Prayer Guide
October 2011

1. There are several fairs and farm shows the first ten days of October that will host an FCF outreach.  They include Roseneath Fair in Roseneath, Ontario, CA, on the 1st and 2nd of the month, the Ozark Fall Farmfest in Springfield, Missouri, USA on the 7th  to the 9th, The Horse and Farm Expo in Fonda, New York, USA, the Norwood Fair in Ontario, CA, the Woodbridge Fall Fair in Ontario, CA, and the Petricktown Day in Petricktown, New Jersey, USA all starting on the 8th of the month.  Holy One guide your Spirit to move in each of these events, inspire presenters to witness faithfully, and, those who hear the word, to respond positively.
    
2. Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s money manager?  Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it”.  Now that you understand that all “your” material possessions really are not yours, does that change your perspective?  It does mine.  Provider God, thank you for all the bounty you have allowed me to use and enjoy and guide me to use all of it wisely and for your honor.
    
3. People along the AtlanticCoast, eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont are struggling to regain some sense of normalcy after wind, heavy rains, and severe flooding damaged or destroyed much personal property.  In some cases, loss of power, washed out roads and bridges made recovery even more difficult.  King of Kings, we pray that affected people find the courage to face their difficult situations and that help, both physical and monetary, will be quickly available to ease their needs and concerns.
    
4. While some areas are devastated by excessive rain and flooding, others are suffering severe drought.  Man of Sorrows, hear, too, the prayers of those going through dry times where crops fail, fires rage, wells quit, tempers flair, faith falters, Forgive us our lack of patience, send angels to comfort, and provide relief for those facing disasters of every stripe.
    
5. Many prayer requests have come across our desk recently. These include drought relief, a granddaughter with breathing difficulties, a daughter in school, sin, vision, wisdom and knowledge of God, and a family needing to come closer to Christ. The Way, the Truth, and the Life, these are specific requests but they can apply to most all of us.  Thank you for hearing our prayers.  We sometimes wonder if you become tired of hearing all of the requests that approach your throne daily.  Thank you, too, for answering every request exactly as you see fit.
    
6. Our youth today are often taught with misleading information or, in some cases, important facts are eliminated from the curriculum.  Teacher, your word tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”, Proverbs 22:6.  Help us as parents, grandparents, teachers, and Sunday School teachers to fill our youth with your Word so they can live a life dedicated to you.
    
7. “At the present time plenty will supply what they need so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need”, 2 Corinthians 8:14.  Have you ever considered that God prospers you, not to raise your standard of living but to raise your standard of giving?  Wonderful Counselor, every one of us has a “wish list” of things we want and we forget that you, too, have a “wish list” that should take precedence over ours.  Open our eyes and our pocketbooks to fulfill your wishes we pray, in Jesus name.
    
8. Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is today and it is for most Jews the holiest day of the year.  It is the day when, “He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God”, Leviticus 16:30.  May all of us, Jews and Gentiles alike, recognize the forgiveness of sins that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Messiah.
    
9. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”, Romans 12:21.  The important question to me is “how can we overcome evil with good”?  The world seems to be under attack by Islam inspired terrorists who “care not a fig” for the life and liberty of others.  My only answer is this: tell them about Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who preaches love not hate.  Father, help me to carry this message.
    
10. Today is Columbus Day when we in the US commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Western Hemisphere. To some this celebration is controversial because many Indians already in this part of the world were wiped out by diseases not known to them before Columbus and his crew arrived and brought them to the “New World”.  Yet, the exploration by Columbus was a daring and remarkable feat.  Creator God, we are thankful for people like Columbus who, because of their faith in you, were willing to risk everything to spread your word and challenge the beliefs, attitudes, and convictions of the status quo.
     
11. “Comfort each other and edify one another”, 1Thessalonians 5:11.  In this busy world, with all its options to be entertained, we often neglect those we classify as “friends”.  Take time today and everyday to communicate with those we love and who love us.  Heavenly Friend, you above all others desire to communicate with us.  Free us from the bonds of “busyness” so that we take time to be a friend.
     
12. “I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure … All was vanity and grasping for the wind”, Ecclesiastes 2:10, 11.  Can you imagine having the time and money to explore every earthly pleasure and coming up empty?  Seems like today’s athletes, movie stars, and entertainers try to do the same thing with the same results.  Messiah, we need to be saved not only from our sins but from our earthly appetites as well.  Thank you for offering that salvation.
     
13. “Take no bribe for a bribe binds the discerning”, Exodus 23:8.  While living in Romania, we found the bribe to be a commonplace thing and functioning in business was often difficult if a bribe was not given.  Yet we managed.  We pray that our failure to give in to that practice was a part of our Christian witness. Chief Cornerstone, forgive us if we have bribed in word or deed and give us strength to avoid a bribe regardless of how tempting it may be.
     
14. “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrite”, Matthew 6:16.  When we do something “godly” like fasting or praying or giving or helping someone out, we want people to know how “godly” we are, don’t we? Well, God wishes us to do those things in secret so that only He knows about it.  Thank you, Lord, for that warning.  We wish to walk closely with you and to diligently seek you, not the praises of men.
     
15. “In Him all things consist”, Colossians 1:17.  Have you ever wondered how all the planets of different sizes and shapes and vastly different distances from the sun continue to revolve around the sun, each at its own speed, some with one or more “moons”, following the same route year after year in apparently the same plane without deviation?  Wonder no more.  Jesus, our Bible tells us You keep everything in order.  Thank you Jesus for being a God of order.
     
16. “For by grace have you been saved through faith, it is the gift of God”, Ephesians 2:8. Have you ever tried to pay someone for a Christmas present?  Of course not.  Then why do we think that we have to pay for the gift of salvation?  Messiah, we all fall into the trap of trying to earn our salvation at times.  Forgive us our folly and encourage us to accept your free gift and, then, tell others about the gift you have for them, too.
     
17. God called Job “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil”, Job 1:8. Job lost everything - his children, his wealth and his health yet, he refused to curse God.  This reflects Job’s character.  Faithful Witness, I want to be like Job, with a character that never flinches regardless of outward circum-stances.  With your help, I can do just that.
     
18. Today the Sunbelt Expo begins in Moultrie, Georgia with Walter Powell leading the FCF tent there.  Tomorrow the National FFA Career Show begins in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dennis Schlagel leads the witness team there. Father of all mankind, we pray today for these two outreaches.  Both are big shows with lots of lost people attending.  Make a way, Waymaker, so that many will find a new life and purpose through our witnessing teams.
     
19. As I compose this Prayer guide, the events of 9/11/01 are still fresh in my mind.  How can anyone be so hate-filled that they will sacrifice themselves so that they can take out others with them?  And, to think that their motives are linked to religious teaching. It reminds me of the verse in John 14:6 “(Jesus said) I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me”.  Jesus, use us as you will to replace a religion of hate to your religion of love.
     
20. Have you got troubles?  Who doesn’t? There is one sure way to get help with your troubles no matter what or how big they are.  Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me (Jesus) all you who labor and are heavy burdened”.  Jesus, thank you for your offer to share and help rid us of our burdens.  Here is my list …
     
21. “I am with you according to your heart”, 1 Samuel 14:7.  That is what Jonathan’s armor-bearer said to Jonathan when he suggested they attack the enemy.  And, that is what we need to say to our pastor and leaders of para-church organizations.  They can only lead if we are willing to follow.  Chief Cornerstone, reveal to us how and where we can get behind our leaders so that they and we can be successful.
     
22. “See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it”, Malachi  3:10.  This verse refers to tithing and addressed the Israelites but also you and me.  Some say that tithing is not spending but investing. God’s returns beat stocks, real estate, gold, even farming.  Author of Our Faith, many of us need our fingers pried open to release our tithes. Help us to see “if you will not throw open the flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing we will not have room enough for it”.
     
23. “The fool says in his heart there is no God”. Psalm 53:1.  Fools say a lot of foolish things but this statement tops them all and is the most costly.  Lion of Judah, we all know “fools”, some even in our own families.  Show us how to help them become “ex-fools” for your honor and glory.
     
24. “Others, like seed sown on good ground, hear the Word, accept it and produce a crop - thirty, sixty, or even 100 times what is sown”, Mark 4:20.  Do you notice here that it is the quality of the soil that determines the yield?  The seed quality (the Word) is the best that there is.  Good Shepherd, we want to sow your seed where it will produce the best results.  Guide us as we do our seed sowing.
     
25. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted”, Luke 18:14.  What exactly does “humbles himself” mean?  Here is one definition - putting the needs of others above our own needs. Son of Man, reveal to me ways in which I can place the interest of others above m own.
     
26. “Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great”, Leviticus 19:15. Boy, that is a hard thing to do. Whenever decisions need to be made concerning people, we are challenged to do the right thing.  Appearance, age, ethnicity, language, body size and shape, family, geography, and many other characteristics bombard us with people decisions.  Lord, help us to get our judgments in line with your judgments.  We don’t want to show any partiality.
     
27. “Oh, that I had the winds of a dove.  I would fly away and be at rest”, Psalm 55:6.  Have you ever felt that way?  That is how King David felt.  Yet, despite every trouble David always returned to his faith in God - an example for you and me.  King of the Jews, may I, like David, never be defeated by life’s challenges but turn to you both in good times and bad.
     
28. “All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: …” Deuteronomy 28:2 -14.  The Lord lists the blessings in store for His people if you “obey the Lord your God”.  The big word is IF.  Lord you made the rules; now we need some (lots) of help to follow them.
     
29. Is it getting a little chilly in your area?  If you want to get away, head for the ECHO Mission Trip to Fort Myers,Florida.  It starts today and goes through November 5th.  Master, there is lots of work to do in Fort Myers and there never seems to be quite enough hands to get it all done.  Be with those who are helping and may it be a productive and rewarding time for each and every person involved.
     
30. “For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul?”, Mark 8:36. This verse is FCFI’s key verse. We who are farmers or run other businesses have as our goal to make a profit. Why else would we work and invest as we do?  Yet, we need to keep a proper perspective.  Beloved, we tend to get so engrossed in our occupation that we neglect our soul and the souls of others as well.  Help us to stay focused every day on you and your purpose for us.
     
31. Halloween. This day has become one of the most celebrated and decorated holidays of the year in the US.  It had its religious beginnings but today it is a secular holiday accompanied by superstitions and non-Christian beliefs.  Author of Our Faith protect all, especially our youth, from ungodly beliefs and allow this to be just a time of fun and community.
 
 
 
Share Your Prayer Items with Others
Continue to send in specific prayer requests either to the FCFI office or to Clark Phillips (email: CSPcows@aol.com) by the 13th or 14th of the month so they can be included in the Prayer Guide for the following month.
 
Urgent Prayer Requests
Can be placed on the website prayer list page at any time, forward urgent, immediate attention prayer needs to Dennis Schlagel (email: fellowship@fcfi.org) at the FCFI office, or send him mail at. Mail: FCFI – PO Box 15 – Lexington,IL61753
FAX: (309) 365-7023 Phone: (309) 365-8710 

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