(28) A Prayer for National, State, and Local Leaders

“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  In him
our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." Psalm 33:20-21

       As today and every Election Day many new leaders are been elected and incumbents re-elected while most stay in office as a result of previous appointments and elections.  So on the day after an election it's always a good idea to pray for all of them.  The responsibilities are great and the temptations to compromise one's moral principles and fall into major and minor corruption are even greater.  "Nearly all men can stand adversity," said Abraham Lincoln. "But, if you want to test a man's character, give him power."  You've certainly heard of the saying, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely".  

         I first delivered the following prayer at the National Day of Prayer Service at the University of Rio Grande May 5, 2011.  It was received very well and a local Baptist pastor published it in his parish's Sunday Bulletin and a local village clerk put it on the reception desk for visitors and citizens coming to pay their water bill.  One person in the audience stated that "it was powerful".  If you also like it, feel free to do something similar at your university or in front of your county courthouse at noon on the first Thursday of May, joining together with thousands of others at most county courthouses throughout the country.  You might also want to send it to your representatives in local, state, and national government.  In sum, PLEASE PRAY CONSTANTLY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS.  God knows how much our country needs prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

1 Timothy 2: 1-4

¹First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, ²for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.  ³This is good and pleasing to God our savior, ⁴who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

A PRAYER FOR LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEADERS

Given at the National Day of Prayer at the University of Rio Grande May 5, 2011; April 23, 2015; May 7, 2015 in Gallipolis; and April 25, 2016.  Also in the Gallipolis Daily Tribune.

             O Lord, we beseech thee to purify the motives of our candidates for public office and of our current elected and appointed government officials and legislators.   May their motivation not be power, prestige, or personal gain, but rather to serve you and your people as a sacred trust.  Raise up more godly men and women to run for public office or be willing to be appointed.  Give us the wisdom to vote for the best person in your eyes.

        In making decisions on votes and policy, remind the office holders to seek your counsel in deep prayer and profound deliberation under the guidance of your Holy Spirit, conscious of the long run and often unintended consequences of their decisions that affect your people and your country as a nation under your holy name. Guide them oh Lord in wisdom because without you, we the people can do nothing and can expect only chaos.

        Lord, help them to serve with integrity, wisdom, dedication, and love of you and your people.......to make each decision or vote not for political expediency and reelection, not for political points or to repay political favors, but because it is right despite the personal consequences, because it is for the common good of all, and above all because it is your will as they discern it through prayerful deliberation.

        Make office holders always cognizant of human dignity and the inalienable human rights that you gave to every person from conception to natural death. May they defend the rights of all, especially the poor, the abused, the oppressed, the exploited, the unborn, and the weakest and defenseless members of our society.

        Write your moral and natural law on the heart of every public official and legislator. May they always seek the common good of all and social justice according to your will. Help them to be open and transparent because it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people upon whom their positions of authority and influence depend and ultimately come from you.

             As you told us, Lord, through your prophet in Psalm 33:12 - "Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord".  Inspire our legislators and government officials to lead us in that direction.  Only then shall we have peace, harmony, unity, and prosperity for all in our land and ultimately peace in the world.  Please don't let us learn the hard way as the Jews of the Old Testament did after stronger nations destroyed them because they were unfaithful, because of their corruption and moral weakness.  On the contrary, help us to be always faithful to you; help us to reflect your love and your light so as to be examples to the whole world. 

            Help our leaders to lead us back to you, not by preaching, but by their lives, by their example, and in symbolic ways.  Then we can echo the Psalmist in Psalm 91:2....... “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”.  When again this nation under God reaches its potential as a just, prosperous God fearing nation under your protection, let us gratefully and humbly never forget that it all came from you.  AMEN.   

Supplemental Bible Verses

Psalm 33:20-21

“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name."

Verse I Chose for the Prayer I Gave at Rio

2016 – 2 Chronicles 7:14 - “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2015 – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 - ¹First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, ²for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.  ³This is good and pleasing to God our savior, ⁴who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

Theme and Verse of the Year

2016 - Wake up, America!  Isaiah 58:1a - “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice                like a trumpet.”

2015 - I Kings 8:28  “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this                 day.”

2014  - Romans 15:6 "One Voice, United in Prayer".

2013 -  Matthew 12:21 - “In His name the nations will put their hope.”

2012 -  Psalm 33:12 - “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his              inheritance.”

2011 – A Mighty Fortress is our God.  Psalm 91:2  “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my             fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

2010 - Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in         Him.” 

Praying For The Nations

Joel 3:11..........Gather Your mighty ones to prepare for war.
Joel 3:12...........Let the nations be awakened!
Joel 3:14..........Bring the multitudes into the valley of decision.

Isa 1:2..............Let the earth hear the voice of the Lord!
Isa 43:9.............Father, gather the nations together,
Isa. 49:6............Send forth Your salvation to the ends of the earth,
Isa 61:11...........Cause righteousness and praise to spring forth.

Ps 9:20............Judge the nations in Your sight, Father, and put them to fear,
Ps 9:20.............that they might know themselves to be but men.
Ps 22:27............that they may worship Thee,
Ps 46:10............and exult Thee in all the earth.
Ps 111:6..........You have declared to Your people the power of Your works,
Ps 111:6...........in giving them the heritage of the nations.

*Rom 8:22..........Father, the whole creation groans and labors
Rom 8:21..........to be delivered from the bondage of corruption,
Rom 8:21..........into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Jn 15:26...........Send forth Your Spirit of Truth to bear witness of You,
Jn 16:8.............and to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

*Eze 14:6..........Cause them to repent and to turn from their idols.

Hag 2:7............Shake the nations, so they will come to the Desire of All Nations(Jesus).

Num 23:24........Father, cause Your people to rise up.

Jer 49:14..........Send Your ambassadors into all the nations.

Col. 4:3............Open to them a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ,

Mt 24:14...........that the gospel of the kingdom may be preached in all the world.

Phil 2:10...........Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!

Hab 2:14...........Let the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory
Hab 2:14...........of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Gal 3:8...............Let all the nations be blessed through Your people,

Zech 14:14.........and let the wealth of the heathen be gathered together

*2Kin 22:5...........and be delivered into the hands of Your people for the work of the Lord.

Mk 12:36...........and make Your enemies to be Your footstool.

Praying For The Nations http://www.prayingscriptures.com/nations.shtml

Joel 3:12...........Let the nations be awakened!
Isa 1:2..............Let the earth hear the voice of the Lord!
Ps 9:20............Judge the nations in Your sight, Father, and put them to fear,
Ps 9:20.............that they might know themselves to be but men.
Rom 8:22..........Father, the whole creation groans and labors
Rom 8:21..........to be delivered from the bondage of corruption,
Rom 8:21..........into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Jn 15:26...........Send forth Your Spirit of Truth to bear witness of You,
Jn 16:8.............and to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
Eze 14:6..........Cause them to repent and to turn from their idols.
Hag 2:7............Shake the nations, so they will come to the Desire of All Nations(Jesus).
Num 23:24........Father, cause Your people to rise up.
Joel 3:11..........Gather Your mighty ones to prepare for war.
Joel 3:14..........Bring the multitudes into the valley of decision.
Jer 49:14..........Send Your ambassadors into all the nations.
Col. 4:3............Open to them a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ,
Mt 24:14...........that the gospel of the kingdom may be preached in all the world.
Ps 111:6..........You have declared to Your people the power of Your works,
Ps 111:6...........in giving them the heritage of the nations.
Phil 2:10...........Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!
Isa 61:11...........Cause righteousness and praise to spring forth.
Hab 2:14...........Let the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory
Hab 2:14...........of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isa 43:9.............Father, gather the nations together,
Ps 22:27............that they may worship Thee,
Ps 46:10............and exult Thee in all the earth.
Gal 3:8...............Let all the nations be blessed through Your people,
Zech 14:14.........and let the wealth of the heathen be gathered together
2Kin 22:5...........and be delivered into the hands of Your people for the work of the Lord.
Isa. 49:6............Send forth Your salvation to the ends of the earth,

Mk 12:36...........and make Your enemies to be Your footstool.