I Prayed have prayed
LORD, as the culture grows ever more hostile to Your gospel, give us the courage and boldness to stand unflinchingly.

A simple nativity scene in a public park, part of the annual Christmas traditions of one Arkansas city for decades, is now the latest instance of a growing spirit of anti-Christian hostility and bigotry in America.

UPDATE: The Mayor of Eureka Springs announced that the display would be allowed in the park. Randall Christy posted this on Facebook:

“I want to sincerely, personally thank Eureka Springs Mayor, Butch Berry, who just notified me in writing that he has changed his mind and WILL NOT require us to remove our Nativity Scene out of the city’s Basin Park. He and I will STAND TOGETHER to fight this potential lawsuit. We stand together to keep Christ and the Nativity in Christmas in Eureka Springs!!! I’m proud of Mayor Berry for making the right decision.”

From Todd Starnes. Christians in Eureka Springs, Arkansas are openly defying their government leaders after they were ordered to remove a Nativity scene from a city park.

The Nativity scene had been a holiday tradition in Basin Park since 1950.

Visit your state page to pray.

 

Volunteers from the The Great Passion Play have erected the Nativity on behalf of Beta Sigma Phi for a number of years.

But Executive Director Randall Christy said this year he was ordered by the mayor and the city attorney to remove Mary and the Christ Child.

“This is Christmas,” he said. “Why is the Nativity such a threat to the mayor of Eureka Springs?”

Christy said he has no plans to comply. …

“I am fed up with it and I’m not going to do it,” he said in a video posted on Facebook. “I instructed my staff today – do not comply with the mayor’s request. … ”

… “We’ve got to stand up for what’s right. I’m tired of people demanding that we remove Jesus from Christmas. Doesn’t that bother you? …

Please post your prayer for this community in the comments. Learn more about the intersection of Christmas, the Constitution, and religious freedom from IFA’s Constitutional Corner webcast and prayer call.

(Excerpt from Todd Starnes. Photo shows the nativity display at Basin Park in Eureka Springs.)

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Rosa Munoz
December 7, 2022

Father we ask for your Divine protection for the nativity scene in Arkansas in the city park and for those that are standing by their beliefs. It seems that nowadays you hardly ever see any activity scenes and it’s sad to believe that there’s a lawsuit against them because of this. Continue to give them boldness and courage and stand with them cover them underneath the shadow of your wings underneath the shadow of your hand. Dismantle any assignment of the enemy they will try to come against him. Father fight against them that fight against your people rise of shield and buckler come to their aid Brandish spear and javelin I guess those have pursue them say to their soul I am your salvation May those who seek their lives be disgrace and put a shame May those that plot their room be turned back in dismay may they be like a shaft in the wind with the angel of the Lord chasing them away May their path be dark and slippery with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. Thank you Father we are season Jesus name and for your Glory

Mary Ann Canfijn
December 7, 2022

LORD of heaven and earth, Thank you for those who have the gumption to Stand, and
Withstand the assault on the Gospel of Jesus Christ! May that ever shining Light dispel the darkness over our land this Christmas season as your people honor You.

Joan Jones
December 7, 2022

Praise God for standing up for Jesus.
Our true and gracious Saviour.
We Christians need to take a stand against the government trying to bury our beliefs because it might offend others.
This country was built on God’s
Foundation.

3
NanJohnson
December 6, 2022

So glad that the Christian leaders stood up and refused to obey when told they could not put up the traditional nativity scene. Praise God, after their protest, the mayor agreed to their wishes after all. What a beautiful victory for our Lord Jesus!! He’s what Christmas is all about. I pray we’ll see many more Christians standing up for their faith and their rights as fellow citizens. Christmas came from the Christian faith !!

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Marlene Moore
December 6, 2022

Thank you for taking a stance for the right to display the Nativity Scene . God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ❤️And 🙏

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Peg B
December 6, 2022

Heavenly Father, thank You for Executive Director Randall Christy who had the courage to stand up for our God given freedoms. Let this story travel far and wide as a reminder that we love and serve, because Jesus first loved us and gave Himself up for us. Let every believing member in the body of Christ take their positioning under God. There is no offense, only a message of forgiveness and grace. We praise You Lord, let Your name be exalted on high with praise and thanksgiving. In the glorious name of Jesus! Amen.

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Robyn Grether
December 6, 2022

I am SO proud of this mayor for taking the stand for keeping Christ in Christmas. May other mayors follow his lead!

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Tim and Sue Rafferty
December 6, 2022

We stand behind you!!! God will reward you for taking a stand!!!!

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Deborah
December 6, 2022

I boldly stand with everyone taking a stand for & publickly displaying a nativity scene in the state of Arkansas. And pray that the Lord will draw people to himself through their open display & confession of faith in Jesus as Savior & Lord. I applaud every person who has not bowed down to the wishes of those who have told them to take down the nativity scene. We need more believers to take
bold stands in much the same way & pray that what is taking place in Arkansas may influence others to do just that.

15
Cindy Gates
December 6, 2022

Praying with all praying for Georgia election today. May the truth be seen and all those needing to vote will vote.
For our religious freedom to be upheld.
Praying for boldness courage for all of those in the forefront!
Gods Kingdom to come and Gods will to be done in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ ‼️🙏🙏🏽🙏🙏🏽🙏🙏🏽✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️❤️📖📖📖📖📖⛪️⛪️🕊🕊🕊
Angels of God to be dispatched
Righteous gates to be opened
🙏🙏🏽🙏🙏🏽🙏🙏🏽🙏🙏🏽😇😇

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Darlene DeAngelis
December 6, 2022

Actions speak louder than words this is not time to just pray prayer is most important but showing the world who we are is more important than anything else and we are the children and the tribe of Judah and our Father God who is Almighty and all powerful amen

12
Darlene DeAngelis
December 6, 2022

Father God we have as Christians and loving you have the courage and the boldness not the spirit of timidity let us not bow down to the few handfuls of evilness that are trying to manipulate and control us Lord we need to stand up and tell this evil go back to hell where you belong and push the Gates of Hell back into hell enough is enough Lord we have had enough I will continue to step out and face that you will protect me and and continue to give me the Spirit of Courage and boldness Lion of the Judah this is what you want us to do this is why it’s getting worse and worse ever since the church is shut down lord shame on the churches because we have given the door of hell and open invitation and we have to stop this immediately guide us and let us show this handful of evilness you will not have your way in the name of Jesus

14
Denise Tomasini
December 6, 2022

My husband and I stand with all who praise the Lord in word and deed, especially through symbolism of Christ’s birth. It IS important and powerful to remember and to do! Denise and Gary Tomasini

17
Joan Bartruff
December 6, 2022

Praise the Lord for Mr. Christy’s stand for the Lord. I pray our Triune God will embolden Christians
everywhere to stand against the attacks on Christianity. I pray all Christians in Eureka Springs will support Mr. Christy’s stand.

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Priscilla Meyenburg
December 6, 2022

OOPS! Sorry hit button to correct the word listen it posted without me hitting button for comments. Start again! As I listen to his story about the Mayor of Eureka Springs and demands of removal of a Naivety Scene that has been a presentation since 1950. My Righteous spirit rose up in me. I make very few comments any more on FB but I did yesterday. I prayed that the people of Eureka Springs would stand up that God gave us Freedom according to our Constitution and Gods words. I did a Decree concerning this demand against the Mayors push and Attorney to remove the Naivety scene. I prayed that the people of Eureka would stand up and use this freedom that they have. I suggested in my statement that this was exposed about the Mayor/ and Attorney that there was always an election to remove these people who denounce Jesus Birth. I also prayed this Mayor needed a walk with Jesus to learn what Christmas was all about. I felt God had lead me to listen to this story and guided me to pray for what was happening concerning the demands of removal of Naivety Scene. God give Eureka the strength and wisdom to win this battle of spiritual darkness that surrounds the Leadership of Eureka Springs. Father God thank you for the exposure so the community can pray for the Mayor to change his mind or vote him out. We decree that America is strong spiritually and this Love to celebrate Christ’s birthday will stand and the people will use their ConstitutionalGod given right to display the Birth of Jesus. Jesus I thank you for the moment of directive prayer that needed to be done as Randall Christy was speaking about a Mayor wanting removal of Jesus Birth at a site that was established in 1950. Praise God for your power and love in helping these people to stand and fight for Jesus.

20
Dave
December 6, 2022

Just one thing, lawyer up because the left will not let this go. Be ready, do not wait until They act because when they do, it will be so swift you will not have time to even think about it. Lawyer up NOW and be ready for when they come.

16
Lopez Lopez
December 6, 2022

More than ever, we need to pray for one another. I stand in prayer with my brothers and sister. We must not give in to the enemy. If it was not for JESUS, there would not be a Christmas. Jesus is and will aways be the center of Christmas. Let us pray like never before for this evilness that is arising all around us. We must always remember that God has told us in his word “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10-11

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Barbara Janicki
December 6, 2022

unbelievable – every other group and cause is protected ie. “gay pride month and parades and flags etc.” – our government allows many things in the name of “inclusivity” – how ironic they want to exclude the one thing that represents truly the “reason for the season” in the first place – Christmas is literally the celebration and remembrance of Jesus’s birth – the Nativity is the one thing that should not be left out of all the Christmas decor. Of course they want to take Christ out of Christmas, but without Jesus there is nothing to celebrate – Christmas becomes a holiday without meaning or purpose. (which is what they want) The power of Christmas is in the truth – “God so loved the world that He gave His Son” – when all else is stripped away, it is the Nativity that should and will remain as the symbol of Christmas. http://www.mtothe5th.wordpress.com (post – “the question Advent asks)

18
Debbie Larkin
December 6, 2022

Note from the Mayor:

“Today the city is going to issue a permit for the Nativity scene to remain, along with other secular displays, in the bandshell in Basin Spring Park in Eureka Springs.

The City of Eureka Springs is following its philosophy of being inclusive of all people and all beliefs. We appreciate the emails and phone calls received from all over the country. And we wish everyone peace and goodwill toward all during this holiday season.

Thank you Butch Berry”

20
    Dave
    December 6, 2022

    Is this the same place the Scene has always been, (in the bandshell)? If not, then it needs to be separated from other “secular displays” since this is not a “secular display”. Just put it where it has always been!!

    6
Priscilla Meyenburg
December 6, 2022

Father God you are so good and real As I enter the gates with thanksgiving and give Jesus Praise for all he does for us. Yesterday 12/06/22 as I was listening to one of God’s prophets as I was painting my usual gift to my family, God presented me this story about Eureka Springs on (FB) there was this man talking about a Naivety Scene in Eureka Springs, as I lustene

10
Ruby Yoder
December 6, 2022

Dear Father God, thank-you for these dear people who are standing up for the real meaning of Christmas. The birth of your Son Jesus. I ask for their protection and for them to have your wisdom as they go thru this season.

37
Linda
December 6, 2022

Why don’t we all have a Nativity scene in our Christmas display in our yard. Counter this with a drive to display our faith in our businesses and our homes

34
    Julie
    December 6, 2022

    I agree Linda! We have a “Jesus Is The Reason For The Season” yard sign in our front yard at Christmas along with our Christmas lights.

    Additionally, we have a yellow “Thank You Jesus” lawn sign in our front yard year ’round. And we have a “John 3:16 Jesus Loves You” front license plate on one of our cars.

    Love to display our faith! Can’t get enough of Jesus!

    3
R
December 6, 2022

Oh Thank GOD for Director Randall Christy! FATHER GOD please send YOUR angels to surround and protect him and his family as he stands strong for his Constitutionally protected civil right of “freedom FROM government to intrude in religion in any way!” Let churches back him up all over America. Let us all refuse to give in to these people in government attempting to make America into Nazi Germany with these democrats being the hitleresque dictators trying to steal our freedoms given by YOU! Thank YOU for sending YOUR angels to fight for us daily in the MIGHTY NAME of JESUS! Amen!

27
David Leising
December 6, 2022

In the beginning was the word the word was with God and the word was God. With out the word to express our selves we loose are freedoms. We must stand in the name of Jesus Christ to these Tyrants. The state is not God. God is on his throne thwarting the plans of evil wicked men who suppress the truth of Jesus Christ our Lord in unrighteousness. The Lord has already won the war. The battle goes on until the Lord footstools every form of wickedness repent or be footstooled. Bow the knee now or bow to him on his thrown. Either way you will bow all will bow to the name of Jesus Christ our King. Hallelujah praise the Lord justice will be served. Patience my Christian brothers I know it’s frustrating but vengeance is the Lords. He will repay believe me he will have his justice the embodiment of justice and truth. Our Lord King and God. The everlasting God the eternal God will recompense. Amen

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Joseph Blanton
December 6, 2022

Holy Father in heaven, please guide Your children as they seek to confront the wickedness and evil of the devil. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

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