I grew up between two beautiful countries...
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FREEDOM PRAYERS

I am a second-generation American — with strong cultural ties to Mexico. I grew up between two beautiful countries: celebrating Fourth of Julys in San Antonio, Texas, and Mexican Independence Day fiestas in September.

 

Isn’t it fascinating how so many nations celebrate freedom with big, joy-filled parties?

I love my country — and I pray for her every day. I pray she becomes a beacon of truth, a river flowing with justice and righteousness. Ultimately, I long for the kingdom of God to cover every inch of her land and beyond.

 

As we celebrate our independence, may we also remember the greater freedom we’ve been given: freedom from sin and death through Jesus Christ. As Americans, we enjoy freedoms protected by our Constitution. But as followers of Jesus, we rejoice in a deeper, eternal freedom that no government could ever give.

 

We have been set free — not to serve ourselves, but to use our freedom to serve one another in love.

 

Prayer:


Lord, thank You for the gift of freedom — both as citizens of this nation and as citizens of Your kingdom. Help us not to take either for granted. Shape our hearts to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. May our lives reflect the true freedom that comes from Christ — a freedom that liberates us to love, to forgive, to build, and to bless. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth — and in this nation — as it is in heaven.
Amen.

 
-Pastor Joel

Join our weekly Thursday 7:30-8:00 AM Zoom prayer call. 

 

PASTORAL PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. For our Country | Truly pray for our country, let's pray more for her well-being. Interestingly enough, our Sanctuary was dedicated in the 70's on July 4th. Pray for that double freedom we enjoy, as Americans, and more importantly, as believers.
  2. VBS | Our Vacation Bible School is currently taking registration for children ages 4-5th grade for July 17, 9:00am - July 19, 2025 3:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in their faith. Visit THIS LINK for more info and join us in praying for a fruitful time!
  3. Indonesia Mission Team | In two months, Pastors Larry & Joel will be traveling back to the jungles of Indonesia on the Island of Kalimantan. After more than 7 years without a missionary team visit, we are excited to return and seek to push the multiplication of churches forward!

 ALL CHURCH PRAYER REQUEST

  1. Jacqueline Quasny | Please pray for my husband Glen's health. He had major surgery on his spine last Monday and he keeps spiking a fever.

  2. Jackie Hernandez | My prayer requests are for help praying for our book club groups and for my daughter Grace's health please.

  3. Katherine Morgan-Brown | Please pray for Bendetta who's been diagnosed with stage four kidney failure.

  4. Adriana Castillo | I pray to find a job. To find my next employment opportunity with great leaders with integrity, mission and purpose. A company that will value my worth.

  5. Marilyn Fouts | We are selling our house and moving out of state. Pray everything goes smoothly and as it should.

  6. Pauline Giel | Pray for my daughter "Chastity" she will have her last chemo treatment this week and good cells may be protected.

  7. Panya Krich | I have 2 prayer requests: 1. My brother Boonmee was in an ATV accident on Friday night and is admitted to the ICU. My family is here in Canada visiting when this all happened. Praying for his recovery and salvation. 2. For my dad who is a Buddhist monk and left for Laos for 3 months. He's worried about my brother as he's far away. Also, for his salvation!

  8. Angelica Guerreo | Please pray for me. I've not been well emotionally. I have been holding a lot of anger and resentment toward my husband.

  9. Liz Reyes | Just getting old and need some physical strength. I know I need to go to church more not just Sundays. Pray God gives me strength-- spiritual strength as well as physical strength.

  10. Austen Pratt | Hi prayer team, my girlfriend Briana Martinez just had their close neighbor commit suicide. If the church can shout out prayer to the family on Sunday. She's torn up and has to work tomorrow but she will be watching the service. His name is Leo. He leaves behind a wife named Patty and two kids.

  11. Celeste Gardiner | Please pray for my daughter and son-in-law to find a bigger apartment or back house and get moved in before the baby comes.

  12. Bridget Hughes | My friend Daphne just had a stroke and is in the hospital right now. Please pray for her.

  13. Luisa Fernandez | Pray for David's recovery, 17-year-old who had surgery yesterday to straighten his spinal column. It was successful. Praise God. Also praise God my outpatient procedure was great, no pain or discomfort.

  14. Nicky Kelly | Tony - God's peace, strength & guidance in his extremely difficult living situation with Carrie, while protecting/caring for his 2 little girls and working from home. Also pray for his financial situation and job security.

  15. Destiny Lucas | Prayers of surrendering and courage of next chapter. Pray for those suffering or needing assistance - for a helping hand when no one notices.

  16. Rona Hodges | I have a pinched nerve in my back. Please pray that God will take the pain away.

  17. Reginald Van Appelen | Jeremiah- pray for his decision for self-improvement and his battle with trauma.
    Javon- may he be put in God's hands.
    Don- pray for his chronic knee and joint pain.
    Jodi- pray for her chronic hip pain and pending surgery consultation.
    Pray that the men in my group become Faithful Available & Teachable and that my teaching comes from God's direction.

  18. Crystal Mulinix | Please pray for my partner Chuey as he starts a new journey, for me to keep my faith strong no matter the circumstances and to open doors. Pray for my aunt Charlotte whose kidneys are failing, and for my children to always remember that God is with them and to call on him.

  19. Suszan Smith | Pray the Lord God blesses me, James's health and mind to remember things. Pray there will be no more fear, anger confusion.

  20. Bud Antisdel | Peace and safety in our country.

  21. Al Bacani | Please pray for my daughter who is making a major decision in her life regarding her living in Japan and getting her masters.

  22. Joji Silo | Please pray for the coming mission Free Methodist Philippines mission trip. JOB pastors were invited to attend. Travel mercy to all volunteers and a covering as they minister to the province of Cagayan!

  23. Sam Tomasello | Pray for me to stay healthy as I am fasting and dieting to lose 30 lbs. so I can get my knees replaced. In a glorious name of Jesus.

  24. Andi Artukovich | Please pray for my 15-year-old granddaughter, Iris. She had to move to Las Vegas recently to live with her mom and is not doing well emotionally. She is very sad and in fact said to her mom that she wanted to kill herself. She finally made good friends here at Lakewood High School and then had to move just before the end of the school year. Please pray that the Holy Spirit move in her heart, mind and soul and to also give her mom and me wisdom to say and do what is perfect to help her through this, in Jesus’ name.

  25. Jacqueline Quasny | Glen is home now [after surgery] and in a lot of pain, even with heavy meds. So please pray now for relief from pain. He is not a believer, but I'm hoping he will see the power of prayer, and that God will make Himself known to him through that.

  26. Yasmine Gonzales | Please pray for my beloved father, Luis Gonzalez, who I lost him June 21 @1:24am. He leaves my mom all alone-- lifelong domestic partner. What can I say, I didn't expect to have him go; I wasn't ready.

  27. Shirley Knull | I need prayers for my health consisting of migraines from so many head injuries, possible breast cancer, large hernia, Type 2 Diabetes, diabetes eyes and Mac cola Degeneration. I'm 75 years and am raising my oldest great grandson who is 15 years old right now. Also, pray for our home; we had a fire 3 years ago and the contractors have not finished the house and damage and loss I still haven't been paid so I can replace those items.

  28. Ashlee Bennett | Please. My sister is going into surgery July 14th and asking prayer warriors to intercede that the doctors will be led by the Holy Spirit, angels are present and covering her and that it's a successful surgery and we are praying against chemotherapy. Pray that what they see before they don’t see any more. In Jesus mighty name amen.

  29. Danelle Plunkett | I will be having a bilateral knee replacement on July 25.

  30. Lauren Shaw | My biggest prayer is to hear The Lord's Voice Audibly. Also, for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, & discernment. All big prayers.

  31. Natalie Rueda | Please pray for me as I return to the ER in LA and that I will learn everything I need to learn well. Also, that I would get rest and that my relationship with the Lord would grow.

  32. Briana Martinez | My neighbor took his own life yesterday so please pray for him and his family that they find some comfort in this unfortunate situation.

  33. Christina Schiavon| My husband and I just bought a house, and we are overwhelmed with moving. Please pray for peace and organization and my daughter is not talking to me and is keeping my grandson from me please pray for us.

  34. Chenel Lee  | I just submitted my PK-3rd credential, & I'm waiting for my admission status so I been a little bit anxious, so prayers that God can calm down my nerves!

  35. Michelle Acone | Please pray for God to stir an awaking in the hearts of my children that cause them to fully return to Him. As well for God to raise those in my family with dead bones to life in Christ. I pray for these things in God's perfect timing and against any schemes of the enemy who delays. Also, I ask you prayer for a hedge of protection around them as God works in their lives.

 
ALL CHURCH PRAISE REPORT
  1. Luisa Fernandez | David's surgery yesterday was successful. Praise God. Also praise God my outpatient procedure was great, no pain or discomfort.

5951 Downey Avenue, Long Beach, CA, 90805


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