The dates have been set and the topics selected for the sixth annual 40 Days of Prayer.
The community-wide event kicks off Oct. 1 and residents in El Dorado and Union County who are interested in participating are invited to do so.
Event coordinators laid out the details for 40 Days 2020 during an organizational meeting Tuesday in the Council Chamber of City Hall.
Approximately 20 clergypersons, civic and community leaders and residents attended the meeting and many quickly snapped up available slots for daily prayer topics.
El Dorado City Council Member Judy Ward introduced the idea of 40 Days of Prayer in El Dorado in 2015 to unite the community and use the power of prayer to help stop violence.
Ward said she took the idea from a similar event that reportedly garnered positive results in helping to lower crime and improve the quality of life for residents in Peoria, Illinois.
Over the years, the local event has grown and expanded to cover a wide range of topical issues, including poverty, addiction, safety in schools, first responders, etc. — all which are meted out daily during the 40-day period.
Major events that are affecting the country this year, including the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the ongoing fight for social and racial justice and the upcoming General Election, have been added to lineup of prayer topics for 40 Days 2020.
Prayer topics are disseminated to the public via social media, area churches and other media outlets, including the News-Times.
The topics are supported by observations, Biblical scriptures and prayers that are penned by volunteers.
“We have the topics for each day. Different ones signed up to take the time to write the observations, scriptures and prayers,” Ward said. “And we have a very diverse group of people writing so there are variety of different topics.”
Ward said more details are forthcoming about 40 Days 2020.
The event typically kicks off at noon with a community-wide prayer meeting/circle that draws dozens of participants to the atrium of City Hall.
With COVID-19 health and safety guidelines still in effect, organizers have discussed other potential locations, including some outdoor venues, to host the gathering on Oct. 1.
“We will move it someplace else because of the pandemic. It will depend on the weather but it’s going to be somewhere where everybody in town is invited, so that many people, not just ministers, but people in town that are interested can come,” Ward said.
The annual Prayer Walk has been set for Nov. 4, the day after the General Election.
Ward said the walk will follow the same route, starting at the El Dorado Police Department, moving to City Hall/Central Fire Station, then across the street to the El Dorado School District administration and ending at the Union County Courthouse for fellowship.
Prayer leaders will guide the prayers at each station.
Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer, a self-proclaimed “prayer warrior”, volunteered to lead the prayer during the stop at City Hall.
“These are the same places we’ve always stopped. We’ve kind of found what works well and it’s the same. We usually get some many people who come out for that,” Ward said.
For more information, visit the 40 Days’ website at https://eldorado40.com/.
Organizers said the website will be updated.