Six Ways to Pray for Our Nation

1. PRAISE THE LORD THAT HIS SOVEREIGN GOODNESS IS AS TRUE TODAY AS EVER.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)

Remember: This world ultimately belongs to God, who created all things and Who, in Christ, is restoring all things. This remains true now and forever.

2. REPENT OF SIN, AND THANK GOD FOR HIS PROMISED FORGIVENESS.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:1-4)

Remember: The Christian worldview teaches that all have sinned, and that we are welcomed by God through repentance. Nehemiah began his work in the world with repentance. So ought we.

3. PRAY FOR OUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO FIGHT EVIL AND STAND UP FOR TRUTH.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:1-4)

Remember: There is no place where God is not at work, including in Nero’s household. God honors nations who honor Him.

4. PRAY THAT TRUTH AND JUSTICE WOULD PREVAIL OVER “POLITICAL CORRECTNESS” AND “TOLERANCE,” BOTH IN OUR OWN LIVES AND IN OUR CULTURE.

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15)

Remember: Right and wrong do not change according to cultural fashions, nor does legality alter morality.

5. PRAY FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION SEASON, THAT GOD WILL SHOW US MERCY AND NOT GIVE US WHAT WE DESERVE.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.” (Daniel 2:20-23)

Remember: God ultimately orchestrates human history and uses whom He will to accomplish His purposes.

6. PRAY THAT GOD UNITES HIS PEOPLE, USING THEM TO BRING RESTORATION IN THIS BROKEN CULTURE.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:16-19)

Remember: Those who have been reconciled to God have been put on mission as agents of reconciliation.

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