As the Operating Committee of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention begins its search for the next executive director, we are intentionally spending time in prayer. This seven-day Pray First initiative will begin Tuesday, May 30. As Operating Committee members pray through the following prompts, they invite Arkansas Baptists around the state to do the same.

Day 1: Death to Self – May 30

This process is not about us or about a candidate. We pray for our agendas to be surrendered to God's agenda.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself up for me." -Galatians 2:20 

Day 2: Wisdom – May 31

Controversies in the Southern Baptist Convention at large mean we need wisdom from God and a leader who exhibits this quality.

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him showby his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness ofwisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambitionin your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against thetruth. This wisdom is not that which comes down fromabove, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousyand selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, thenpeaceable gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit isrighteousness is sown in peace by those who makepeace." -James 3:13-18

Day 3: Courage – June 1

To paraphrase Charles Stanley, we are praying for a leader who has the courage to obey God and trust Him with consequences.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -2 Timothy 1:7

Day 4: Spirit Led – June 2

In this process, we need to depend on God's Spirit to lead us as well as to lead our next Executive Director.

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased topray for you, asking that you may be filled with theknowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom andunderstanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of theLord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good workand increasing in the knowledge of God; beingstrengthened with all power, according to his gloriousmight, for all endurance and patience with joy; givingthanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in theinheritance of the saints in light." -Colossians 1:9-12

Day 5: Faith – June 3

We need the faith to trust God and God's timing and we need to pray for a man of faith and vision.

"Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoeverwould draw near to God must believe that he exists andthat he rewards those who seek him." -Hebrews 11:6

Day 6: Burden – June 4

We have a burden to see people in Arkansas come to know Christ, and we pray that our next Executive Director will have this same burden.

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them isthat they may be saved." -Romans 10:1

Day 7: Unity – June 5

We seek the Lord so that we may have unity as a committee, Executive Board, and State Convention as the process unfolds.

"Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in thebond of peace." -Ephesians 4:3