Whenever our country has faced difficult circumstances such as life-threatening drought among the early Pilgrim settlers, the beginning of the War of Independence, or in the midst of our bloody Civil War, we have made a practice of humbling ourselves before a gracious and merciful God. 

Please join us in reciting this prayer, May 5, 2022, the National Day of Prayer, and every day until our Country is healed.

Sovereign Lord, King of the universe,  

You are the Creator of the world, the Author of life, Founder of the family, Instituter of government, Head of the church, and Perfector of our faith. From you, and through you, and to you are all things. We praise you! We quiet ourselves for a moment to be still and know that you are God.

We desire for you to be glorified in all you have made, according to your word, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Yet, there is so much wickedness—in ourselves, in our nation, and in the world.  Oh Lord, we need you to cleanse us and forgive us!

Millions of unborn babies have been sacrificed on the altar to self—and the government that was meant to protect the innocent has allowed it.

We are corrupting the impressionable minds of our children. The institutions intended to train them in truth are instead encouraging them to deny you, follow their passions, and harm their bodies.

We have rejected and attacked your beautiful design for marriage and the family. Our marriages do not always reflect this picture of Christ and his bride, while outside forces pressure us to deny the very definition of this sacred union.  

We have been irresponsible with our revenue and our debt. We have abused our authority and not stood for righteousness. We have allowed corruption, injustice, and negligence in our public affairs.

We, your church, have been fearful of man and the opinions others have of us. We are often silent when we should speak the truth in love. We have not sought or taught your whole counsel, in season and out of season.

We have done good works, but not equipped each other to resist deception and grow into maturity in Christ. How easily we take our eyes off you!

We confess that we are sinful; you are holy.

Our judgements are often warped; yours are true and righteous altogether.

We have done evil; you always do good.

You would be justified in condemning us all. Yet you are merciful, and you showed us mercy by condemning your Son, who bore our sins in his body on the cross. Because he died and rose again, we who have placed our trust in him now strive for righteousness found only in his grace and by the power of his Spirit. Thank you, God, for this great salvation! Our sins run deep; your love and grace run deeper still.

So now, Father, we plead with you on behalf of our country:

Equip your church to speak and teach your gospel with boldness and no fear, as you draw people to yourself by the power of your Spirit.

Through us, pour out your love, grace, and provision for women and children in crisis. We pray for pro-life ministries to spread across the nation, for repentance and a change of heart in our society.

Let our lawmakers—both state and federal—stand for life. May our governors faithfully execute pro-life laws, and stand against those that are anti-life. May our judges defend the innocent, and may Roe v. Wade be finally and definitively overturned.  

We pray for our school board members—open their eyes to anything in their schools that is harmful to the children. Let them be receptive to parents’ concerns and committed to making their schools a place of truth once again.

Help churches to equip parents to raise their children in the love, discipline, and instruction of the Lord—countering the perverted messages to which their children may be exposed online, at school, and from others.

Let our marriages and family relationships be rooted and strengthened in Christ’s love as a testimony to the world. Help our elected officials to honor the family and protect our freedom to live and act in faithfulness to Christ’s purpose for marriage and sexuality.  

We pray for the upcoming elections. Help us have wisdom in electing our public servants. Thank you for the opportunity and responsibility you have given us to vote. Let honest individuals step up to be election workers, and let the voice of the citizens be truly reflected in the results.

Help our government to protect its citizens from those seeking to harm us. Be with our first responders, border patrol agents, and men and women in uniform. Bring solutions to the crises in Ukraine and at our border. Help us to be wise in dealing with other countries and quick to stand for righteousness. Let us execute justice, steward our money responsibly, and submit to your authority.

Lord, we desire for our government and society to walk according to your principles—for the good of our neighbors, and especially so that the preaching of your word will not be hindered. But we also recognize that “many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18) So Lord, whatever the future holds, help us to be faithful to you, shining as lights in the darkness.

As the prophet Daniel prayed on behalf of his people, “We do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.” Father, have mercy on our country. Let us return to you in communities across our nation, and may you be glorified and exalted above all.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

(Prayer from Debbie Wuthnow, President, iVoterGuide)
 

"A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God." 
Charles Finney