A Prayer for the Nation
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
If there is any time when our nation and our world need to hear from God, it is now. If there is any time when the people of God need to pray, it is now, That is the only way that we will hear from God. We must humble ourselves, repent of our sin, and acknowledge God as the holy, righteous, sovereign, and supreme God of heaven and earth. It is up to believers to honor this call from God to pray like we have never prayed before. Those who say that they are believers, but show no evidence that they have truly repented of sin and have trusted Christ cannot be counted on to seek God’s face in these troubling times. The challenge falls on those who know Christ and are committed to Him.
The following is my prayer for a divided, hate-filled nation, a nation that was founded upon the principles laid out in God’s word, the Bible. How far we have fallen. God is our only hope and refuge.
“Dear Lord, our most gracious and righteous God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the holy One of Israel, nothing takes You by surprise. You knew that our nation would sink deeper and deeper into sin. I know that You can see the blood of the millions of little babies that have been slaughtered over half a century. You see how the intimacy between a husband and wife, the expression of love that You created, has been perverted in so many ways. You hear men and women as they express ideas that they believe are better than Your plan for life and liberty. You can also hear the sounds of suffering of those who are mocked, berated, and persecuted because they believe in You and Your word. Jesus told us to not be surprised that we are hated, because He experienced the hatred of those who desired to destroy Him, and He still experiences hatred even though He died to provide forgiveness for us sinners.
“You have even heard Your own people as they gossip, cheat, backbite, neglect to worship and serve You, refuse to give to the building up of Your kingdom, and seldom spend time to study Your word. You hear people using Your name as a curse word. We know that Satan is a powerful foe, but You have all power in heaven and earth. Please, Lord, do not let the new leadership of our nation do anything out of Your will, but if You do allow them to violate Your word, then make it evident to all people they they will be held accountable to You and to those whose basic rights have been trampled upon. Touch their hearts and convict them of sin. Don’t give them rest or peace until they acknowledge You as the Lord God of all creation. Please protect your people from the tyranny that will likely come from those who hate You. Have mercy on us and show Yourself strong among the nations.
“Jesus said that not everyone who says to Him, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father in heaven. Help us Lord to repent of our sin, to do your will, to seek Your face, and pray for our nation that we would turn back to You. Above all, let Your name be praised and receive all glory now and forever more. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN”