CAMDEN — By BRADLY GILL
Staff writer
Today is the 10th day of 40 Days of Prayer for Camden and Ouachita County.
Today’s topic is: “Christian Marriage.”
The associated scripture will be: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the Church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV)
The observation is:
“Christian marriage is more than an affirmation of heterosexual relationships. Christian marriage is more than an affirmation of faithful heterosexual relationships. Each Christian marriage is meant to be a living parable of the love relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church.”
The suggested prayer is:
“Father in heaven, thank You for making us male and female. Thank you for creating us with the ability to bond and to become one flesh with our mate. Thank you for the strong affections that enable us to love one another deeply and to commit to one another fully. Thank you for your son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, whose blood provides forgiveness for our mistakes. Thank you for your living word that reveals your good design for marriage and family. Thank you for your indwelling Spirit, who empowers us to overcome the temptation to follow the world’s ways which end in confusion, heartache and destruction. Give us hearts that flee from sexual immorality. Keep us from adultery, O Lord. Knit our hearts together in love with yours and with our mates. Give us a fiery passion to protect and nurture our marriages and families. Let us be wives who submit to our husbands as the church submits to Christ. Let us be husbands who love our wives and give ourselves completely for them as Christ loves the Church. Let the mystery of Christ be evident in our marriages, O Lord, for your glory and honor because you are worthy!”
The gathering place was at noon at Elliot Baptist Church located at 4189 Arkansas 367.
Wednesday’s topic will be:
"Those Who Mourn."
The associated scripture will be:
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35 NIV)
The observation will be:
"We remember those who are preparing to face a series of holidays for the first time without a loved one."
The suggested prayer is:
"Father, we pray for those in our community who have suffered the loss of a loved one this year. To say goodbye to a spouse, parent, sibling, or a child is a heartbreaking experience. As these families prepare for the holidays, we pray a special measure of love, peace, and comfort. Help us to be a source of encouragement in their time of heartache and need."
The gathering place will be at noon at Whitest Chapel located at 1032 Cook Street.