points for: Prayer Ministry Leaders Wednesday, Jun 21st - Interceding for Redlands, Apple Valley & Men's Ministry Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Redlands & Apple Valley and Men’s Ministry leaders throughout SBC to build confidence in their God given roles Scripture: 1 Tim. 6:11-12 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Prayer Points for: Redlands & Apple Valley Prayer Points for: Men’s Ministry Leaders Tuesday, Jun 20th - Interceding for Colton, Highland & Women's Ministry Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Colton & Highland and Women’s Ministry leaders throughout SBC to help women reach their God-desired potential. Scripture: Psalm 46:5 “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” 1 Tim. 3:11 “In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” Prayer Points for: Colton & Highland Prayer Points for Women’s Ministry Leaders Monday, Jun 19th - Interceding for Montclair, Yucaipa & Couple's Ministry Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Montclair & Yucaipa and Couples’ Ministry leaders throughout SBC to keep believers & marriages thriving. Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6 “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Prayer Points for: Montclair& Yucaipa Prayer Points for: Couples’ Ministry Leaders Friday, Jun 16th - Interceding for Loma Linda, Adelanto & Worship Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Loma Linda & Adelanto and Worship leaders throughout SBC to help people praise the Lord from their heart Scripture: Ps. 100:1-4 “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Prayer Points for: Loma Linda & Adelanto Prayer Points for Recovery Group Leaders: Worship Leaders Thursday, Jun 15th - Interceding for Barstow, Twentynine Palms & Recovery Group Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Barstow & Twentynine Palms and also Recovery group leaders throughout SBC to experience freedom & deliverance Scripture: 1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Prayer Points for: Barstow & Twentynine Palms Prayer Points for Recovery Group Leaders: Recovery Group Leaders Wednesday, Jun 14th - Interceding for Bloomington, Yucca Valley & Small Group Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Bloomington & Yucca Valley and also small group leaders throughout SBC to grow authentic & accountable relationships Scripture: Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Prayer Points for: Bloomington & Yucca Valley For Small Group Leaders: Small Group Leaders Tuesday, Jun 13th - Interceding for Grand Terrace, Phelan & Youth Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Grand Terrace & Phelan and also youth leaders throughout SBC to be blessed and flourish Scripture: 1 Tim. 4:12 “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” Prayer Points for: Grand Terrace & Phelan For Youth Leaders: Prayers for Youth Leaders Monday, Jun 12th - Interceding for Muscoy, Big Bear City & Childrens' Leaders Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Big Bear City & Muscoy and also children’s leaders throughout SBC Muscoy has the highest poverty rate 39% & drug crime 41% in the county; it’s also a suburb & east of San Bernardino city with almost 11K people. Twelve churches reach out to the people in this city. Big Bear City covers the east side of Big Bear Lake with almost 13K people living there & has 8 churches ministering to this community. Children’s leaders often are volunteers. Most people find Jesus as children; 43% before age 12. Will you STOP & pray with us for a few minutes? Scripture: Luke 18:16 NIV “But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Churches/Ministries: Prayer Points for: Big Bear City & Muscoy For Children’s Leaders: How to pray for Children’s Ministry, Leaders & Volunteers Friday, Jun 9th - Churches & Ministries in Joshua Tree & VBS in SBC Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Joshua Tree & VBS throughout SBC Scripture: Matt. 21:16 & Ps. 8:2 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’” Prayer Points: pastors connect & pray together to encourage and build unity; their congregations pray together; intercessors arise to claim this area for Jesus; recovery groups for those dealing with addictions, deliverance from strongholds, a move of the Lord in the churches to bring the lost to salvation; an awakening to those that know Him but aren't doing anything; baptism of fire that brings transformation and reformation in the city and national park For VBS: Prayer for VBS (inspirational-prayers.com) More info about city: Joshua Tree Thursday, Jun 8th - Churches & Ministries in Fort Irwin Podcast: Praying for the churches & ministries in Fort Irwin Scripture: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV) Churches/Ministries: Ft. Irwin Religious Support & Chaplain [on base]; Oasis Worship Experience at Fort Irwin; Blackhorse Chapel [For transition help] Prayer Points: chaplains share the Gospel boldly and with results, believing soldiers and supporting staff share the Gospel with boldness, followed by signs and wonders that bring people to Christ; intercessors rise up and claim this Fort and its personnel for Jesus; protection for those that serve in battle or overseas; military marriages given Godly counsel and help in maintaining the distant relationships; military families and children find Jesus and a solid ground as they deal with the many issues facing them like moving around; revival at the base; divine opportunities to talk about the Lord as they deal with real time skirmishes; an awakening and fire to the lukewarm and those sitting not actively involved with their faith More info about city: Fort Irwin Wednesday, Jun 7th - Churches & Ministries in Oak Hills Podcast: Praying for the churches & ministries in Oak Hills Scripture: Matt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Prayer Points: more churches arise for such a large town, intercessors arise and claim this city for Jesus, Bible studies for those who cannot attend a church have to travel to another town; those who know the Lord share their faith with boldness, neighborhood prayer walks or drives focusing on divine opportunities to build relationships; laborers for the harvest, hearts softened towards the Gospel; signs and wonders follow that show the power of God and bring people to Christ; increase in home groups; house churches develop with the large lots and homes available. More info about city: Oak Hills (sbcuniteandawake.com) Tuesday, Jun 6th - Churches & Ministries in Mentone Podcast: Praying for the churches & ministries in Mentone Scripture: Ps. 147:13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. Prayer Points: Churches unite & experience revival, intercessors rise up, pray and claim this city for Jesus, believers commit to prayer walks through their neighborhoods, prayer groups arise and declare the city reforms on truth not exaggeration, repentance/conviction of sin that transforms lives by the power of the Gospel spoken in boldness, believers to share their faith at work and with friends and service people, churches to unite in prayer for revival and an awakening; external and internal growth by the transforming work of the Lord; evangelistic outreaches that meet the unique needs of this community; creative ways to share online; increase in children, young adults and millennial attendance; enough finances; More info about city: Mentone (sbcuniteandawake.com) Monday, Jun 5th - Churches & Ministries in Spring Valley Lake Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & ministries in Spring Valley Lake Scripture: “I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water.” Is. 41:18 Prayer Points: internal & external growth in the believers, boldness to share the gospel, laborers for the harvest, prayer arises in each church and ministry, praise & worship comes from the heart not lip service, marriages grow and thrive, families unite, Bible teaching that trains and equips the saints to do the work of the ministry, enough finances; recovery groups that help people get set free from strongholds, addictions and how to stay free, discipleship that teaches how to reproduce, evangelistic outreaches in the community, healthy home groups that foster authenticity and accountability, gifts and callings clearly identified so each person in the body does their part, salvations, transformed lives, water baptisms that cause others to dedicate their lives to the Lord, a reverential fear of God in each church that produces a spirit of repentance and reformation More info about city: Spring Valley Lake (sbcuniteandawake.com) Friday, June 2nd - Churches & Ministries in Lake Arrowhead Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & ministries in Lake Arrowhead Scripture: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Is. 52:7 NLT City: Lake Arrowhead Pop. 9,647 [2022] Located east of Crestline, north of San Bernardino & Yucaipa; west of Big Bear Lake. Twin Peaks, Cedar Glen, Blue Jay, Skyforest, Agua Fria, Deer Lodge Park are smaller towns surrounding Lake Arrowhead. Visited often for its boating, fishing, hiking, village shopping, camping, dining and lodging. Churches/Ministries: Church of the Woods [Pastor Rod Akins]; Sandals Church - Lake Arrowhead [Pastor Ian Price]; Lakeside Church [Non-denominational & evangelical , Pastor Mack Braden]; Mt Calvary Lutheran [Pastor Randy Buecheler; Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church [Pastor Dr. William Stanley]; Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church [Retreat Center, Retreat Facilitator, Terri MacDonald]; Mountain Jewish Community [President Renee Lewis]; UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge [couples, groups, retreat] Prayer Points: Churches unite & experience revival, intercessors claim this city and surrounding towns for Christ, an awakening occurs among the believers, a hunger for the word and prayer, deep conviction of sin that brings about transformed lives and reformation in the city, acts of kindness lead people to Jesus, Christian bookstore thrives, laborers for the harvest, boldness to share the Gospel, signs and wonders be done in the name of Jesus that draws people to God because they see His power in action. More info about city: Lake Arrowhead (sbcuniteandawake.com) Thursday, June 1st - Churches & Ministries in Pinon Hills Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & ministries in Pinon Hills Joel 2:28-29 “It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” City: Pop. 7,641 [2022] Located west of Phelan off of Highway 138; 28 miles east of Palmdale, and 15 miles west of the Cajon Pass and Interstate 15, 25 miles of Hesperia and Victorville; in a tri-community that consists of Piñon Hills, Phelan, and Wrightwood. Churches/Ministries: Shepherd's Call Baptist church [Pastor Stephen Jenney]; The Door Ministry [non-denominational] Prayer Points: more churches to rise up to minister to this city of almost 8K people; intercessors to claim this town for Christ, laborers to reach this demographic group; supportive ministries to help people recover from addictions, abuse, deliverance and power of the Holy Spirit to set them free; ministries that focus on finding ways for them to replace their physical cravings for Jesus and His love; to get them involved with ministering to others; pastors to work together and pray; for people to unite in prayer and build bridges; a spiritual awakening and revival; Bible studies in homes increase, boldness to preach the gospel & share testimonies with those living there; divine opportunities to share Jesus in both tangible & spiritual ways; God to be glorified in this city. More info about city: Pinon Hills (sbcuniteandawake.com) Wednesday, May 31st - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries. Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & ministries in Crestline City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: 2 Cor. 1:3-4 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” pastors pray together, unity among believers, revival and awakening in each church , laborers for the harvest, creative ways to help those battling with addictions, support and prayer and transformation for those facing abuse, healing and deliverance, decrease in the meth problem and replaced with a desire for the things of the Holy Spirit; intercessors to rise up and claim this city for God, that the Lord would move in such a mighty way that it would be in the news the changes that occur, for growth internally & externally, the Word of God revered and taught, hunger & thirst for righteousness, ministries reach community, laborers for harvest, effective discipleship training, Bible teaching trains and equips people to do the work of the ministry, altars filled, people reconciling with God and others; balanced time for ministers with family/ministry/alone with God; strengthen marriages & families, generous congregations. Add your own ideas. Crestline [pop. 9,350]; Located off Highway 138; rim of the world highway, east of Interstate 15; east of Silverwood Lake; west of Twin Lakes and Lake Arrowhead. Gateway to camping and recreation activities of the San Bernardino National Forest. Churches: Lake Gregory Community Church [Pastor Dan Stipp; nondenominational, background with Campus Crusade for Christ]; Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish [Rev. Neil D. Fuller, S.V.D.]; Crestline First Baptist [Pastor Bill & Debbie]; Crestline New Life Fellowship Church [Assembly of God, Pastor Matt & Tracey Shorey]; Twin Peaks Community Church [Pastor Mike Whisner]; Mountain Hope Center [Pastor Kristen Williams] Camps: Thousand Pines Christian Camp & Conference Center [exists to help people see, know, and experience God] Ministries: Jubilee Mountain Fellowship [Ministry of Domestic Missionaries, a homeless outreach, a prison ministry, a youth and young adult program, a food ministry, and a weekly Christian fellowship—that volunteers can plug into and donors can support] Tuesday, May 30th - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries. Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches in Lucerne Valley City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Col. 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Repentance for Chimney Rock Massacre, reconciliation with Indian tribes, spirit of murder and drug abuse overcome by Holy Spirit transforming lives, conviction of sin/repentance and grace/mercy to reform the area, creative ways for the churches to unify and see growth & revival, for growth internally & externally, the Word of God revered and taught, hunger & thirst for righteousness, ministries reach community, laborers for harvest, effective discipleship training, Bible teaching trains and equips people to do the work of the ministry, poor, orphans & widows helped, recovery groups that help addicted be free for good, testimonies shared, sufficient funds, outpouring of Holy Spirit, altars filled, people reconciling with God and others; enough volunteers, balanced time for ministers with family/ministry/alone with God; strengthen marriages & families, generous congregations. Add your own ideas. Lucerne Valley [pop. 5,998; in the southern Mojave Desert; 35 miles south of Barstow, 45 miles northwest of Yucca Valley on State Highway 247, 15 miles southeast of Apple Valley and approximately 20 miles north of Big Bear Lake on Highway 18. Churches: Calvary Bible Church [ICFA Intl.]; St Paul Catholic Church of Lucerne Valley [Pastor: Rev. Delwyn G. Haroldson, C.R.]; Lucerne Valley Community Church [Pastor Richard Wood; Church of Christ; Seventh Day Adventist Church of Lucerne Valley [Pastor Larry Christoffel]; Crossroads Chapel Lucerne [Church of God of Prophecy, Pastor W. Scott Creasy]; Saint Joseph Monastery [Vietnamese] Monday - May 29th Holiday, Pray for those who died in the military for our freedom. 7 Inspiring Memorial Day Prayers for Honor and Remembrance (christianity.com) Friday, May 26th - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries. Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & rehab ranch in Helendale [aka Silver Lakes] City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Churches by name; pastors if noted, to preach the gospel with boldness, for growth internally & externally, to teach the Word of God, hunger & thirst for righteousness, their ministries reach the community, laborers for the harvest, discipleship training effective, Bible teaching trains and equips people to do the work of the ministry, help the poor, orphans and widows, the rehab program would deliver people from addictions & help them stay free through the teaching & disciplining, empower people to share testimonies, sufficient funds to do the work, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, altars filled with people reconciling with God and others; enough volunteers, ministers balanced time with family/ministry/work; marriages grow strong, families strengthened, generous congregations. Add your own ideas. Silver Lakes [aka Helendale] [pop. 5,432; a subdivision of Helendale in Victor Valley of the Mojave Desert, located near Route 66, west of I-15, between Barstow and Victorville. The name Helendale is used by the USPS, while Silver Lakes is used by the US Census. Churches: Grace Bible church [Pastor Dave Zierenberg, Evangelical Free Church of America; Silver Lakes Community Church [Southern Baptist Convention, Pastor Mark Wood; Hellendale Community Church [non-denominational] Rehab Center: Victory Outreach San Bernardino - The Ranch in Helendale - to reach out to hurting people & prepare them as “Treasures Out of Darkness” for the work of the ministry through discipleship, leadership development, and academic training. Thursday, May 25th - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries. Podcast: Praying for revival in the churches & retreat center in Big Bear Lake City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Scripture: 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Churches by name; pastors if noted, to preach the gospel with boldness, for growth internally & externally, to teach the Word of God, hunger & thirst for righteousness, their ministries reach the community, laborers for the harvest, discipleship training effective, Bible teaching trains and equips people to do the work of the ministry, help the poor, orphans and widows, recovery programs that deliver people from addictions, empower people to share testimonies, sufficient funds to do the work, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, altars filled with people reconciling with God and others; enough volunteers, ministers balanced time with family/ministry/work; marriages grow strong, families strengthened, generous congregations. Add your own ideas. Big Bear Lake [pop. 5,102; located in San Bernardino mountains north of Highland; west of Lake Arrowhead, not Big Bear City, south side of Big Bear lake, east of Running Springs Churches & Retreat Center: Community Church Big Bear [Christian & Missionary Alliance, Pastor Mike Barnes]; Bear Valley Church [Pastor Mike Craig, Assoc. Chris Parker, no denomination ties]; Bridges Presbyterian Fellowship [Pastor Tom Rennard]; Believer's Chapel [for the needy, hurting & addicted]; Big Bear Church of Christ; Summit Christian Fellowship [Pastor Robert Grand, Assembly of God]; The Journey Church [Pastor Rob Hastings, independent Full Gospel]; Retreat Center - Christian conference center [can be used by any church affiliated group] No Podcast on May 24th Tuesday, May 23rd - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries Podcast: Praying for churches & camps in Needles & Wrightwood City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Scripture: Eph. 6:18 - Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders [if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches & ministries to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. For the camps to help lives be changed forever, enough staff, full camps, sufficient funds and memorable times. Needles [pop. 4,857; located near the west side of the Colorado River in the Mohave Valley of the Mojave Desert and near Arizona and Nevada almost 110 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. It is isolated from other cities in the county because of where it is located. Barstow, the nearest city within the county, is separated from Needles by over 140 miles of desert and 2 mountain ranges. Churches: Calvary Church of Needles - Pastor Craig A. Freitag; Church of Christ; Needles Seventh-day Adventist Church - James Uyeda, Pastor; Needles Christian Church; Faith Chapel Church of God Wrightwood [pop. 4,568 ; located A small mountain community located high in the San Gabriel Mountains, off of Interstate 15 take Highway 138 to Highway 2 (the Angeles Crest Highway) until you reach Wrightwood central. Churches: Community United Methodist – Pastor David Conrad; Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church - Fr. Joachim; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – town history began with Mormons Camps: Camp Wrightwood – any faith can use the facilities; Mount Kare Camp - enabling people to experience the truth of the Gospel and the loving kindness of Jesus in an environment where the still small voice of God can be heard; Camp Edward L Kopszywa - YMCA; Lions Camps at Teresita Pines - “to provide beautiful mountain facilities for group camping, emphasizing the needs of the disabled.”; AYF Camp Big Pines - established to provide an opportunity for Armenian youth living in the Diaspora to learn their history, reconnect with their heritage and foster life-long friendships; New Journey Camp & Retreat Center - Hawthorne Youth Camp - a Christian camp, and one of our goals is to provide a phenomenal camping experience for everyone. It is our aim to create a safe environment in which campers can experience God's love and respond to His call upon their lives. Monday, May 22nd - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministries Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Mountain View Acres, Lenwood & Running Springs City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Is. 57:15 - The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders [if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches & ministries to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Mountain View Acres [pop. 3,337; in the Victor Valley of the Mojave Desert with neighboring cities: northwest Adelanto; north is Victorville; east is Apple Valley and south is Hesperia] Christian Covenant Church [Pastors Thomas & Teresa Hyden] Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church [Fr. Michael Ibrahim] Lenwood [pop. 4,353; located in the Mojave Desert 3 miles west of Barstow, neighboring cities include Hinkley northwest; Dagget & Yermo east; Helendale & Apple Valley south] · St Philip Neri Catholic Church [Pastor: Rev. Remigius O. Owuamanam] · Landmark Missionary Baptist Church · Lenwood Community Church [non-denominational] Running Springs [pop. 3,998; located between Big Bear & Lake Arrowhead, next to Arrowbear & Green Valley Lake] Springs of Life Church [Pastor Andrew Field] Calvary Chapel Running Springs [Pastor Adam Rodman] Running Springs Assembly of God [Gerry Smarte, Pastor] Rim of the World church [Pastor Michael Wieszchowski] St. Anne in the Mountains Catholic Church & Retreat Center [Rev. Michal Osuch, C.R] Friday, May 19th - Praying for Communities in SBC that List Church[es] or Ministry Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Landers, San Antonio Heights & Morongo Valley City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Eph. 6:18 - Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders [if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches & ministries to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Landers [Pop. 2,699; located north of Joshua Tree & Yucca Valley, next to Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base] Landers Community Church [Calvary Chapel, Sr. Pastor Ruben Vasquez] Bread of Life Mission [Sr. Pastor John Batin, Assoc. Charles Myers & Pat Slaby] Calvary Christian Fellowship [Pastor Tye] San Antonio Heights [suburb in north Upland; pop. 3,111] San Antonio Heights Community Church [Pastor Jim Smith; Disc. Pastor Nick Greenwood] Nearest churches in Upland Morongo Valley [Pop. 3,159; located off Highway 62 south of Yucca Valley; 40 miles northwest of Palm Springs] Calvary Road Fellowship [Pastor Monte Wright] other churches nearby are in Desert Hot Springs Thursday, May 18th- Churches & ministries in Newberry Springs, Devore & Twin Peaks Podcast: Praying for churches & ministries in Newberry Springs, Devore & Twin Peaks City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders[if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. Pray for the camps to be filled, creative ways to market their centers. May churches use these places to see marriages restored, healed and empowered. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Newberry Springs [pop. 2,895, located on Route 66, to the east of Barstow & Dagget and south of Yermo, central in county] Newberry Springs Assembly of God Faith Baptist Church of Cherokee Road - Pastor David Brock Newberry Community Church – Pastor Ray Maese & Assoc. Owen Burch Devore [pop. 2,283; north of Interstate 15 & Interstate 215, about 12 miles NW of downtown San Bernardino] Community church of Devore [Marco Quintana – Pastor] Twin Peaks [pop. 2,747; located between Crestline & Blue Jay & Lake Arrowhead] Twin Peaks Community church [Pastor Mike Whisner; Assoc. Jonathan Trask] Calvary Chapel School | Church [Provides childcare] Pinecrest Christian Conference Center [Assembly of God] Wednesday, May 17 - Churches & ministries in Big River, Yermo & Edwards AFB Podcast: Praying for the churches & ministries in Big River, Yermo & Edwards AFB City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders[if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. Pray for the camps to be filled, creative ways to market their centers. May churches use these places to see marriages restored, healed and empowered. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Big River [pop. 1,115, southeastern corner of the county on Arizona border] Big River Baptist church [Southern Baptist] Yermo [pop. 1,191; east of Barstow on Interstate 15, south of the Calico Mountains] Silver Valley Baptist church [Pastor Cody Frazier] Yermo Bible Church [ICFA] Edwards Air Force Base [pop. 11,547 ; sits in 3 counties; eastern end is in San Bernardino County Oasis Christian Fellowship [Pastor Ron Slack] First Southern Baptist Church Edwards Air Force Base Church [Chapel on base] Assembly of God Church Tuesday, May 16 - Forest Falls, Trona/Searles Valley & Hinkley Podcast: Praying for the camp & churches in Forest Falls, Trona/Searles Valley & Hinkley City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Lift up the name of each church, city, ministry and leaders[if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. Pray for the camps to be filled, creative ways to market their centers. May churches use these places to see marriages restored, healed and empowered. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Forest Falls [pop. 920, north of Oak Glen, near Yucaipa & Mentone] Forest Falls Seventh-day Adventist Church Valley of the Falls Community Church [Evangelical Free church] FOREST HOME CHRISTIAN CAMPS Trona/Searles Valley [pop. 87 & 1,259; remote desert area north of Barstow, est. 25 miles northeast of Ridgecrest in Kern County] St. Madeline church [Roman Catholic] Christian Fellowship – hosts AA/Narc Anonymous meetings New Hope of Searles Valley [Foursquare] Trona Community Church [United Methodist] First Baptist Church - Larry Cox, Senior Pastor Hinkley [pop. 1,259; located northwest of Barstow, east of Mojave, north of Victorville] Hinkley Bible Church [Christian Non-denominational] Pastor Robert McDonnell Monday, May 15 - Praying for the churches/ministries in Green Valley Lake, Mt. Baldy & Baker Podcast: Lifting up Green Valley Lake, Mt. Baldy & Baker - the churches/ministries City/Church/Ministry/Prayer Points: Lift up the name of each church, ministry and leaders [if known] before the Lord. Ask for souls to be saved, discipled, evangelized, boldness and lives transformed by the Gospel and the word of God. Pray for hunger and thirst for righteousness in the workers. Pray for the camps to be filled, creative ways to market their centers. May churches use these places to see marriages restored, healed and empowered. For the leaders of the churches to find a balance between rest and ministry; intentional time with the Lord in prayer/Bible study; for vision, cooperation, collaboration & provision; blessings on their marriage & children. For the churches to grow internally and externally. Add what the Lord puts on your heart. Green Valley Lake Green Valley Lake church - Calvary Chapel - Pastor Steve Harrison Hume SoCal - Hume Christian Camps Camp Cedar Crest - retreat center used for any type of group. Camp Pondo - Christian camp Mt. Baldy Mt. Baldy Village Church – interdenominational; Pastor Ron & Gay Thomas Baker Baker Bible Church – Independent Fundamental Churches of America Iglesia Bautista Fundamental De Baker – Pastor Ruben Salazar Our Lady of the Desert Mission [Catholic Church] - Rev. Remigius O. Owuamanam, S.M.M.M. Friday, May 12 - Praying for SBC Churches/Ministries to Experience Growth & Revival Podcast: Lifting up your church & others in your community to see growth & revival Prayer Points/Verses: A revival that only God can get the glory; not manmade; with a hunger & thirst for the things of the Lord increased; [Hab. 3:2] A fresh outpouring of the Spirit of Holiness upon the church that results in people making things right with the Lord and with people. Ps. 110:3 A reverence and fear of God that would keep believers from intentional sin. 2 Cor. 7:1 A fresh outpouring of His Spirit of knowledge, wisdom and understanding that increases growth and how to manage it. Is. 11:2 A boldness to always proclaim the gospel in all circumstances. Acts 4:29 For conviction & revelation of God’s love on the lost resulting in a massive harvest of souls. Acts 2:37 For an awakening to those attending but not participating, resulting in more surrendered lives to be active in worship & the work of the ministry. Josh. 24:15 Thursday, May 11 - Praying for Specific Communities in SBC without a church – Day 4 Podcast: Praying for a harvest of souls in: Lytle Creek, Blue Jay & Oro Grande Prayer Points/Verses: Ps. 105:1; Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 3:15 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Ps. 105:1 for hearts to be open to the Gospel, people saved, discipled and grow. for intercessors to go to these towns and pray on site for churches in the large cities to be compelled to go to these areas for love & compassion for the people in these communities for believers in these areas to do prayer walks in their neighborhood for the Lord to put it on the heart of some to commit to pray UNTIL a work begins Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Rom. 10:17 for laborers to be led by the Holy Spirit to evangelize these towns for an outreach or community event that would meet a need for home Bible studies to begin for a revival, awakening & reformation in these towns for Jesus to be magnified, honored & revealed as Lord But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Pet. 3:15 Wednesday, May 10th - Praying for Specific Communities in SBC without a church – Day 3 Podcast: Praying for ministries to spring up in Arrowbear, Cedar Glen & Rimforest Prayer Points/Verses: Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:16; Matt. 28:19-20 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 for intercessors to go to these towns and pray on site for the Lord to put it on the heart of some to commit to pray UNTIL a work begins for laborers to be led by the Holy Spirit to evangelize these towns for people who live in these communities to pray for a local ministry for love & compassion for the people in these communities for hearts to be open to the Gospel, people saved, discipled and grow. \ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Rom. 1:16 for believers in these areas to do prayer walks in their neighborhood for an outreach or community event that would meet a need for those to find leaders or businesses to come alongside and help for house churches to spring up for home Bible studies to begin for Jesus to be magnified, honored & revealed as Lord Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matt. 28:19-20 Tuesday, May 9th - Praying for Specific Communities in SBC without a church – Day 2 Podcast: Asking for nearby believers to minister to Fawnskin, Daggett & Oak Glen towns Prayer Points/Verses: Acts 13:47; Mark 16:15; Matt. 5:15-16 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:47 for intercessors to go to these towns and pray on site for the Lord to put it on the heart of some to commit to pray UNTIL a work begins for laborers to be led by the Holy Spirit to evangelize these towns for people who live in these communities to pray for a local ministry for house churches to spring up for love & compassion for the people in these communities He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 for believers in these areas to do prayer walks in their neighborhood for an outreach or community event that would meet a need for those to find leaders or businesses to come alongside and help for hearts to be open to the Gospel, people saved, discipled and grow. for home Bible studies to begin Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:15-16 Monday, May 8th - Praying for Specific Communities in SBC without a church – Day 1 Nipton [pop. 158, near AZ & NV borders, closest church in Baker, CA 50 mi. away]; Pioneer Town [pop. 365, closest church 4 miles away in Yucca Valley]; Angelus Oaks [Mountain community hosts camps, pop. 385, nearest church in Forest Falls 7 miles away]; Havasu Lake [across for Lake Havasu City in AZ, pop. 438, nearest church in Big River 22 miles away]. Podcast: Asking the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into towns without a church in SBC Prayer Points/Verses: Matt. 25:35; Jer. 29:7; Matt. 10:40; Matt. 9:38 • for intercessors to go to these towns and pray on site • for the Lord to put it on the heart of some to commit to pray UNTIL a work begins • for laborers to be led by the Holy Spirit to evangelize these towns • for people who live in these communities to pray for a local ministry • for house churches to spring up • for love for the people in these communities • for believers in these areas to do prayer walks in their neighborhood • for an outreach or community event that would meet a need • for those to find leaders or businesses to come alongside and help • for hearts to be open to the Gospel, people saved, discipled and grow • for home Bible studies to begin Friday, May 5th - Reaching People in our Communities thru Prayer who interlap Our Churches Podcast: Praying we get a mindset to intercede for people we encounter in our community Prayer Points/Verses: Jerusalem [those closest to us] For neighbors/neighborhood; pray for each house, trailer, farm, and business that you pass. Pray for families who live around you. Ask the Lord for opportunities to talk to them and help them out in some way. For schools as you drive by them. Intercede for Christian administrators, teachers, and students. Ask God to use them as light in the public school system. Pray for the children you encounter. Whisper a prayer for every child you see. We might be the only person who prays for that child today. Or ever. Judea [those in our community] Pray for people who attend other places of worship in the community. When we drive, watch for places where people who follow other world faiths worship. Ask God to open their eyes to the truth of the gospel and to give them courage to step out for Christ. For those using & distributing at food banks as you pass by them. Bless those who volunteer to give, who donate the food, who distribute to love those who need it with dignity and respect. For shoppers/customers where you purchase items or services. To come to know Jesus or grow in their walk with the Lord or be set free from strongholds. Pray for people you regularly see. Include: gas station clerk, bank teller, and anyone else whose path you cross with regularity. See every one of them as people who cannot be saved apart from a personal relationship with Jesus. Samaria [those we may or may not like] For community needs found through local news sources Every time you hear a siren. For the victim & their family, the emergency responders, safety for the carriers and the medical staff awaiting them Pray for your healthcare providers. For divine wisdom, balance of work and rest, guided by integrity not money, follow the Hippocratic oath that says above all I must not play God. Pray for government officials. Pray for them by name. Use our web site to look up the links to a list of government officials over your community. Pray they serve with integrity, allow your church to grow without pushback, support the freedom of religion and hold to high standards. Thursday, May 4th - National Day of Prayer Podcast: Asking for the people in our church to pray for our Nation, State, County & Community Prayer Points/Verses Using the source: The National Day of Prayer - Prayer Guide (mail-globalchristianrelief.org) Father, pour out Your spirit and bring revival Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? –Psalm 85:6 Give our leaders knowledge and wisdom The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. –Proverbs1:7 Move our hearts to earnestly love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. –John 13:35 Help us intercede for those lacking religious liberty. Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the fesh. Rather, serve one another in love. –Galatians 5:13 God, please turn our nation to repentance. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts … –James 4:8 Empower us to fulfll the Great Commission. … how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him … unless someone tells them? –Romans10:1 Wednesday, May 3 - Praying SBC Churches/Ministries can Reach our communities – Part 3 Podcast: Praying we become outward focused by working with fellow believers Prayer points/verses Respect & Collaborate – 1 Pet. 2:17 Maintain appropriate boundaries, and respect all with whom we engage. Collaborate with others who are passionate about something we are as well [ex. Exercise, gardening, feeding homeless, etc.] Turn existing ministries outward – 1 Cor. 3:7-9 Challenge church groups with an inside focus to find a way to become involved with the community outside the church; [Examples: A choir might sing at a nursing home, or trustees could sponsor a neighborhood clean-up] Recruit & advertise beyond the church for help in events Build relationships with those taking part in existing programs that serve the community, such as ESL classes, food pantry or clothes bank users, daycare families, etc. Reach out through community events – Acts 1:8 Plan “bridge events” designed explicitly to draw people from the community by providing for them something they need or enjoy Encourage church members to invite their friends and neighbors Attend community events with intention to get to know others Tuesday, May 2 - Praying SBC Churches/Ministries can Reach our Communities – Part 2 Podcast: Praying we get out, get to know, listen, learn & build relationships with our community Prayer points/verses: Get out & Get to know - We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Get out in our neighborhood. Walk the streets. Map the area, and record our observations. Note how the community is changing. Assess community needs and assets. What are the needs of our context? Who are our neighbors, and how can you serve them?; Be attuned to where God is already at work in our community. Listen and learn - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 Know that ministries that truly bless a community often arise out of conversations where we listen for the hopes and dreams of people in our community; Interview residents of the community. Sit in a park, diner, or coffee house. Ask simply, “What are our challenges, hopes, longings and dreams?”; Get to know the major public officials. They are people with tremendous influence. They need to know of our church’s commitment to the community; Involve many people from our church in this work. Hold one another accountable to the tasks of engaging and learning from others; Discern clusters of issues and concerns that arise from these conversations. Ask what issues, suffering, injustices, or brokenness might you address. Build authentic relationships - Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 Strive for meaningful engagement with others, not superficial gestures; Make sure we are reaching out to people for the right reasons. If our motive is simply to get them to come to church, people will see right through to it. That it would be done because of compassion, love and we have news that gives life. Monday, May 1 - Praying SBC Churches/Ministries can Reach our Communities – Part 1 Podcast: Praying we reach our communities combining the Great Commandment with the Great Commission Prayer points/verses: Matt. 28:19-20; 22:37-39; Gal. 5:14 Expand our vision; regard our community as an extension of our congregation; looking at our neighborhoods, workplaces as a mission field. To understand church attendance is no longer a cultural expectation; what’s happening within the church — preaching, worship, music, Bible study — is no longer enough to attract people That we don’t sit in our church building waiting for people to come; ask God for ways to meet people where they are and invite them Reveal the connections between the Great Commandment in Matthew 22 (love our neighbor as ourself) and the Great Commission in Matthew 28 (go and make disciples). That our Evangelistic outreach expresses our love of others. Do what Jesus did – who primarily engaged people through everyday encounters, rather than in the Temple or synagogues. He fed people, met our everyday needs, and enjoyed the fellowship of others. Express love and compassion for our community in big and small ways; acts of kindness, smile, say hello, ask if you can pray for them, offer to help someone struggling Make it a common practice to pray for our neighbors and lift up community concerns. Ask for a willingness to share our faith and reach out to others with boldness [Acts 4:29] Seek creative ways to reach the community; ask our Creator for innovative ideas Get to know the community surrounding our church via demographic data while remembering statistics don’t reveal the whole story Friday, Apr. 28th - Using Paul’s Ephesians letter to Pray for SBC Churches/Ministries Podcast: Praying for our church/others to have Spiritual Growth & Wisdom Prayer points/verses: Eph. 1:17-23 & 3:14-21 Strong faith in the Lord & love for God’s people [v1:15] Spiritual wisdom/insight [v1:17] Grow in knowledge of God [v1:17] Flooded with light & confident hope [v1:18] Understand God’s power for us; the same that raised Jesus from the dead & seated Christ next to God in heaven [v1:19-20] Greater understanding of the authority of Jesus; above any ruler, power, leader or anything else; now & forever & how it benefits the church [v1:22] Empowered with inner strength through the Holy Spirit. [3:16] Our roots would grow down into God’s love making us strong [3:17] Divine ability to understand how wide, long, high & deep is God’s love for us [3:18] Experience the love of Christ with all fullness of life & power from God [3:19] Recognize & give glory to God who’s able by his mighty power to work in us more than we could ever ask or think. Glory to Him in the church forever [3:20-21] Thursday, Apr. 27th - Using the Prayer of Jesus to Pray for SBC Churches/Ministries Podcast: Praying that we have a revelation of Father God’s love that causes us to be united Prayer points/verses: John 17 Many will come to know the only true God & Jesus Christ [v3 & 1 Tim. 2:4] People will have a revelation of who God the Father is [v 6; Is. 64:8] Protection from the divisive tactics of the enemy [v11; 1 Cor. 1:10] Believers would be filled with joy that would overflow for the world to see [v13; Ps. 16:11] Kept safe from the evil one [v15; 2 Tim. 4:18] Make us holy by your truth [v17; 1 Pet. 1:16] We would be one as God, Jesus & Holy Spirit are one. [v21; Ps. 133:1] Experience perfect unity so the world will know Jesus & God’s love [v23; 1 Pet. 3:8] Revelation of God’s love for us and able to share that with others [v26; 1 Jn. 4:7] Wednesday, Apr. 26th - Basing our Prayers for SBC Churches/Ministries from King David Podcast: Praying we seek the Lord for directions & find a rock of escape in troubled times Background: In 1 Samuel 23:2-29 Prayer points/verses: When the enemy tries to steal what we need to survive, seek God’s will [Phil. 4:19] For laborers for the harvest, keep our focus as a church on rescuing people [Matt. 9:35-38] Recognize we are not in a battle against flesh/blood but spiritual darkness [Eph. 6;12] People might betray us as they did Jesus; pray church members will forgive & seek the Lord what to do next [Eph. 4:32] Our focus is to love unconditionally as God to us [Jn. 15:12] If we keep seeking the Lord in every hardship, eventually the enemy will stop [James 4:7] When tempted, seek the Lord for a way of escape [1 Cor. 10:13] Tuesday, Apr. 25th - Prayer Guidelines from King Jehoshaphatfor SBC Churches/Ministries Podcast: Praying God turns what looks like a Valley of Devastation to a Valley of Blessing Background: Three armies with large numbers of soldiers declared war on Judah & Jerusalem and they were already nearby. There was little time to prepare for this battle. King Jehoshaphat was terrified of the news. He begged God for guidance. Ordered the people to fast. They came to Jerusalem. He stood before the community & prayed. They heard instructions & encouragement from God through Jahaziel [a Levite]. Responded with praise & worship. Next day King sent singers in front of army singing “Give thanks to the Lord – his faithful love endures forever.” At the moment they began to sing, the Lord caused their enemies to kill each other; none escaped. The King & his men gathered plunder. Spent time praising the Lord in the Valley of Blessing. Key verses: Prayer 2 Chron. 20:6-12; God’s response 2 Chron. 20:15-17; Jehoshaphat’s call to the people [ Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” Points: seek the Lord when trials come - alone & with others; fast if life threatening; wait for instructions, begin prayer with worship of who God is, what He has done and what He promised, address the issue to God after presenting your case; then ask for His help and guidance; be humble like Jehoshaphat, [We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help]; after hearing from the Lord, spend time in worship thanking Him; follow His instructions; praise Him for the results, which often are above & beyond what we expected. Monday, Apr. 24th - Gleaning from Nehemiah to Pray for SBC Churches/Ministries Podcast: Praying people in churches will turn to the God of Heaven for direction, protection & motivation to stay the course until completion Background of Nehemiah: Exiles returned to find Jerusalem’s walls in shambles; gates destroyed by fire and few resources to rebuild it. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the Persian king who granted him supplies to do the mission of rebuilding the wall/gates. Experienced opposition from neighboring rulers. Learn from Nehemiah: to pray in a group when there is a situation; by himself when you don’t know what to do; at work when a crisis arises or you need wisdom; know God and His power, speak to God of what He has done for your church & for others & for His people, He wants His name honored; pray before you do a new project, while you are doing the project and after the project is done give God praise for it and for its future success; for our real enemy – the devil – that he would not succeed in killing, destroying or stealing the work of God in our churches, ask for God’s help when there are people involved, knowing our battle is not against flesh/blood but against spiritual darkness, pray about everything small or big; start the day in prayer, thank God for what He has done; ask God for forgiveness for anything that needs to be addressed; like the Lord’s prayer ask for strength and wisdom for the day [your daily bread]; have faith and contend for God’s ability to turn things around or bring success in what He leaded the church to do; be ready to be the answer to your request if God leads Prayer points from Nehemiah’s prayers 1:5-10: 9:5-38: praise You because you are a great & awesome God, keep your promises; acknowledge our sins & family member in church; not obeying; remind you of what you promised Lord, help church to look for the promises and conditions of God and bring them up in prayer, you want your name honored, God lives forever, are the Creator, performed amazing things for our church and others, you speak to your people, seek your instructions for our church, forgiveness for pride & stubbornness in any area, remind you God you are forgiving, gracious, merciful, slow to become angry and rich in unfailing love, despite the sins of Israel he didn’t abandon, but provided for their needs, overcame their enemies, in their time of trouble they cried to You O Lord and you heard their prayer. You rescue time and again when we come to you, listen & obey. Friday, Apr. 21st - Gleaning from Joel & Hosea to Pray for SBC Churches/Ministries Podcast: For a revelation of God’s compassion resulting in a church fully committed Background of Joel: Israel was invaded by Tyre, Sidon, and Philisti AND they experienced devastation from locusts that destroyed agriculture and livestock, which caused a drought, fires and famine; locusts were seen as God’s judgment for their sins; fear gripped the people over losses and enemies approaching Learn from Joel: God calls us to obedience; like a parent, consequences from disobedience; call to repent because the day of the Lord is near; need to be ready for the return of Christ, once we repent of our sins, God will pour out His spirit on us; restore us and reap the rewards. Prayer points from Joel 2:12-14: turn to the Lord now; give God our hearts, fast, weep & mourn over sin; ask God to rend our hearts (show us anything that is offensive to Him), acknowledge His Lordship, surrender control of our lives, remember God is merciful, compassionate, slow to get angry; filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. For the sins of our church, repent, for the sins of our city, repent, for the sins of our county, repent, for the sins of our state repent, for a reprieve from the consequences that could come. Background of Hosea: God told him to marry a prostitute & have children to demonstrate how Israel had been acting; gave his children names that sent messages of judgment. Much idolatry, injustice, turning away from God to other gods Learn from Hosea: Cycles: people more interested in themselves than God’s direction turn to sin then judgment for sin then bring people back to God, dangers of religious ceremony with no genuine devotion nor commitment to the Lord; compromise standards, selfish ambition leads to ruin, lack of integrity in activities affects others; flows into society breeding dishonesty, corruption, danger of God’s judgment. With sincere repentance, asking for God’s mercy & renewing our commitment to the Lord, can find forgiveness, restoration, God’s favor & blessings. Prayer points from Hosea 6:1-3: return to the Lord, recognize what areas of our lives is more about what we want than what God desires, confess it and turn from it; where consequences occurred because of our sin know God will heal & bandage our wounds & restore us, what a loving God, seek to live in His presence daily, make it our aim to know Him more throughout each day, cling to His promise that the Lord responds to this kind of search with refreshing and restoration. Thursday, Apr. 19th - Prayerful Look at the Letter to the Church in Laodicea Podcast: Praying SBC Churches/Ministries become hot for God, purified by fire Prayer Points from letter to Church of Laodicea [Rev. 3:14-22] Background: Paul talked about it (Col 2:1; 4:16); Wealthiest of all 7 church cities; Bank industry made them rich; proud of cloth/dyeing material/wool manufacturing; had medical school made eye ointment; had water supply problem, aqueduct build brought water from hot springs to city; tepid upon arrival; believers didn’t stand for anything, self-sufficient, had material possessions, felt confident, satisfied & complacent Complaints: Not hot or cold, lukewarm; Rich but poor; Don’t need anything but naked; Have everything they want but miserable & wretched; can’t see anything wrong but blind to apathy Instructions: Buy gold purified by fire, for God’s refining fire, for a baptism of fire to take the temperature from lukewarm to hot; to be hot for the things of God; see wealth as a tool to share with others & further the gospel; buy white garments from self-sufficiency to need for God’s cleansing; from clothed in the finest to standing naked before the Lord to examine any area that needs to change; buy ointment for eyes from blind to see as God sees; The Lord corrects & disciplines everyone He loves; be diligent and turn from your indifference; the Lord is knocking & asking to come in, hear His voice, open door, He’ll come in and eat together Scriptures: Matthew 13:22; Is. 1:18; Luke 3:16; Ps. 139:23-24; Heb. 12:6 Prayer points: Temperature of love for the Lord would get hot; expect and learn under pressure than seeking comfort & ease; regularly repent of things that make us look dirty; accept the washing of the Lord; if there is something not understood, ask for God’s eyes on it; when hard consequences happen as a result of sin, that’s God’s love to keep us from worse; look for any indifference to the things of God Wednesday, Apr. 18th - Prayerful Look at the Letter to the Church in Philadelphia Podcast: Praying SBC Churches/Ministries that we live like Jesus is coming soon Background/Facing: Wealthy due to commerce & trade; gateway to Asia minor; little Athens; Founded by citizens of Pergamum; Kept barbarians out; brought in Greek culture/language; Destroyed in AD 17 by earthquake; aftershocks kept people living outside city Warnings – Opened a door but GOD will keep it open; Opposition but God will make bow down; Great testing but God will protect Did well: Persevered despite little strength; Obeyed God’s word; Didn’t deny the Lord Consequences: We are in a time of testing of: enduring until completion James 1:2-4; trusting & having faith 1 Pet. 1:7; obeying & character building Deut. 8:2-3; reverence for God will help us not sin Ex. 20:20· Prayer Points: We will look to God’s who can make a way where there seems to be no way; we look for open doors when other doors shut; accept closed doors & seek which door to go through; whatever causes concern, look for the BUT GOD truths; times of testing have great purpose & develop enduring traits; that we persevere not give up, know that God will protect us and strengthen us; God sees everything we do – little or no strength, obey His word, not deny Him, Apr. 19th - Prayerful Look at the Letter to the Church in Philadelphia Tuesday, Apr. 18th - Prayerful Look at Letters to 7 Churches in Revelations: Sardis Podcast: Praying SBC Churches/Ministries to Wake Up Prayer Points/Verses: Church of Sardis [Rev. 3:1-6] Background/Facing: Wealthy city; 2 locations mountain & valley; earthquake destroyed AD 17; rebuilt never recovered; Many ancient ruins as a result; what appeared to be great came down; experienced earthquake that caused it to go from a large city to a small town; now inhabited by cattlemen and shepherds but once was the wealthiest city in the region; How far it has fallen! Why? Complaints/Confess: –asleep, dead; Like the cursed fig tree; Reputation alive but dead; Like Artificial flowers; look real/alive; need no water/food; No tears for lost; real spiritual life with worldly practices; no hunger for God’s word; excuses not to go to church; lip service versus heartfelt worship. Instructions/Actions: Wake up! Out of slumber [Eph. 5:14]; Strengthen what “little” remains (almost dead) [Matt 17:20]; Actions not meeting God’s requirements (faith without works is dead) James 1:22-25; Go back to what you heard/believed at first (hold to it firmly) Rom. 2:29; Repent and turn to Jesus AGAIN [Matt. 4:17] Consequences/Conviction: Come suddenly like a thief, erase names from book of life; Victorious not soiled with evil will WALK with Jesus in white (clean) Prayer Points: Walk in the spiritual gift God has called you [more motivated]; Keep an eye on anything that becomes fruitless; Remember what the Father and Jesus did at the cross for you; Daily repent and turn to JESUS again and again and again; Identify anything that is artificial not sincere or genuine; Ask God to reveal any “dead” areas in your life. Monday, Apr. 17th - Prayerful Look at 7 Churches in Revelations: Pergamum & Thyatira Podcast: Praying SBC Churches/Ministries return to Their First Love for Christ Prayer Points/Verses: Church of Pergamum [Rev. 2:12-17] What they faced: 4 cults & emperor worship [pressure to conform]; Antipas [possible church leader, taught against cults, martyred horribly – fear of martyrdom]; Balaam like & Nicolaitan teachings [carry out lustful desires – compromise to sexual sin & eat food to idols]; Being led astray from God by compromised teachings Complaints: Don’t allow idol worship [Deut. 5:7-10]; Don’t participate in sexual sin [1 Cor. 6:18-20] Instructions: Repent; do not tolerate, do not conform, do not allow these teachings Consequences: Come to you suddenly; with sword of mouth, Victorious, given hidden manna & new name on white stone and only recipient will know what it means Prayer points: Worship only God not man, Be careful no man is idolized, None like Him our Creator; Turn to God for our healing, Not trust in drugs, Ultimate healer – Jehovah Rapha; Turn to God during storms - Not the weather station, He’s our anchor & redeemer; Trust God for joy & provision - Not entertainment nor stuff, He’s our source of life, manna; Trust God for protection - Not our strength, He’s our Shepherd Church of Thyatira [Rev. 3:1-6] Did well: their love/service for God; their faith/endurance; Constantly improving in these areas; manifested love and faith, concern and care for others Complaints – Jezebel teaching compromise [1 Jn. 2:15]; Prophetess Jezebel [not real name; just acted like her; sexual sin & food offered to idols); to work with unions, entire work of city, made up of pagans, meetings devoted to worship of erotic idols, debauchery & to make a living had to join; her teaching “business is business”; Would they compromise under the pressure to conform? Instructions: Repent from compromising, conforming to pressure to Jezebel demanding compliance; work for God not man; test her teachings against God’s word Consequences: suffering will follow if continued conforming & other churches will know (Heb. 4:12). If you don’t follow her, you will have authority over nations like Jesus and given light in the darkness Prayer points: Jesus Sees & Judges [fiery eyes, bronze feet]; Compromise or Committed? Either have consequences; Filter for false teachings [it’s okay to …] ; Stay under His authority & you’ll have authority to smash evil; Pressure builds patience > endurance > finish the race! No matter how dark; He is our Morning Star Friday, Apr. 14th - A Prayerful Look at the 7 Churches in Revelations [Smyrna & Ephesus] Podcast: Praying SBC Churches/Ministries return to Their First Love for Christ Prayer Points/Verses: Church of Ephesus [Rev. 2:1-7] • Did well: worked hard; patiently endured; didn’t tolerate evil people; examined claims of those who say they are apostles but are not; patiently suffered for Christ without quitting; hated the evil deeds of Nicolaitans [dabbled in occult, ate food sacrificed to idols, committed sex outside of marriage] • Complaints: Don’t love God; Don’t love each other; Not the same as at beginning of relationship; Fallen far; Good efforts no longer sprang from love • How to change: Turn back to God; Do the works you did at first; Loving God/others fulfills the law [Matt 22:36-40]; Love should be the springboard from which we do all things for God and for others • Consequences: Don’t repent, lampstand removed; If victorious in fruit from tree of life in God’s paradise Church of Smyrna [Rev. 2:8-11] • Did well: suffered from persecution, experienced poverty but are rich in God’s eyes, faced opposition from Jews against Christianity and non-Jews who expected loyal worship to Roman ways • What’s ahead: devil will throw them in prison; suffer for 10 days, possibly die; to test their faith • Instructions: not to be afraid of coming suffering, remain faithful, trust in God • Consequences: If faithful won’t be harmed by second death, receive crown of life • Reminders: Ultimate victor is Jesus; Ultimate test is suffering thru - Pressure & poverty, Prison & persecution; Ultimate enemy is Satan; Ultimate solution is trust to Be fearless & faithful; Ultimate reward is life – the Crown of life/Eternal life Thursday, Apr. 13th - If My People .. Humble .. Pray .. Seek .. Turn .. Heal .. Part II Podcast: Continuing to pray our church follows 2 Chronicles 7:14 & others in our county Repentance Prayer Points/Verses: Not pressing through when we don’t see results right away, not asking You Lord what else is needed or lacking. Jn. 4:24; Matt. 6:33 Not praying for more laborers for the harvest and expecting people to get saved without any effort on our part. Luke 10:2 Not giving of our time to volunteer in areas that our skills, experiences, passions, spiritual gifts could be used due to laziness, fear, filling our time with things that do not give life, cares of this life. Heb. 13:16 Not concerned, praying for and/or supporting other ministries other than our own. 1 Tim. 2:1 Not seeing the body of Christ as one, being divisive by thinking our ways are better. 1 Cor. 1:10 Not seeking God’s approval more than people, as a result we shy away from telling the truth. Gal. 1:10 Not fearing God more than our body, as a result we hold back afraid of persecution and suffering. Matt. 10:28 Not being bold and courageous in sharing our faith, too afraid of rejection, not knowing what to say or some other excuse. Acts 4:29 & 31 Not loving the Lord and heavenly things more than our love for sports, entertainment, music, art, possessions and food. 1 Jn. 2:16 Wednesday, Apr. 12th - If My People .. Humble .. Pray .. Seek .. Turn .. Heal .. Restore Podcast: Praying we follow 2 Chronicles 7:14 for our church, our community & county Repentance Prayer Points/Verses: Not coming to the Lord humbly, forgetting who it is we are praying to. For more reverence when we pray, more acknowledgement of who God is, praise & worship before we babble on and on. Eccl. 5:1-2 Not treating the sanctuary as holy, being on our cell phones, not giving respect to the place and the person behind the reason for the building. 1 Chron. 29:16 Not looking at the plank in our eyes but instead the splinter in others, being critical and judgmental, not merciful. Matt. 7:1-3 Not obeying the great commission but putting the responsibility on the leaders in the church to save the lost and disciple them. Matt. 28:19 Not praying for the church, the service, the leaders, the elders, the laypeople, then complaining when we don’t get something from the service. 1 Tim. 2:8 Not participating in the worship because we don’t like the music, the song, the style or think we have a bad singing voice, when all we need is to make a joyful noise to the Lord and be faithful to pray for the worship team. Ps. 100:4 Not giving of our finances cheerfully, rolling our eyes when someone talks about tithing when you say to support those who minister. Mal. 3:8-10 Tuesday, Apr. 11th - Catching our Second Wind as Week Progresses in Churches Podcast: Praying people catch the zeal of the Lord Prayer Points/Verses: For zeal from the Lord to manifest in great energy, enthusiasm, passion, fervor, fire, devotion, eagerness for the things of the Lord - Romans 12:11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord Leaders and laypeople would have fresh vision to do each of their ministries like Elijah - 1 Kings 19:9-10 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. Church would be a team, all hands-on deck, everyone doing their part to minister at the church and to the people in their world of influence – Heb. 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Those called to be teachers grow in zeal, hunger then study and share God’s Word – 2 Tim. 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. People would discover their spiritual gifts and use them to edify the church and to minister to the lost – 1 Cor. 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. People would feel free to confess their sins helping them to grow in being distinct from the world in love and holiness, so they can share this good news with others 1 Jn. 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Members would share the gospel this week—and see more lives changed! Matt. 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Giving would be faithful, as well as joyful, consistent, and sacrificial. 2 Cor. 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Members would encourage each other with praises of God’s greatness and less on the woes of this world, knowing God is greater than all of darkness – Is. 42:13 The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. All would experience the presence of God, a move of the Holy Spirit, that times of refreshing would come. Acts 3:19-20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Monday, Apr. 10th - Day after Easter week – how can we pray for Churches? Podcast: Committing to pray for our church, leaders & lay people; refueled after Easter week Prayer Points/Verses: Refuel all those who gave ministered this past Easter week in any way; filled afresh with the Holy Spirit, fresh anointing, empowered to serve again, soul restored & strength renewed. Ps. 23:2-3 That we would have unity amid diversity—loving those with whom we have nothing in common but the gospel. Ps. 133 That a culture of discipling would form in which making disciples is viewed as an ordinary part of the Christian life. Matt. 28:19 That faithful elders would use Scripture to train members to do the work of ministry. Eph. 4:12 That a hunger for studying the gospel would form among members so that they can guide and guard one another in it. Matt. 5:6 That transparent, meaningful relationships would become normal and remaining anonymous strange. 2 Chron. 19:9 The preaching of God’s Word—that it would be biblically careful and Holy Spirit imbued. 2 Tim. 4:2 That elders would remain above reproach, kept from temptation, complacency, idols, and worldliness. 1 Tim. 3:2 That the church’s songs would teach members to biblically confess, lament, and praise. Ps. 32: 5, 11 That the church’s prayers would be infused with biblical ambitions, honesty, and humility. 1 Pet. 5:6-7 Friday, Apr. 7th [Good Friday] - Praying for Church Services this Easter Weekend Part II Podcast: Praying people attending Good Friday service will never be the same Prayer Points/Verses: The presence of the Holy Spirit will be evident in the service, causing people to turn to the Lord in repentance and experience the life transforming power of the Spirit. (Acts 4:31) The word of God would be alive/powerful sharper than any two-edged sword exposing in each person what’s in their hearts and the truth would set them free. Heb. 4:12 The people of God will yield to the Spirit and follow in His leading and guidance from the word; people would not be pew sitters but empowered disciples (1 Corinthians 2:4-5) God will give people His utterance and then fill him or her with boldness to declare the word beyond the church walls. (Ephesians 6:19-20) Every sick and oppressed person that comes to service will be healed, freed and delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word. (Luke 4:18) The worship team will yield to the Spirit as they lead the people in worship and choristers will minister in the power of the Spirit in songs. The sound systems will work properly, that none will malfunction during the service. That everything and every aspect of the service will be orderly. 1 Corinthians 14:40 The ushers will not be a distractor but helper to the overall service; the greeters and those directing visitors/members, will be able to help everyone feel welcome. Matt. 5:46-48 At the end of the service, God would be glorified, and people would testify what the Lord did in their lives and the lives of others. Ps. 115:1 Thursday, Apr. 6th - Ways to Pray for the Church Service Part I Podcast: Praying for the church service[s] during Easter week Prayer Points/Verses: Pray that members will believe the enemy cannot destroy the body of Christ no matter what he tries to do. Matthew 16:18 Thank the Lord that Satan can never prevail against us and against me; we are the church; we are the body and members of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 Pray and declare the ground and worship center where you meet are sanctified by the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of Holiness. Numbers 7:12. Pray over the atmosphere, declaring that Jesus is Lord; that people will sense the presence of the Lord from their first step on the grounds (Philippians 2:10-11) Pray and ask the Lord to breathe afresh upon every worshipper, the chairs, and the ground. Job 33:4 Consecrate the sanctuary, the chairs where people will sit, the altar and upon every physical object that the worshippers will touch. Ex. 29:37 Pray that God will order peoples’ steps to the service, bringing people from the community, drawing them in to the service. (Isaiah 43:6) Pray and bind blinding (evil) spirits that keep worshippers from receiving God’s word in their spirits and from being fruitful. (Matthew 13:15) Pray that every unsaved person that comes to service will surrender to the Lord, call on His name and become born again, saved in Jesus name. (Acts 2:21) Pray that the people’s heart will be opened to receive the word, that the word of God will have free course and unhindered in their hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) Wednesday, Apr. 5th - More to Pray for Your Church Podcast: Ten More Things to Pray for your Church/Community Prayers Points/Verse: Pray for cooperation in the community among theologically like-minded churches. As barriers – denominational, racial, ethnic, class – come down so the Church in unity can accomplish more than any church can do on its own. Phil. 1:18 Pray for the children of the church; those who teach and care for them will do so with love and patience so that parents are free to serve and worship as the Lord leads; that as those children grow up in church, they will grow strong in faith, coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord early in their life; and as they become the adults and parents of the next generation. Mark 10:14 Pray for a vision for missions; people will endeavor to be a part of the going, sending, and supporting of missionaries. Matt. 28:19-20 Pray for the business of the church; for those entrusted with the oversight of such matters, that they will be faithful to fulfill all business matters in a timely way. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Pray for small group leaders, Sunday School leaders, Life Group leaders; faithful men and women entrusted with the task of helping other believers grow into a full measure of maturity; that they will be strong in their own faith, and sensitive and discerning when leading others. James 5:16 Pray for special ministries of the church; unique to each congregation; for the resources needed to do the work and the vision from the Lord who, what, when & where to minister. Eccl. 3:1 Pray for church leadership, always sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit; needs met whether they work outside the church or get their finances from tithers. Heb. 13:17 Pray for the physical buildings and grounds to be properly maintained and cared for & for those supervising the property; minimal updates, budgets in place, sufficient funds to upkeep, mortgages paid off early, creative ways to use building to pay expenses. 1 Cor. 4:2 Pray for a spirit of understanding among the leaders, members, visitors and outsiders; people will get along, apologize and forgive quickly, quick to listen and learn. Phil. 2:1-4 Pray that visitors to the church will have a positive first experience, from the parking lot to the invitation, and come back for more; that the Lord will grow His church by bringing to it the people that He wants to serve in that location – people of all ages, races, and classes. We are all one in Christ. Acts 2:47 Tuesday, Apr. 4th - Praying for your Church & Community Podcast: Ten things to Pray for Your Church & Beyond Prayers Points/Verse: your church will have a positive testimony in the community; be known for compassion, love, and grace, instead of protests, criticism, and hypocrisy. John 3:21; 1 John 4:7, 19 each Sunday the Lord will lead the right seekers to your church; that they will be ministered to effectively and loved abundantly. Acts 2:41; 16:14 the congregation will enthusiastically accept the vision of the leadership. 1 Timothy 5:17 for the marriages and families in your church to be strong, the building blocks of the church. Eph. 5:33; 6:1, 4 for an evangelistic spirit to pervade the members of the church; that each week members will have clear opportunities to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Acts 2:46-47 for generosity, it's common a small percentage provide the funds for ministry; ask God to break this pattern and the majority will be cheerful givers. 2 Corinthians 8:7; 9:7 for volunteers, enough volunteers to cover all the ministries of the church so that they will not be stretched thin and burned out on serving; for a balance between serving and being served. 1 Cor. 12:4-7 for those who lead in musical worship; for preparation time to be a time of worship for them personally as they seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, and that the worship service will not be a ‘show,’ but an offering of praise. Psalm 150:1 for the youth of the church, for strong roots of faith to maintain a positive witness throughout high school and into college/career; for their leaders to have the necessary wisdom to teach and lead in the 21st century in a way that connects with teens and attracts more. 1 Timothy 4:12 for a spirit of unity, not divided over personalities, worship style, personal preferences, and other minor concerns; that this spirit of division will not pervade your church, but yours will be a church known for its peace and unity. Eph. 4:3 Monday, April 3rd - Introduction & Unity Vodcast Podcast: Interceding for believers across SBC to pray for churches & ministries & unity Prayer Points/verse: Love for believers in other churches; Phil. 2:2 - make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Repent of arrogance, haughtiness, better than thoughts & replaced with sense of team players, Rom. 12:16 - Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.; Watch what we say about each other, seek peace & edification instead; Rom. 14:19 - So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Share our resources with one another & be of one heart & soul; Acts 4:32 - And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. Be sympathetic, humble, harmonious & watch out for callousness, pride & division; 1 Pet. 3:8 - To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit. All strive to share the gospel with courage & faith & compassion for the lost; Phil. 1:27 - Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. Do everything to preserve unity; may they know we are Christians by our love for one another; Eph. 4:3 - being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Unity-Among-Believers

Adam McCann, writer for WalletHub wrote an article entitled 2022's Most Sinful Cities in America. They compared 180 cities using 7 major categories broken down by 38 indicators for illicit behavior. Sadly, four of the cities are in San Bernardino County. They are San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana. The Lord knew how we should address such disturbing news - pray. Join us this month in following God's way of dealing with sin on a corporate level. Let's seek an awakening of God's people to pray, seek His face [not hand], unite in intercession & repentance on behalf of the sins. Let's believe for revival of lives transformed by the Holy Spirit which reform cities. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land - 2 Chronicles 7:14 Reference: 2022’s Most Sinful Cities in America (wallethub.com) "City living has its advantages, but more residents usually means more pollution, more rats, and more trash. The problem is worse in some cities than in others. LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Dirtiest Cities in America following one of the trashiest times of the year, the winter holiday season. We compared over 150 of the biggest U.S. cities across four categories, including pollution, living conditions, infrastructure, and consumer satisfaction. Depending on where you live, you may want to buy some air fresheners, mouse traps, or a can of Raid." Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, National Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP), Numbeo, Other LawnStarter Studies, Salvage-Parts.com, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Three California Cities Rank Among The 'Dirtiest' In America - NewsBreak Friday, Mar. 31st - Dirtiest Cities: Consumer Satisfaction Podcast: Praying to increase Consumer Satisfaction re: Dirty, Pollution, Garbage Disposal, Greenery & Parks % of Residents Who Find City Dirty and Untidy: San Bernardino 93.75%; Ontario 50%; Fontana 60%; Rancho Cucamonga 0% % of Residents Dissatisfied with Air/Water Pollution: San Bernardino 91.67% & 70% ; Ontario 66.67% & 25%; Fontana 55% & 35%; Rancho Cucamonga 33.3% & 16.67% % of Residents Dissatisfied with Garbage Disposal: San Bernardino 43.75%; Ontario 50%; Fontana 30%; Rancho Cucamonga 0% % of Residents Dissatisfied with Greenery and Parks: San Bernardino 68.75%; Ontario 70%; Fontana 37.5%; Rancho Cucamonga 33.3% Prayer Points: City officials will create ways to address the air and water pollution problems, Improvement in air quality and water drinkability, our county seat city SB would improve in cleanliness, inspire organizations to take one section of city and clean it monthly like they do the roadways, raise the standards for businesses/residences to keep properties clean, garbage and sanitation would look at areas that need to be updated/cleaned; more parks and greenery; people would voice their concerns to their public officials loudly enough & be heard; help the leaders see a dirty city invites crime, poverty and poor economic growth. Salvation, Transformation & Reformation to the cities. Gospel preached with boldness, lives changed, cities reformed. Scriptures: Is. 1:16; Deut. 23:12-14; Lev. 25:35; Prov. 22:2; 2 Cor. 8:9; Prov. 20:13; 31:8-9 Thursday, Mar. 30th - Dirtiest Cities: Infrastructure Podcast: Praying Infrastructure issues improve: Landfills, Waste Regs., Recycling, Alt. Fuel & Junk Yards Tons of Waste in Landfills & Rating of State Waste Regulations and Measures; #1 highest waste in CA over 50% 1,172,625; #2 is LA at 736K; San Bernardino Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) is responsible for the operation and management of the solid waste disposal system for the largest county in the United States. Our disposal system consists of five regional landfills and nine transfer stations. Refuse and Recycling Collectors: 160 facilities; 72 closed; 1 clean closed; 3 inactive; 3 planned; 81 active [42 have notifications to fix something not up to code] Alternative-Fuel Stations: 5th place for clean vehicle rebates; 385 in SBC; Fontana 16; Ontario 44; Rancho Cucamonga 24; San Bernardino 54 No. of Junk Yards: in SBC there are 193 junk yards Prayer Points: Trash collectors safety and able to sort properly; residents help in sorting their trash as requested; more products made that can recycle; truth about alternative energy; example electric cars use batteries that cannot be recycled; if electric grid goes down or asked to conserve electricity like last summer, no electricity for vehicle; truth be told and viable ways to help the environment; junk yards have rules to recycle materials for use on other products, innovations how to reuse things; faithfulness to what we have; not overbuying; county officials and Waste Management Division ethical with funds, waste site facilities follow regulations, rules reasonable to follow; less landfills & what to do with those that closed. Scriptures: Lk 16:12; Deut. 19:14; Acts. 2:45; Matt. 6:19-2; Lk. 16;10 Wednesday, Mar. 29th - Dirtiest Cities: Living Conditions Podcast: Praying to improve Living Conditions in Homes Population Density (Residents per Square Mile) - SBC has a population density of 106 people per square mile as of 2018. San Francisco County has the highest population density in California with 17,344 people per square mile followed by Orange County with 3,342 people per square mile and Los Angeles County with 2,421 people per square mile2. Share of Overcrowded Homes - SBC worst residential overcrowding rates in CA; ranks 9th among 58 counties; 1 out of 10 units is overcrowded Share of Homes with No Kitchen or Plumbing Facilities – couldn’t find data, not having a kitchen could be problematic long-term, costly; no plumbing poses health risks; especially long-term. Share of Homes with Mold, Signs of Mice or Rats, Cockroaches or Sewage Disposal: couldn’t find the data; any one of these issues poses a health risk to those in residence. Unsheltered Homeless Rate – CA has highest homeless rate at 67% unsheltered; in 202 0SBC had 2,389 adults/children homeless by count; sheltered increased by 28% [944] leaving 1,445 unsheltered. Cities accounting for 76% of the homeless are in the cities of Barstow, Colton, Fontana, Ontario, Redlands, San Bernardino, and Victorville. Scriptures: Is. 32:18; Prov. 19:17; 28:27; 14:31; Deut. 15:11; Prov. 31:8-9 Tuesday, Mar. 28th - Dirtiest Cities: Pollution Podcast: Praying to improve Pollution Issues: air, water, greenhouse/gas, fuel & smokers Median Air Quality Index: Worst air quality in the US ratio is #US vs #CA in #1 are: position San Bernardino [1/1], Fontana [8/3], Ontario [10/4], Rancho Cucamonga [16/6]. Air pollution particulate matter 17.6 daily average. Presence of Water Quality Violations: yes throughout the county; Currently, our region faces challenges with the man-made groups of chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exposure to certain PFAS can lead to adverse health effects in humans. Greenhouse-Gas Emissions (Metric Tons CO2e) per Capita: SBC is in a Greenhouse Gas Reduction plan. that will reduce 7,891 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (MT CO2e) per year from new development by 2030; currently MTCO2e/SP 6.7% with goal to lower to 5.4% by 2040. Annual Excess Fuel Consumption (Gallons per Auto Commuter): SBC highest rate of people driving alone; driving further to get to work; more delivery trucks due to warehouses & distribution. Percentage of Smokers – 13% in SBC almost 275K smokers Prayer points: County Supervisors who sit on the South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality; leaders on the Water districts: SBMWD serves San Bernardino & unincorporated cities; each major city has its own water district/leaders; officials overseeing Greenhouse/Gas emissions; more ways to help commuters spend less time, fuel and money commuting; smokers decrease. Scriptures: 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 13:1-2; Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:21; Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17 Monday, Mar. 27th - Laziness: High school dropouts & Teen Disconnect Podcast: Praying for SBC regarding Laziness: High school dropouts & Disconnected Youth High School Dropout Rate: In SBC 2.6% dropped out county wide; San Bernardino 2.6%; Ontario 2.6%; Rancho Cucamonga 1.6%; Fontana 1.5%; Worst in county is Trona Joint Unified at 58.5%; Victor Valley Union High at 5.9%; Barstow Unified at 3.4%; Lucerne Valley Unified 3.1%. Disconnected Youth (16-24) Rate [not in school nor working] by city: San Bernardino unemployed 16.7%; No diploma 27%; 31% HS grad; 27% some college; 14% college degree. Ontario 4.1% unemployed; 24% no diploma; 27% HS grad; 22% some college; 25% college degree Rancho Cucamonga 3.4% unemployed; 8.5% no diploma; 19% HS grad; 25% some college; 47% college degree Fontana 4.2% unemployed; 23% no diploma; 28% HS grad; 23% 26% some college; college degree Prayer points: Increase in grad rates, decrease in drop outs, ways to help students stay in school and be motivated, more intervention for those who drop out with disabilities; more parents take an active role in child’s education, those 16-24 able to find jobs and better work ethics, more teachings, Bible studies, family discussions on the benefits of working versus being lazy, break the stronghold of entitlement, pride and arrogance, more understanding of God’s love vs selfishness. Scriptures: Ps. 119:66; Dan. 1:17; Prov. 18:15; 2 Thess. 3:10; Prov. 13:4; 10:4 18:9; 2 Thess. 3:11-12 Friday, Mar. 24th - Laziness: Volunteering vs TV Watching Podcast: Praying for SBC & Laziness: Time given to Volunteering vs Watching TV Volunteer Rate: 30% formally volunteer, 40% fundraising, 34% food distribution. Top causes in order 1 to 6: hunger/homelessness, health/wellness; faith/spirituality; animal/wildlife, children/youth, environment/conservation. Avg. 52 hours/year; baby boomers highest percentage; women more than men. Volunteers benefit with a stronger sense of unity, improved overall physical and mental health and aids to resume building. Avg. Daily Time Spent Watching TV by hours: By age group: 18-34 [1.37]; 35-49 [3.24]; 50-64 [5.43]; 65+[7.14]; all adults 4.16 [FYI comparison interact with smartphone avg. 3.30 hrs/day in addition to TV] Prayer points: More people would volunteer at churches, see its importance and value to the body of Christ; more education on why helping others benefits health emotionally, spiritually and mentally; increase in volunteers for good causes; opportunities to build relationships with people outside their comfort zone; the kindness, sacrifice and love displayed would improve communities, volunteers touted more in ads, movies, shows; church volunteers see it as every member being part of a family and all are needed; TV filters used; people would monitor what and how much they watch, is it redeeming the time. Scriptures: Lk. 6:38; Heb. 13:16; 2 Cor. 9:7; Rom. 12:2; Jms.4:4; Matt. 6:2; 1 Jn. 2;15 Thursday, Mar. 23rd - Laziness: Adults Not Exercising & Avg. Work Hours Podcast: Praying for SBC regarding Laziness: Adults not exercising vs Work Hours Share of Adults Not Exercising: SBC has a countywide campaign called Vision 2BActive; educating and encouraging people to increase their physical activity. In a typical week, youths 5-17 should be physically active at least 60 minutes/day; adults 30 moderate daily 5 days/week. Currently 34% youths meet the goal and only 23.5% adults. Facts: 75% SBC residents live within 1 mile of a local park, 5 miles from a regional, state or federal park. Vision2BActive – Vision2BActive (sbcounty.gov) Average Weekly Hours Worked: National average is 34.6 hours/week; SBC averaged 35.5 for the last 12 months. Found average commuter time/week by city: San Bernardino [28.9 hrs]; Fontana [34 hrs]; Ontario [31.5]; Rancho Cucamonga [32.2]. Prayer points: more adults to exercise the minimum 30 minutes/day, motivate others to do the same including their family, address obesity and need to treat our temples well from home, church and studies, people would take up the 2Bactive challenge that SBC provides, people will walk more; use stairways, see the benefits, commuting time would lessen; more jobs available closer to their homes or move closer to jobs; teachings on how to balance work, family and body care; parks, trails, would be used more and safe. Scriptures: Ps. 128:2; Ps. 127:1-2; Prov. 23:4-5; Eccl. 3:12-13; Matt. 6:23-24; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Prov. 24:5; 31:7 Wednesday, Mar. 22nd - Vanity: Tanning Salons & Top 5 Plastic Surgeries Podcast: Praying for Cities ranked on Vanity: tanning salons & plastic surgery [Sex Reassignment Surgery prayer included] Tanning Salons [measured per Capita.] We found around 30 near the 4 cities. Interest on Top 5 Plastic Surgeries. US Stats: 92% on women; 13-19 make up 2%; 30-39 make up 45%. Top five procedures: nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, facelift, liposuction, breast augmentation. [Awareness] Sex Reassignment Surgery on minors/adults: Transgender Surgery Institute of Southern California [Santa Monica]; UCLA Gender Health Program’s pediatric practice [Los Angeles] on minors & Gender Clinic at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health (Palo Alto] Prayer points: People will be filled with an awe and reverence from the Lord, the fear of the Lord would be honored more than outward appearance, people would see their value in God more than in how they look, tanning salon owners/workers required to notify clients of potential harm from tanning beds i.e. cancer, premature aging, immune system compromised; plastic surgeons not push unnecessary/costly procedures; laws to protect minors from getting reassignment surgery; education of health issues on the surgery, exposure & expelled if done solely for the money, laws passed it can’t be done as a minor, more teachings on beauty skin deep by families and churches. Scriptures: 1 Sam. 16:7; Jer. 4:30; 1 Pet. 3:3-4; Ps. 139:14; 2 Cor. 4:16 Tuesday, Mar. 21st - Lust: Online Dating Apps [i.e. Tinder] & Teen Births/Abortions Podcast: Praying teen births/ abortions decline & increased moral standards in OL dating apps About Tinder – most popular online dating app that finds singles who live locally; reputation as a hook up app, shows pictures profiles that you swipe right if you like, left if not interested. Requires a picture and short blurb about yourself including relationship goals. Most used by age 52% 18-29; 38% 30-49; 10% 50+. Two good articles addressed it from a Christian’s perspective: if it tempts you delete it; use caution when meeting someone, make sure of their motives. Estimated Teen births/abortions in Cities/county: County teen births 12.5% vs. abortions 8.7% 1,025 vs. 715; San Bernardino [127 vs. 74]; Fontana [126 vs 73], Ontario [106 vs 62] , Rancho Cucamonga [103 vs 60] . Prayer points: People review apps for safety features before using, Christians pray before using an online dating app, higher standards required when using the apps [i.e. conservative pictures, nothing abusive, aggressive, immoral allowed in conversations]; apps used for sexual immorality would diminish in use; people delivered from sexual addictions, revival among those developing, promoting & using the apps, teen births continues to decrease in rate; abortions among teens decrease, more education on the option to adopt; increase promotion of abstinence before marriage at home, in school and at church. Scriptures: 1 Cor. 10:23; 2 Tim. 2:22; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:33; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Gen. 2;18 Monday, Mar. 20th - Lust: Adult Entertainment Establishments/Events & Online Podcast: Praying for the Lust Indicators in Sinful Cities – Adult & XXX entertainment & events About Cities: San Bernardino [SB] ranked 10/182; Rancho Cucamonga [RC] ranked 64/182; Ontario ranked 93/182, Fontana ranked 113/182 Adult Entertainment Establishments per Capita [escort services; gentlemen’s clubs, etc.] – San Bernardino [13+]; Ontario [9]; RC [9]; Fontana [11] [also Victorville, Rialto] Erotic/Burlesque Events per Capita – over next 2 months over 12+ events Google Search Interest Index for “XXX Entertainment" [measures search interest for online adult entertainment] Prayer points: Less adult entertainment establishments replaced with a healthy business; people who own will get saved & change the business; people attending these place on ground or online will be convicted and delivered and set free; those who are victims from sex trafficking will be found, counseled, healed, released and find new edifying work, those who succumb to this work for the money will see its long term damage to multitudes; takers get penalties more than the ones supplying. Scriptures: Matt. 5:28; 1 Jn. 2:16; Gal. 5:16; Col. 3:5; 2 Tim. 2:22; Job 31:1; 1 Cor. 6:18 Friday, Mar. 17th - Greed: Casinos, Gambling, Charitable Giving Podcast Cities: San Bernardino [SB]; Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga [RC]; Fontana each ranked 42/182. Casinos per Capita: San Manuel Yaamava Resort & Casino [Highland], Dads Casino Party & Poker Night [Ontario]; E-l33t Gaming [Upland]. The lure of Las Vegas gambling. Share of Adults with Gambling Disorders: 38K in SBC; CA has Office of Problem Gambling (OPG) that provides education, counseling, treatment and identification. Included is helpline, training and technical assistance, public awareness campaigns and research. Three major organizations help gamblers: Gamblers Anonymous for gamblers specifically similar to AA. Gam-Anon for the spouse, family or close friends of compulsive gamblers. GamTalk a 24/7 moderated online peer support forum. Charitable Donations as Share of Income: Six out of ten (or 60%) households give to charities; By age group broken below; all tend to give to local places of worship. Millennials on average/annually give $481, 84% give & make up 11% of donors; Gen X gives $732 on avg/annually; 59% give regularly, tend to fund raise & volunteer ; Baby boomers give $1212 avg/annually; 72% give; make up 43% of all donations; Silent Generation gives $1,367 avg/annually; 88% donors; 11% of population give 26% of all donors Prayer points: Decrease in gambling compulsion, for the 3 groups helping the gambler, family of gambler and the peer support forum to see an increase in attendance and freedom; state will continue to provide more help to those with the problem & education at places that allow gambling; churches will address best uses of money especially as prices of commodities increase; people give more to charities and tithe as the Lord encourages, as a result see needs met. Scriptures: Proverbs 13:11; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35 Thursday, Mar. 16th - Smoking & Debt-to-Income Ratio [Excesses/Vices] Podcast Excesses/Vices: Praying for Decreased Smoking & Poverty Podcast Adult Smokers [11% over 178K in SBC; US avg 15%, 18% high school students used e-cigarettes/vaping machine 1/x daily] SBC promotes resources to quit smoking & lists the risks/harms: Stained teeth/tongue; dulled sense of taste/smell; Bad breath; Gum disease; Tooth loss; bad skin; bad smelling clothes/hair; poor sports performance, longer healing times and risk of illness, lung cancer. Debt to Income Ratio: Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is the percentage of gross monthly income that goes to paying monthly debt payments and used by lenders to determine borrowing risk. Top 10 cities & their poverty rates %: Muscoy 39.3%; Adelanto 38.5%; Barstow 36.4%; Lenwood, 35%; Trona 33.9%; Homestead Valley 33.3%; Lucerne Valley 31.4%; San Bernardino 30.6%; Needles 26.5%; Victorville 23.3%. Prayer points: Continued education on the harms of smoking; more education on vaping to youth; decrease in number of adults/youth who smoke any type; churches find creative ways to not only feed the poor, but also help them learn how to manage their income; schools return to teaching budgets, community colleges offer classes on how to save/spend affordably; more teaching from pulpits on scriptural money management principles; people would take some of these poorest cities and pray for them for a month or year; of the 10 poorest cities 4 legalized cannabis distribution in all forms; for the city councils to see the correlation to poverty and use of it; find alternative ways to build their economy and income. Verses: Heb. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Cor. 6:12; Lev. 25:35; Prov. 22:2; 2 Cor. 8:9; Prov. 17:5 Wednesday, Mar. 15th - Marijuana, Opioids & Drug Overdose [Excesses/Vices] Podcast Population Using Marijuana [measures 12 & older who used marijuana in past month] 12-17 4.68%; 18-25 25.9%; 26+ 13.5% [in the US 15% use MJ] Concerns THC in MJ increased; risks intoxication, anxiety, agitation, paranoia, psychosis, schizophrenia, addiction, cognitive impairment, poor performance at work, poor judgment, poor concentration, difficulty in recall & attention. Retail Opioid Prescriptions Dispensed 12-17 yrs [1.72%]; 18-25 [3.25%]; 26+ [3.59%] Drug Overdose Deaths [measures deaths due to drug poisoning] 2021 San Bernardino county had 1,630 drug overdose deaths, intentional & non. By age: 20-29 [304]; 30-39 [322]; 40-49 [307]; 50-59 [373]; 60+ [269] [trend showing an increase in senior drug overdosed deaths in the last several years] Prayer points: more education on risks/harms of MJ use; drug enforcement agencies able to crack down on illegal distribution of drugs esp. fentanyl, more people voice their opinions against drugs at city hall meetings like a Christian pastor group did in Barstow; boldness and courage to believers to speak up, more informed with data to prove the problems, prevention programs in churches, education in Christian schools about harms, more education on opioid addictions/risks, awaken people to the truth and set them free from the addictions, transformed lives by the gospel. Verses: Luke 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:17; Ps. 107:10-22 Tuesday, Mar. 14th - Excess Drinking & DUI Fatalities [Excesses & Vices] Podcast Excessive Drinking [measures age-adjusted prevalence of binge and heavy drinking among the adult population.] By age alcohol use past month: 12-17 [6%]; 18-25 [45%]; 26+ [50%] Binged alcohol past month: 12-17 [4%]; 18-25 [28% ]; 26+ [21% ] Drank alcohol 1-2x/week: 12-17 [47% ]; 18-25 [45% ]; 26% [49% ] DUI-Related Fatalities per Capita 114 fatalities [2020] 2nd highest county in CA; LA #1 216 [2020] 4,753 DUI convictions [2018] Ranked 5th highest county in CA; highest convictions by age: 42% [21-30]; 27% [31-40] Prayer points: more education about dangers & health risks of binge drinking; harder rules in colleges specifically CSUSB; Loma Linda University; Chaffey Community college; Victor Valley Community college; University of Redlands, tough love documentaries about DUI fatalities, victims injured to speak up or who lost a loved one; more on social media about it; less DUI fatalities; more law enforcement car checks; the freeway marquis to post about not drinking; that there is no tolerance when caught; MADD speaks to schools; more celebrate recovery groups open to the public Verses: 1 Cor. 6:12; Eph. 5:18; Phil. 4:5; 1 Pet. 5:8 Monday, Mar. 13th - Podcast: Excesses/Vices: Obesity, Fast Food & Caffeine Consumption Share of Obese Adults in San Bernardino county 7-in-10 Adults or 69% are Overweight or Obese Students in Grades 5th, 7th & 9th: 4 in 10 overweight or 43% overweight [23% at health risk; 20% needs improvement] Top obese school districts: Fontana 49.4%, San Bernardino 48.5%, Rialto & Colton 48.4%, Victor 44.7% Fast-Food Establishments per Capita in SBC 1050 Fast Food Restaurants serving 2,121,220; that’s 1 per 2,020 people & 1 per 19 sq. miles. Top cities with most: Ontario 132; San Bernardino 99; Rancho Cucamonga 96; Fontana 95 Share of Adult Coffee Drinkers [measures share of adults who drank ready-to-drink coffee in past six months.] How much is too much? More than 4 cups brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks [caffeine content varies in drink] 16-oz. energy drink can have 54 to 62 grams of added sugar; exceeds max amount rec. per day; guarana in energy drinks increases caffeine amount Health risks excess caffeine: serious heart and blood vessel problems; heart rhythm disturbances; increases heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, sleep & digestive problems, dehydration Verses: Proverbs 23:20-21; 30:8: 23:2; Phil. 3:19 Friday, Mar. 10th - Top 10 other SBC Cities based on Jealousy Categories Podcast Top 10 by category Worst: Ranked top 10 in 3 categories: Earp, Vidal, Nipton, Cima, Baker, Green Valley Lake, Fawnskin; Ranked in 2 categories: Angelus Oaks, Colton, Edwards AFB, Essex/Fenner, Amboy/Cadiz Theft: Green Valley Lake 153%: Edwards AFB 75%; Forest Falls 51%; Fawnskin 48%; Silver Lakes & Helendale 34%; Nipton 23%; Cima 23%; Vidal & Baker 22% Vehicle Theft: Montclair & Ontario & Bloomington & Fontana & Rialto 6.5%; Colton 6.2%; Upland 6.1%; Chino 6%; Grand Terrace 5.9% Burglary: Fawnskin 14%; Green Valley Lake & Earp 13%; Nipton 11.4%; Cima 11.3%; Baker & Argus/Trona 11%; Amboy/Cadiz 10.9%; Essex/Fenner 10.8%; Big River 10.6% Vandalism: Needles/Havasu Lake 50%; Earp 42%; Victorville 24%; Pioneer Town 22%; Angelus Oaks 21%; Seven Oaks/Barton Flats 19%; Colton 18%; San Bernardino Intl Airport 17.6%; Newberry Springs 17.4%; Vidal 16.5% ID Theft: Fawnskin 5.4%; Green Valley Lake 3.5%; Earp 1.4%; Nipton & Cima & Baker/Oro Grande 1.3%; Vidal, Essex/Fenner 1.3%; Amboy/Cadiz & Edwards AFB 1.2% Prayer points: Crime rates go down in all stealing categories in each city; outreaches that address stealing; sentences for thieves to work & payback what they stole to the victims; more graffiti laws in each community; citizens vote to ensure vandals fix, pay for, or paint over damaged items; task forces to find vehicles faster esp. for those selling parts for more evil; greater education for cybercrime preventions, more cyber PI experts to identify criminals; where there are no city council, county supervisors create teams to address the problems & prevent Scriptures: James 3:16; Heb. 13:15; Ex. 20:15; Prov. 6:34; 14:30; 10:2; Eph. 4:28 Thursday, Mar. 9th - Jealousy: Theft, Vehicle Theft, Burglary, Vandalism, ID Theft Podcast About 4 Sinful Cities: San Bernardino [SB]; Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga [RC]; Fontana Jealousy by rank in order out of 180 cities: SB 108; Ontario 140; RC 144; Fontana163. Theft: RC 17%; Fontana 14%; Ontario 13%; SB 8% Vehicle Theft: Ontario/Fontana 7%; SB 5%; RC 3% Burglary: SB 8%; Fontana 6%; Ontario 5%; RC 3% Vandalism: Fontana 14%; SB 12%; Ontario 8%; RC 3% ID Theft: Ontario/SB/RC/Fontana .8%<= Prayer points: Reminder of the 10 commandments; deliverance from those who are under the enemy’s control; for people to be content with what they have; things stolen returned as part of consequence or paid back when sentenced; ministry to those who steal; is it based on needs or wants; education how to spend & save money; increase cybersecurity teams who can find & sentence cybercriminals; thieves have to labor and do honest work with their own hands, then learn to share; salvation to thieves, transformation, reformation to cities Scriptures: James 3:16; Heb. 13:15; Ex. 20:15; Prov. 6:34; 14:30; 10:2; Eph. 4:28 Wednesday, Mar. 8th - Top 15 SBC Cities Highest Violent Crimes Podcast Top 15 Most Violent Ranked Cities in SBC [# of times ranked in top 5 by category]: Green Valley Lake [5], Vidal [5], Baker [4], Earp [4], Havasu Lake [3], Big River [3], Adelanto [3], Oro Grande [2], Fawnskin [2], Big Bear Lake [1], Angelus Oaks [1], Hinkley [1], Devore [1], Sugarloaf, Barstow. All ranked Violent Crime Grade F. Top 5 by Categories: Assault: Green Valley Lake 13%, Hinkley 8%, Havasu Lake, Devore & Oro Grande 7%. Armed Robbery: 6% Angelus Oaks & Earp, 5% Vidal, 4% Big River, 3% Adelanto. Rape: 4% Green Valley Lake; .45% Baker, Fawnskin, Earp, Adelanto. Murder: 3% Baker, 1.6% Vidal, .7% Earp, .5% Havasu Lake, .2% Green Valley Lake. Kidnapping: 4% Baker, 3% Vidal, 2% Fawnskin, 1% Big River, .8% Green Valley Lake. Drug crimes: 45% Baker, 39% Green Valley Lake, 38% Big River, 26% Adelanto, 14% Vidal. Animal Cruelty: .6% Oro Grande, .3% Earp & Vidal, .2% Havasu Lake & Big Bear Lake Prayer points: Cities where % is so much higher than others have more attention by law enforcement & city community leaders; ways to identify why this is a problem, though in some cases in obscure places; victims of the crimes committed able to find healing, restoration, and deliverance; county supervisors make teams visit these communities with creative solutions to prevent the crimes, county & cities address the drug crimes that are so high, task forces able to do operation rescue in these areas, though small not to be forgotten. Scriptures: Hosea 4:2 ; Proverbs 3:29 ;Proverbs 3:31;Psalms 11:5; Psalms 72:14 Tuesday, Mar. 7th - Anger/Hatred Fontana Podcast About City: Ranks 142/180 most sinful cities overall; 147/180 for anger/hatred; Overall crime grade is D-; violent crime D+; property crime D; other crime F; a crime occurs every 38 minutes; top issues are drug crimes at 21% [very high] theft 14% [high]; vandalism 9%; vehicle theft 6% Repent & Scriptures: [Forgiveness] – forgive any one or any organization who offended you, reconcile with anyone who has a grudge against you, be merciful as God is merciful to us, forgive daily, love enemies, pray for them and those who hurt you, don’t judge [Col. 3:13; Mk. 11:25; Matt. 5:44; 6:15; 18:21-22; Lk. 6:27-30 & 37] Prayer points: drug crimes in Fontana decrease, crime grade improves, those selling, marketing, making and distributing the drugs be caught, sentences harsh enough to cause restraint of future crimes, confusion in the camps of gangs & cartel, South Fontana and Mexican Mafia prison gang La Eme decrease in size & power, Fontana Police Department ethical, just, wise and captures criminals, give them seeing eyes, motivated by law & justice not vengeance, balanced lives with family & work, integrity, more preventive programs, churches pray & help Monday, Mar. 6th - Anger/Hatred Rancho Cucamonga Podcast About City: Rancho Cucamonga ranks 131/180 cities overall; 144/180 for anger/hatred; crime grade overall D; violent crime C; property C-; other D; A crime occurs every 2 hours 41 minutes; top issues 20% vandalism; 10% theft; 5% drug crimes. Repent & Scriptures: harsh words vs a soft answer; selfish desires, lust, want what I want when I want it vs. content in what we have; not reconciling with people we offended; not vengeful, being good to those who hurt us, praying for our enemies vs talking bad about them, not quarrelsome, always trying to pick a fight or argue, vs kind, teachable not resentful, repentance leads to a knowledge of the truth [Prov. 15:1; James 4:1; Matt. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 2:23-26; Rom. 12:21; 2 Prov. 22:10] Prayer Points: the truth of God’s word penetrates the hearts of those planning crimes, set free from sexual, drug and alcohol addictions, more firearms caught in Operation Rescue; more task force finds, strong convictions and sentences that puts a fear in criminals, punishment worthy of the crime, reformation in prisons, churches/ministries pray for prisoners and have programs to help juveniles not become criminals, conflict management classes taught in prisons and schools, In RC: West Valley Detention Center, Superior Courthouse of CA in RC, judges, defense lawyers & prosecutors. Friday, March 3rd - Anger/Hatred Ontario Prayer Podcast About City: Ontario ranks 125/180 cities overall for most sinful; 145/180 for anger/hatred category; a crime occurs every 1 hour 3 minutes (on average); overall crime grade is D; violent D; property D+; other D-; top issues are 13.5% drug crimes; theft 11%; 7% vandalism; 6% vehicle theft. Pray about Anger/Hatred Indicators: Violent Crimes; Sex Offenders; Aggravated Assault; Bullying; Hate-Crime & groups; Deaths due to Firearms; no Mass Shootings; no Terrorist Attacks Repent with Scriptures: Foolishness; venting our anger, no self-control, yelling, arguing, quick to anger, hot tempered people, stirring up strife, bitterness, hotheaded, insecurity, perverse tongue, mad at people, cursing, being rude [Prov. 14:16; 15:4; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11; 29:11; James 1:19; Eph. 4:30-31] Prayer Points [control anger]: salvation, deliverance, holding their tongue, self-control, slow to anger, stop arguing, quick to listen to understand, quiets contention, decrease, crime grade improves, drug crimes decrease, Ontario Police Department, Drug task forces: Inland Empire Clandestine Lab, Inland Regional Narcotic Enforcement, Drug Enforcement, High-Intensity Drug Trafficking, Ontario City jail, Prison Fellowship, Kairos, Jesus is the Key prison ministries. Thursday, March 2nd - Anger/Hatred San Bernardino Prayer Podcast Info: San Bernardino Crime grade overall is F; violent F; property D+ and other F; every 26 minutes a crime occurs; top issue: drug crimes 41% extremely high and gang activity, high poverty rate 21%. County Pray about: Crime decreases in violence, sex offenders, aggravated assault, bullying, hate-crime, hate groups, firearm deaths, mass shootings, terrorism; crime grade improves, less violence, less property crime & lower drug crimes; gangs divide & decrease; Central Detention Center, San Bernardino City Jail, Central Valley Juvenile Detention & Assessment Center; Operation Consequences; public safety, Criminals, Prisons reformation by the transforming Gospel, deliverance from gangs & addiction, Fatherhood programs succeed and increase, The Mom and Dad Project grow & graduate parents via court orders. Repent/Scriptures: uncontrolled anger, revenge, bitterness, offenses, malice, slander, obscene talk, quick-tempered, quarreling, act before thinking, hating anyone [ Psalm 37:8; Eph. 4:26-27 James 1:20; Col. 3:8; Prov. 14:29; 1 Tim. 2:8; Ps. 4:4; 1 Jn. 3:1] Wednesday, March 1st - Watch the vodcast: Call to Pray for the sinful cities in SBC.