KEY ISSUES: Facing our County

"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 NLT"

Want to see God move? Pray for one issue each day on the major problems our county faces in these unique times we live. Check out the topics and podcasts below. Feel free to type your prayer in the comment section. Look at what others shared and build off of those prayers or thoughts. We just ask for you to be respectful in your comments. Anything that is offensive will be deleted.

Ministry Groups

• MINISTERS: Prayer points - families, less criticism more intercession, financial blessings, new vision, awakening, revival, encouragement, keep going, Heb. 13:17-18; Acts 20:28; Jer. 3:15 | PODCAST

• SUPPORT STAFF - Prayer points: get along, unified, work with joy, do with excellence, be supportive of leaders, do as unto the Lord, creative, given by God, be a servant heart, appreciated and blessed in endeavors | PODCAST

• RECOVERY GROUPS: Prayer points - the one in recovery, the friends/family of the one recovering; the people ministering to the recovering; PODCAST

• CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS: Prayer points: the students, the teachers, the administration, the parents; use this prayer guide | PODCAST

• CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES: Prayer points - accountability to churches, promote churches do not tear them down, manage money wisely & ethically, promote the gospel, be an extension of the church not a silo; 9 Marks Healthy | PODCAST

• CHURCHES/BUILDINGS: Prayer points - house of prayer; when people drive by they see something that draws them; used throughout the week; get creative how and what; community groups or Christian ministries rent rooms; believers live out the Gospel in their words and actions. Is. 56:7; Acts 2:42; Mark 11:15-17 | PODCAST

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People Groups

• AMERICAN INDIANS: [AKA Indigenous or First Nationals]; Prayer points: violence against the women; poverty, homelessness, overcrowded homes, low grad rates, health issues of obesity, substance abuse, Christian Missions reach with gospel; 4 tribes represented Chemehuevi, Mojave, Colorado River, Mission; PODCAST

• HOMELESS: Prayer points: government and churches find ways to help house; ministries specialize in this target group; women esp. find shelter, protection from violence, kidnapping, health issues, find ways to re-enter society & be free, young would have shelters | PODCAST

• DISABLED: Prayer points: challenges of work, fitting in, not being ostracized, costs financially & physically these people face; for the caregivers, access to places, to feel wanted, agencies that work with them kind & supportive, valued, wanted, Luke 14:12-14; Ps. 139:14; Is. 49:16; Christian ministries | PODCAST

• CITY COUNCIL: Prayer points: City leaders prayers; go to your city scroll down to the city council, click on the link and pray for them by name; see their faces, mayor or city manager, administration, decisions ethical, helpful, budget wise | PODCAST

• SBC Supervisors: Prayer points: these 5 board supervisors oversee 150 boards/committees, unity, not distracted, any person with evil intentions stopped, vote that would help our county be successful economically, environmentally and spiritually, ethical decisions, handle moneys wisely | PODCAST

• Judges/Courts/Attorneys: Prayer points: about current bills Action Alerts (realimpact.us); Jason Anderson SBC DA; current cases ; 4 courts in Joshua Tree, Victorville, Rancho Cucamonga & San Bernardino; 2 juvenile courts | PODCAST

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Economic Issues

• GAS $ vs. GOD $: Prayer points: AAA Gas Prices link; open oil options in America; decrease gas $; turn complain/pain into prayer/faith in God to change; pray for Ukraine/Russia; PRAY AT THE PUMP movement; CA gas tax decrease; fill mind with God's word Prov. 21:20; Is. 60:1-22; 1 Thess 5:1-28; Phil. 4:1-23 | PODCAST

• JOBS v LABORERS: Prayer points: SBC Workforce Development Board; employers find ways to attract hires; people find satisfaction in earning wages; unemployment helps needy; stops fraudulent; laborers for harvest; | PODCAST

• Mar 30th - POOR IN $ v IN SPIRIT: Prayer points: Give to the poor, decrease poverty in 17 cities >20% Muscoy, Adelanto, Barstow, Lenwood, Searles, Homestead & Lucerne Valleys, San Bernardino, Needles, Victorville, 29 Palms, Hesperia, Big River, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Highland, Mt. View Acres; increase poor in Spirit | PODCAST

• INFLATION v PROVISION: Prayer points - supply chain issues improve, fertilizer available for farmers; Ukraine/Russia war ends; focus more on praying, preparing and the provision of our Heavenly Father; Phil. 4:19; Heb. 13:5; 2 Cor. 9:8; Matt. 6:26-32 | PODCAST

• BUSINESS v GOD'S BUSINESS: Prayer Points - post pandemic, closures, revenue, supplies, esp. small businesses, retail, restaurants; pray and fulfill God's business Matt. 28:18-20 | PODCAST

• RESOURCES v HIS SOURCES: Prayer points: major companies, renewable energy SBC provides contrast with God's resources | PODCAST

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Health Issues

• OBESITY: Prayer Points: epidemic decreases in students & adults, churches involved; accountability; statistics in adults & students; SBC trails; exercise initiatives; nutrition options; Romans 12:1-2 | PODCAST

• SUICIDE: Prayer points: SBC suicide decreases, including in traffic, prevention & intervention, churches involvement, inform calling 988 routes to Suicide Prevention also text 741741 & 1-800-273-255; more teaching on being valued by God; people notice signs of suicide | PODCAST

• STDs: Prayer points: cases decrease; abstinence taught again in schools & churches & youth groups & even older children's church; families share; social media Ps. 101:3, educate no cure; how to respond as a Christian| PODCAST

• MENTAL HEALTH - 1 Iin 5 adults; Prayer Points: balanced view of as Christians, Gospel would help those stuck; some need deliverance; others support/counseling; Christian Response article; church involvement | PODCAST

• STRESS/SABBATH: Prayer Points: NIH on Stress & Pastor's view on Sabbath: some health issues would decrease as people honor 4th commandment; one day of rest & honoring God; REST would decrease STRESS | PODCAST

• VIRUSES/PREVENTION: Prayer points: Recent Covid Stats; recovery to those who have it; we learn from the "plague" experience, 2 Chron. 7:13-14; praise God for 99% recovered; we prevent future ones by prayer/repentance | PODCAST

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Crime Focus

• GANGS: Locations | SBC Indicators | Prayer for children | Prayer for Violence | Prayer Points: Verdugo, Crips, Bloods, Mexican Mafia gangs: decrease of crime & membership; division among them; laborers to minister; transformed; chains broken | PODCAST

• FENTANYL/DRUGS: Fentanyl Facts | Prayers for deliverance | Highland News Fentanyl Report; Prayer Points: decrease in prescribers, makers, dealers, takers, over-dosers, movers across borders, families affected, narcotics units; increased education & training; Bills pass. Verses to help: 1 Pet. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:16; 1 Cor. 6:12: PODCAST

• RECENT CRIMES: SBC crime grade is D; many crimes increased. Prayer points: decreased crime, drug related crimes, vandalism, homicide, theft, burglary, auto theft. When hearing about a crime; commit to pray. | PODCAST

• LAW ENFORCEMENT: Local & County | Crime Mapping | Prayer Points: Police Departments, CA Highway Patrol, Sheriff units, Divisions & Programs, discernment, protection, safety, relationships w/family, co-workers, respect for them by citizens, hope, encouragement, emotional safety, salvation. | PODCAST

• TASK FORCES: Under Gang/Narcotic division; prayer points: 11 task forces with specific responsibilities [see link]; operation hammerstrike successful seizing and stopping illegal cannabis. | PODCAST

• PRISONS/WORKERS: Prayer points: Before they get incarcerated, while they are incarcerated, when they get out & able to become healthy citizens [not return nor repeat crimes]; more prison ministries & support for staff who work for them less burnout & counseling; revival in prisons; lives transformed | PODCAST

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Environment Focus

• EARTHQUAKES: SBC very high earthquake risk, over 13K earthquakes since 1931. USGS states a 99.60% chance of major earthquake in < 50 years. Most recent largest earthquake affecting SBC 6.4 & 7.1 in 2019. Risk Level: Very High. Earthquake Tracker | USGS | Earthquake Prepare Guide | PODCAST

• DROUGHT: Drought monitor for SBC; 5 levels of severity; 100% abnormally dry & in moderate drought; 53% in severe drought; 67% water supply below normal; 20% below precipitation; 9K hay; 4K haylage; 56K cattle; 1K sheep; in DROUGHT mode by USDA; outlook drought persists; illegal cannabis growers take water; people involved; PODCAST

• FIRES: CalFire incidents tracker; 7 fires last year [1 damaged 18 structures]; SBC Fire Dept had over 88K calls for structural, vegetation, vehicle and other types of fires since 7/1/21 to 2/28/22. Prayer points: those who start fires; lightning; fire fighters who are local, rangers & with CalFire; no structural damage nor harm to life. PODCAST

• AIR QUALITY & WINDS: Air Quality Tracker: Prayer Points: Decrease the numbers in Report which includes: Ozone; PM2.5; Diesel Matter; Drinking Water Contaminants; Children's lead risk from house; pesticide use; toxic releases from facilities; traffic impacts; cleanup sites; groundwater threats; hazardous waste; impaired waters; solid waste sites affect the health of the residents; prevention of wind damage. Wind Erosion Map | PODCAST

• TRAFFIC IMPACT: Affects our air quality, driving & health. Comes from debris on streets, damage from flooding, winds, rain, snow, landslides, earthquakes, fires, weight of traffic, age. Prayer points: speed signs, highway conditions, road rage, younger drivers; contact politicians; laws change, respect for roads, claiming roads for the Lord. PODCAST

• SNOW/RAIN/FLOODS/LANDSLIDES: Flood Map | Landslide Map | Rainfall | Avg. Snowfall 9 inches; rainfall 15.4 inches. Prayer Points: more snowfall & rainfall to fill reservoirs, lakes, dams, water supply tanks, preparation & prevention & information about floods, landslides, people involved with decision making, planning and implementation. PODCAST

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Military Focus

• ARMY: San Bernardino County houses several military training and strategic bases that cover 3/5 branches: Army, Marine, Air Force and the National Guard. In the midst of this Ukrainian/Russia invasion, all military personnel will be on alert. Pray for the Army and the Ft. Irwin National Training Center. Prayer Points: each of the divisions that serve at the base; Army personnel, commanding leaders, strategic responses, military wives and families, contractors, civilians working on base, war in Ukraine, cyber strategies, able to plan logistics with least casualties, chaplains. PODCAST. Check out the Ft. Irwin page for more information.

• MARINES; There are two bases in SBC Marine Air Ground Task Force Training & Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms and Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow. Prayer Points: deployment; chaplains; preparations; protection; families & extended; civilian; air/ground strike logistics; cyberattack protection, continued prayer for Ukraine invasion, China/Taiwan, North Korea/US, Iran/Israel, internal threats. PODCAST. Check out the Twentynine Palms page.

• AIR FORCE [Coast Guard & Navy]: 1st Woman Officer for Navy AVO from Rancho Cucamonga: AF sent to Romania Prayer Points: same as above plus effects on bases if a crisis escalates; Edwards AF Base; strategies for air & space; safety. PODCAST. Check out the page about Edwards Air Force Base | AF Planes in Belarus, Ukraine

• NATIONAL GUARD & VETERANS: National Training Center for Army & Reserves National Guard | SBC Veteran Affairs | Prayer Points: Proper use of National Guard not against their own; Scotus healthy decisions; Veterans; recognition, appreciation, help in work, health, families, able to re-enter civilian life well & whole; support for both from churches and believers. PODCAST

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