FCFI Prayer Guide – April 2025

1. Returning the third time, He said to them, (His disciples) are you still sleeping
   and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed
   into the hands of sinners, (Mark 14:41). The disciples were asleep and lest
   we feel better than them let us remember the times we have been asleep
   in our devotion to Christ. We Pray to not be insensitive or unprepared for
   Christ’s work. Please pray for Taran, he is high school age and just been
   diagnosed with cancer. Please pray for healing, courage, strength
   and comfort for him and his family and that they may come to know
   Jesus as Savior and Lord.

2. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met
there with His disciples. So, Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment
of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were
carrying torches, lanterns and weapons, (John 18:2,3). The temple guards
were Jews given authority by the religious leaders to make arrests for
minor infractions. The Roman soldiers accompanied them for security.
We pray to use our authority in Christ to further the work and not hinder it. 2-4 Nebraska FFA, Jeff Goss

3. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked the,
who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth, they replied. I am He, Jesus said. Judas
the traitor was standing there with them. When Jesus said, I am He, they drew
back and fell to the ground, (John 18: 4-6). An encounter with Jesus does
not go unmarked in our lives. We fall to our knees in praise or fall back out
of fear or disbelief. We cannot help but react to His power and authority.
We pray to fall toward Jesus and not away from Him. 3-5 south Dakota
State FFA Convention, Brookings, SD, Jeff Goss

4. Now the betrayer, (Judas) arranged a signal with them. The one I kiss is the man.
Arrest Him and Lead Him away under guard. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said
Raggi and kissed Him, (Mark 14:44,45). Traditions says it was a full moon
night. We know the arresting group had some lanterns. All men dressed
similarly and similar in height and build made it difficult to establish who
was who. Judas gave what has been called the kiss of death and Jesus
was arrested. We pray to give the kiss of healing, hope and health. 3-5
Oklahoma City Farm Show, Oklahoma City, OK, Jerry Rice

5. Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials
arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the
father-in-law pf Caiaphas, the high priest that year, (John 18: 12,13). God
had ordained who the High Priests would be but the Romans changed
that and the Jews allowed it to become a position of authority and
wealth, rather than an opportunity to serve and listen to God. Annas was
a former High Priest and had NO authority. It is supposed Jesus was led to
him fi rst so that a quorum of the Sanhedrin could be gathered because
it was well before daybreak. We pray to always be awake and on guard
in our Spirit so we may not betray our Lord and Savior. 4-6 Flowertown
Festival, Summerville, SC, Bill Brown

6. Then Annas sent Him, still bound to Caiaphas the High Priest, (John 18:24).
Jesus had six trials that night and early morning. Each one is a mockery of
injustice. First to Annas, Caiaphas, Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod and lastly back
to Pilate again. None of them but the Jewish leaders could find anything
against Jesus. Plainly the Jews wanted His influence removed. We pray for
Spiritual guidance in all matters and pray to listen to God’s Word rather than
mans. Please pray for our hearts to prepare for the upcoming Easter
season…a perfect opportunity to share the love of Jesus.

7. Peter replied, (for the third time) Man I don’t know what you’re talking about! Just as he was speaking the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked
straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to
him: Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. And he
went outside and wept bitterly, (Luke 22:60-62). This experience changed
Peter’s life dramatically. He had been cocky and self- assured but half -hearted disciple. Now, after failure, he became a repentant disciple.
Finally, he became God assured, the kind of person Christ could use
to build His church. We pray to use every opportunity to help us grow
spiritually…especially our failures. Please pray for our farmers as
they begin the new crop year of 2025. Pray for safety, wisdom, and commodity prices to increase.

8. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence
against Jesus so they could put Him to death. But they did not find any,
though many false witnesses came forward, (Matthew 26:59-60). The very
people who should have been praising Jesus as the Son of God were
looking for ways to condemn Him. Please pray for Phyliss’s family. She passed after a long hard-fought battle with breast cancer. She was a
fellow co-worker and friend.

9. Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. But I say to all of you, in the future you will
see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming
on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, He has
spoken blasphemy! What do you think? He is worthy of death, they answered,
(Matthew 26: 63-65). The Romans allowed the Sanhedrin to make decisions
over religious disputes, but a death sentence had to be approved by the
Romans. We pray not to blame Jesus when things don’t go the way we have
planned. 9-12 Wyoming FFA, Cheyenne, WY, Mike Weaver

10. Early in the morning all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound Him, led Him away and handed Him
over to Pilate, the governor, (Matthew 27:1-2). Pilate was not popular, but the
Jews had no choice if they wanted Him dead, He had to go before the Roman
governor of the region. We pray to look for Life and not death in deciding
who Jesus is to us. Please pray for Alice’s family. She battled Dementia in
the end. She leaves a close- knit family that mourns their loss.

11. When Judas, who had betrayed Him (Jesus), saw that Jesus was condemned,
he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief
priests and the elders. I have sinned, he said, for I have betrayed innocent
blood. So, Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went
away and hanged himself, (Matthew 27:3,5). Judas changed his mind
but the religious leaders’ hatred for Jesus was more important to them
than helping Judas find forgiveness. We pray to have a forgiving heart.
Please pray for our country with all the changes going on and all the
emotions running rampant.

12. Upon hearing this (that Jesus started in Galilee), Pilate asked if the man was a
Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent
Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time, (Luke 23:6-7). Herod
was greatly pleased. He hoped to see Jesus perform some miracle. He
asked Jesus many questions but when Jesus wouldn’t answer him, Herod
sent Jesus back to Pilate. We pray to worship Jesus for who He is and not
for what He can do for us. Please pray for our senior community, many
are feeling anxious right now.

13. Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers of the people, and said to them, you brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to
rebellion. I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for
your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us, as
you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish
Him and then release Him, (Luke 23:13-17). Pilate knew Jesus was innocent
and that the Jewish leaders were jealous of Him. He tried three different
times to let Jesus go free. But the leaders had incited a riot. The very
people who praised Jesus as King just a few days before now condemned Him for proclaiming to be that very King. Crucify Him they shouted till
Pilate gave in. We pray to keep our eyes upon Jesus and not the crowd
around us. Palm Sunday!!! Lift a song of praise!!

14. When Pilot saw that he was getting nowhere, but instead an uproar was
starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. I am
innocent of the man’s blood, he said. It is your responsibility. All the people
answered, let His blood be on us and our children. Then Pilot released
Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be
crucified, (Matthew 27:24). Pilot thought Jesus was on trial but really Pilot
himself was the one on trial, as well as the people and so are we all. We
pray to know it costs little to know about Jesus but cost our lives to follow
Him. 13-15 Iowa State FFA Convention, Ames, IA, Jeff Goss

15. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which
means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus’ wine to drink, mixed
with gall, but after tasting it, He refused to drink it. When they had nailed Him
to the cross, they divided his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down they
kept watching over Him there, (Matthew 27:32-36). Jesus had been beaten,
mocked, spit on and up all night. His physical body was weak. Simon was
probably one of the thousands of Jews in Jerusalem because of the Passover
celebration. To the soldiers this was just another crucifixion, except that
Jesus’ garment was made of one piece and they didn’t want to rip it apart,
so they played a game to see who would win the most precious garment in
the world. We pray to see the cross as a place of life after we die to ourselves.
15-16 Syracuse Gun Show, Syracuse, NY, Bill Brown

16. Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. One of the criminals who hung there, hurled insults at Him, Aren’t (if) you the
Christ? Save yourself and us! But the other criminal rebuked him. Don’t you
fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence. We are punished
justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done
nothing wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when You come into Your
kingdom. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me
in paradise, (Luke 23:32,39-43). Jesus had rebuked James and John for
wanting to be next to Him in His kingdom. Here the two dying criminals
teach us the way to the kingdom is by way of the cross. We pray to
continually die to ourselves and live for Christ! Please pray for FCFI to be
opened to many more venues and for workers to spread the Gospel
in many places.

17. It was now about the sixth hour (12 noon), and darkness came over the whole
land until the ninth hour (3P.M.), because the sun stopped shining. And the
curtain of the temple was torn from the tops to the bottom. Jesus called
out in a loud voice, Father into Your hands I commit My spirit. When He had
said this, He breathed His last, (Luke 23:44-46). Jesus forgave His enemies,
forgave a sinner, took care of His mother and GAVE up His life. He died. He was not unconscious. He had not passed out. He was dead. The Roman
soldiers thrust a spear in His side to be sure. Everyone around Him knew
Jesus’ death meant something significant had happened. We pray for the
world to see Jesus in our lives. Susquehanna County Farm and Home
Day Show, Doc Devoe

18. Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph
was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s
permission, he took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the
man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture
of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus body, the two
of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance
with the Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there
was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been
laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation (the day before the Sabbath
which began at Sundown on Friday. A person could only walk a limited number
of steps on the Sabbath.) and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there,
(John 19:38-42). Joseph went boldly to Pilate. His love for Jesus overcame
his fear of the Jews. We pray to know we can’t be neutral like Pilate tried, or
secretive like Joseph tried. We pray for a crazy, bold love to shine through
us. Good Friday! Please pray for our pastors and those involved in
spreading the Gospel. Pray that many will have an opportunity to
reach people this Easter season.

19. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and
saw the tomb and how His body was laid in it. Then they went home and
prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience
to the commandment, (Luke 23:55-56). God used many women in the
Old Testament to further His kingdom work. Jesus honored women in
the New Testament. Some of the women He had healed and other who
believed Him to be the Messiah followed Him and His disciples and took
care of them. They had witnessed the whole day and had to be worn out
physically and emotionally. Say prayer of praise! 18-19 Ocean City Home,
Condo, Outdoor Arts and Craft Show, Michael Steele. 19 Mohawk
Valley Chapter, Dinner Meeting, Marcy, NY, Bill Brown

20. And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’
body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on
their way to the tomb and they asked each other, Who will roll the stone away
from the tomb. But when they looked, they saw that the stone, which was
very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young
man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side and they were alarmed.
Don’t be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has risen!!! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. Go
tell His disciples and Peter, (Mark 16:1-7). The women did what they could.
They stayed at the cross, followed Jesus’ body to the tomb, and prepared spices for His body. God blessed their diligence and devotion by letting
them be the first to witness the resurrection. We pray to take advantage
of the opportunities we have and do what we can for Christ, instead of
worrying about what we cannot do. Easter Sunday!!!! Please pray for
the Salvation of many through the sharing of the Jesus Sticks.

21. Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven
and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (Philippians 2:9-11). The thought of
the most shameful death for the only sinless man humbles us to bow in
adoration! We pray to bow in faith rather to bow later in condemnation. 21
23 Arkansas FFA, Hot Springs Convention Center, Mike Weaver

22. We (disciples) proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all
wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I
(Paul) labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me,
(Colossians 1:28-29). Salvation is available to all through faith in Christ.
As Christ works in us, we tell others about Him. Through the Holy Spirit,
He strengthens us for His service. We pray to spread the Good News
of Salvation. Please pray for our college students…many are at a
crossroads in their lives and need God’s guidance and wisdom.

23. For now, we really live, since you are standing fi rm in the Lord. How can we
thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of
our God because of you, (1Thessalonians 3:8-9). We love to hear stories of
people standing strong in their faith. It encourages us and inspires others
to stand up and stand out. We pray to be counted in those that stand
strong. 23-26 Georgia FFA Convention, Macon Centreplex, Macon,
GA, Dennis Schlagel

24. On the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed
our testimony to you, (2Thessalonians 1:10). A great day is coming! We
will see Jesus as He is and because we have believed by faith in Him, we
will both be glorified. We pray that our faith will be glorified as Christ is
glorified. Please pray for Ruby. She was put on steroids for swelling in
her arm and hand and they made her body crash, and she is now in need of rehab before going home from hospital.

25. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory
for ever and ever. Amen, (1 Timothy 1:17). AMEN!!! We lifted a shout of
praise. Missouri FFA Convention, Columbia, Missouri, Jeff Goss

26. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the
dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge,
(2 Timothy 4:1). If we are Believers, we have a charge to share the Word
of God. We pray to be diligent in spreading the Gospel. Bloomsburg
Renaissance Jamboree, Bloomsburg, PA, Ernie.

27. If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the
basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another
priest to come, on in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron, (Hebrews
7:11). Christ’s sacrifice was offered once and it offers total and permanent
forgiveness. He is the New Covenant which canceled the Levitical priesthood
with Christ as our high priest. We pray to embrace the new covenant of Christ.
Please pray for those with chronic, long-term disabilities after living a
good strong life…pray for grace for their situations.

28. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend, (James
2:23). True faith always results in deeds. We pray not to sit and sour in our
salvation. 28-29 Minnesota FFA Convention, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, Minnesota

29. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example.
That you should follow in His steps, (1Peter 2:21). Christ as our example never
sinned, yet He suffered. Suffering isn’t easy but it is especially hard when we
suffer unrightfully. We pray to use our example of Christ when persecution
comes. Please pray for a young man who has been an addict for most
of his life. He got clean and stayed that way for 2 years and gave his life
to Christ. A bad relationship break-up and he has chosen to go back to
addiction…him and millions of others.

30. But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s Word the heavens existed,
and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also
the world of that time was deluged and destroyed, (2 Peter3:5-6). In the
Beginning was the Word. God formed the earth and later in Noah’s day
judged His people with waters in a flood. We pray not no forget the
truths of God’s Word. Please pray for Stacy. He is a good, kind soul
but struggles with alcohol…which makes him mean, surly and not
pleasant to be in a relationship with.