Prayer Prompt: Pray for the communities of Sheridan County.

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  
Matthew 22:36-39

We’re blessed to live where we do; we live in relatively small communities where we know a lot of the people we’re praying for. But God’s Word tells us that “neighbor” includes a wider distinction than we might think. (Read God’s command to love our neighbors in Leviticus 19:18 and the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 and who He says a neighbor is.) It’s not just the people we know, it’s not just the people in our communities that we like. God’s Word commands us to love all the people He considers to be our neighbors - and this means all.

We can love all the people in the communities of Sheridan and surrounding areas by genuinely seeking what is best for them and praying for them. This doesn’t have to mean that we will always be in agreement with everyone all the time, but it does mean that we look out for what their needs are and try to the best of our ability to meet those needs. We love them the best when we can share God’s love and truth with them. Jesus alone can meet every person’s need perfectly. But we can work on building His Kingdom here on earth by loving well the people He puts in our paths.

Lord, You have placed us in this specific community, at this specific time, for a reason and a purpose. Our church is called to ignite the world for Jesus; may that igniting begin here in Sheridan. Place a burden on our hearts for this county, the town, its leaders, and its citizens. We pray for the protection, well-being, and blessing of everyone here. Give us leaders who will honor You and serve our city well, with integrity and courage as they make decisions that affect Sheridan County and its communities. Give us eyes to see what needs there are, and hearts that desire to fill those needs. Make our church body the hands and feet of Jesus. We pray for the schools in Sheridan County, for the teachers, principals, and students. Give them protection and guidance as they teach our children. You are our Prince of Peace, and we pray for Your presence in the streets and homes of our communities. We lift up the local law enforcement, praying for their safety, wisdom, compassion, and courage as they protect the people of this county. We praise You that we get to live in such an amazing place. Help us to make an impact on the lives of the people here.
In Your Son’s Name, Amen

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