Today is the National Day of Prayer, not government-sponsored, but called by Christian leaders throughout our nation. Only in calling out to God will anything going wrong in this country be reversed. In the spirit of this day, I offer the following prayer.
Lord, we are in trouble as a nation, as You well know, even better than we do. The problems aren’t all at the top politically; there is a culture that has not only accepted sin but has glorified it. We need a cleansing from top to bottom.
First, I do pray for our government. We are in dire need of leaders who not only respect Your principles but who know You personally and are committed to living their lives in accordance with Your directives. You tell us to pray for all those in authority, whether they know You or not, even if they are antagonistic toward Your ways. So, in keeping with that command, I pray specifically for President Obama and all in his administration. I have no illusions about them, yet I know You can do things through them even when they don’t realize it’s You. I recall Nebuchadnezzar. He wasn’t following You, but you made him Your servant without his knowledge. Please do so again.
This prayer for leaders applies not just to the federal government; states and localities are extremely important as well. Please strengthen the hearts of governors and legislators at the state level to stand firm on Your truths. Thank You for a government that is not intended to be top-down. Thank You that we have recourse to many governments throughout the nation. Please work through them.
One of my chief concerns is education. I am more than dismayed by what is being communicated in our education system. Hold back the tide, I pray, and create a thriving private education movement that cannot be stopped, in both Christian schools and through homeschooling. Our children—the next generation—are vital to the survival of this nation.
I pray for the upcoming elections, not only at the presidential level, but at state and local levels. We are in urgent need of candidates whose hearts are truly Yours. I ask that you elevate those whose hearts are pure and who intend to do their best for You. I also ask that You expose those who are false in their professions of faith and open the eyes of American citizens to see the difference between those who have integrity and those who do not.
I also realize, though, that the key to a turnaround is Your church, broadly identified as all those, regardless of denomination, who seek Your face and are dedicated to Your truth. May we repent of any sin that stands in the way of Your favor. May we hold fast to Your Word as truth. May we stand strong in defense of the unborn and the infirm at the end of their lives. May we be bold in our proclamation of what marriage really is and what it is not. May we be willing to suffer for our faith in the same spirit as Your early disciples, and through our stand, may others be brought to repentance and saving faith also.
We are a needy people. We ask for Your mercy, which is unmerited favor. We do not merit it at all, but we plead for it anyway.
Thank You for Your love and willingness to listen to us. May You see a church, as Your Word describes, without spot or wrinkle. Help us be the Bride of Christ that You seek, and may we work with You to accomplish Your purposes in our country.
We ask all of this in the Name Above All Names, who laid down His life for us. Amen and amen.