The ministry was started by the women’s group of their church as a way to help and support local businesses.
“Recognizing that God is at work in Okeechobee, we want to thank Him and praise Him for the ways in which He blesses the community through the work of so many people, and to pray that God will continue to shower His favor and His saving grace on our community,” explained one of the leaders.
Church members are asked to suggest businesses that would allow this in their parking lots.
“Our plan is to gather, each week, a group of church members to pray in various locations, for specific businesses, departments, schools, medical providers, etc. No one would have to be there every week, but each week we need members willing to participate,” she said. “Each Sunday, either immediately after church and family connect, we will meet in the parking lot of our target facility and PRAY! Think of all of the ways you have been blessed through your banker, your primary physician, a salesperson, etc. We want you as members of our church to suggest places where we could pray for our community in a specific way,”
The ministry has been active for several months now, and the group has given prayer support to many different businesses such as Brown Cow Sweetery, Serenity Coffee Shop, Big Lake Baptist Association and Open Hands Health Center. They also prayed outside the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, The Okeechobee city Police Department, the county library and at the Historic Courthouse, where they prayed for all the elected officials in Okeechobee.
Each business is given the opportunity to write down specific prayer needs, which can be anonymous or not. Prior to the day the business is scheduled to be prayed over, one of the group leaders types up the prayer needs and finds Bible verses that cover that sort of situation. For example, if the person asks for prayer for healing, the Bible verse might be Jeremiah 33:6 “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” A request involving fear might call for Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you forever.”
When they prayed for the elected officials, they prayed for the well-being of the men and women who serve. They prayed they would rule well and most of all, they prayed for the salvation of these officials, she added.
They visited Lake Okeechobee News offices recently and used the mission statement of the paper as a prayer guide.
“Pray that the “Okeechobee News” maintains a commitment to TRUTH as defined by the Word of God.
‘MISSION: We attempt to publish purposeful newspapers that encourage and support meaningful community involvement, and that provide citizens with the knowledge and participation they need to make rational decisions about public issues. We serve our community by reporting the news with purposeful neutrality, promoting community participation, and honoring the accomplishments of volunteers.’
2 Timothy 2:15 – ‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.’
Ephesians 5:9-11 – ‘For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them.’
Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
The group tries to be discreet and stay out of the way of anyone going in or out of the businesses. Most of the visits have been made when the places are closed, but they are willing to go when the business is open if they have permission.
When asked what the ultimate goal for the ministry was, she said, “We pray that through this initiative, as a church, the Lord will give us opportunities to share our love of God, to share His Gospel, and to share Jesus with Okeechobee!”
If you would like them to pray for your business or your doctor, etc., you can find Everglades Baptist Church on Facebook.
If you would like to visit Everglades Baptist Church, they meet each Sunday on their church property, across the street from Everglades Elementary School's bus loop at 8:30 a.m.
