As our nation finds itself in yet another highly divisive election season, our tendency can be to draw firm lines between ourselves based on which candidates we support, and that can in turn lead to personal dislike for one another, anger towards those who lead, and eventually division.
As Christians, we are to live in a fine balance; standing for that which is true while seeking unity amongst ourselves whenever possible, standing firm in the faith while showing grace to those who do not, holding our leaders accountable while praying for their wisdom and well-being.
We are to learn from the words of Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”
We are to be those who stand in the gap, who lift up our nation with all it favors and faults before the throne of God, and pray that He continues to work in our midst.
Scriptures to Pray For Ourselves:
I Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I Peter 2:17 – Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
>Romans 13:1 – Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Jeremiah 29:7 – Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
II 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.
Scriptures to Pray for our Leaders:
>Psalms 2:10-11 – Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
>Proverbs 11:14 – For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
>Proverbs 21:1 – The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
>Job 12:23-25 – He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
>Proverbs 2:1-8 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3) indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7) He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
May we be faithful, informed and thoughtful when praying and talking to others about our politics, and as we ask for God’s wisdom and righteousness to be evident in our nation’s policies and leaders.
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This prayer for government and political leaders is based on promises from the Bible as we pray that God will give government leaders wisdom and fairness. It can be used as an ongoing prayer for government leaders or can be prayed after an election, a transfer of power or during times of government transition.
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Prayer for Government Leaders Using Scripture
Dear Ruler of the Universe,
We thank you that call us to live together under of the rule of law and under the leadership of governments of every kind. We look to your word in the Bible that tells us “that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (I Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)
We are grateful for this strong word of guidance from a writer in an age when rulers could be good or bad and when the people had little or no say about who ruled or how they ruled. Therefore, give us the grace to pray for the good and the bad leaders alike, those we agree with and those we disagree with, as your Spirit empowers and leads us.
We stand on your promise that you can guide all those in leadership positions as it says in your Word, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21;1-3 NIV)
And so Father we pray for our government leaders that they will have guidable hearts. Help them to have a true sense of service. Fill them with a healthy realization that although they may exercise earthly power, You are ultimately in control of all destiny including theirs. Fill them with a desire to obey the law of love which transcends all man-made laws. Grant them a desire to serve justice rather than convenience or personal political advantage.
Surround our government leaders with good advisors. We pray the grace of Proverbs 19:20 for them, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” We pray that you will add to their wisdom the gift of patience as it says in Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is his glory to overlook an offense.” And: “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” (Proverbs 17:27 NIV) Help our leaders to be quick to pray, quick to deliberate and quick to seek advice. Help them to be slow to speak or act on impulse, out of anger, pride, greed or desires to strengthen their own power and control.
We pray that our government leaders will establish domestic peace and prevent evil doers from prospering as it says in your Word, “A wise king winnows out the wicked.” (Proverbs 20:26 NIV) “Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.” (Provers 16:12 NIV) “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV) Guide our leaders in defending our communities from threats of lawlessness within our borders and from outside of our borders.
But most of all, give our government leaders a deep and abiding faith in you. We claim these promises for them today, “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” (Proverbs 20:27 NIV) “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7) Give our leaders a strong, trusting relationship with Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd that our leaders might in turn be truly good shepherds of their flock You have entrusted to them.
We pray in the name of Christ the Everlasting King, Amen.
Related Links
Veterans Day Prayer
Fourth of July Prayer
Copyright Karen Barber 2012 All rights reserved.
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Home >> Scripture Prayers >> Praying For The Nations
All nations around the world are included in this prayer. Or you can pray for an individual nation such as “the nation of _______.”
I had never really thought about praying for the nations, until I became a prayer leader. But this is a prayer we need to pray everyday, particularly for nations that are oppressed.
Praying For The Nations
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.
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