WE NEED TO PRAY!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But what should we pray about?\u00a0 For everyone and every need (Eph 6:18)!\u00a0 Specific prayers will be made for:<\/p>\n

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• Prayer for unity under God in our nation and throughout the body of Christ<\/strong>.\n
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  • Montgomery County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. It should be obvious that racial tensions and social unrest have not been eliminated in our nation in the 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King\u2019s death.<\/li>\n
  • We need to pray for God\u2019s grace and wisdom to help us to carry out the ministry of reconcilliation with God (2 Cor. 5:18-19) and each other (Eph. 2:14-16).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
  • Prayer for the safety and well-being of our Teachers, Students, and Families<\/strong>\n
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    • In the 50 years before the Texas tower shooting, there were just 25 public mass shootings in which four or more people were killed. Since then, the number has risen dramatically, and many of the deadliest shootings have occurred within the past few years.\u00a0This rise in shootings reflects the breakdown of the family and its impact on youth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Prayer for wisdom and courage for our Government Leaders and Public Servants; First Responders and Veterans<\/strong>\n
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      • Our Federal, State and Local government leaders are facing many challenges from national security, immigration to budgeting and fiscal policy.<\/li>\n
      • In 2017, 46 officers were fatally shot in the line of duty, but more than triple that \u2014 140 \u2014 committed suicide. A study from the Ruderman Family Foundation indicates that \u201cSuicides left more police officers and firefighters dead last year than all line-of-duty deaths combined.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Prayer for flourishing and integrity of our Workers & Business leaders for the good of our communities<\/strong>\n
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        • American businesses are made up of people, and without a foundations of ethics and morals found in the Bible, we\u2019ll continue to see people lie, cheat, steal, and oppress others.<\/li>\n
        • Business also has the ability and talent to make significant contributions to the social welfare and economic flourishing of our country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Prayer for compassion and assistance for our Poor, Vulnerable and Oppressed<\/strong>\n
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          • The national spending on entitlement programs is about to experience a huge demographic shift and will run out of funding if reforms are not put in place. Christians can pray for and support organizations that provide assistance to those who slip through the safety net.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            WE NEED TO PRAY AND ACT!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            Christians are the answer to the prayers needs of our nation. That\u2019s why Jesus sends us to make disciples.<\/p>\n

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            • Our keynote speaker, Dr. Joel Freeman<\/strong> served as mentor\/chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets\/Wizards for 19 years (1979-\u201998). Although he was a Caucasian Canadian, he learned to relate to all the members of the team. Over the past decade, Joel has combined his entrepreneurial skills and love for history to conduct extensive research into African American history and culture. Dr. Joel Freeman is an in-demand speaker nationwide and brings a rich reservoir of personal experience blended with contagious enthusiasm, clarity and down to earth humor to empower people from diverse walks of life.<\/li>\n
            • Joel\u2019s keynote address will challenge us to put our prayers into action, following in Jesus\u2019 steps by loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and minds, and our neighbor as ourselves. [Matt. 22:37-39]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Praying for America personally, in your church, and in a National Day of Prayer observance on\u00a0Thursday, May 3, is a responsibility of each Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ. If you can\u2019t join us in person, this video tool is a way to pray for our country. Use it personally between now and the National Day of Prayer. Use it in your church worship services before or after\u00a0May 3. Use it in an observance of the National Day of Prayer.<\/p>\n