Scripture

1 Timothy 2:1-6, 8 NLT

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.…In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Consider this prayer for our nation

P – Praise

Creator God, we adore you and glorify your holy name. We acknowledge that we are helpless to do right without your guidance and goodness. All that we have and all that we are flow from your loving and generous hand.

R – Repent

We confess that as a nation we have lost our way. You gave us good foundations in your Word, but we have strayed from your truth, rejected your sovereignty over our lives, and replaced you with idols and promises that cannot satisfy our desperate souls. Because of our many sins, our children and our environment suffer. We allow the lies of the enemy to distort our thinking and set us against our neighbors. Our guilt lies heavy upon us as individuals and as a people. Like the lost son who came to his senses and returned home to his father, we lay before you all our bad choices and selfish acts because our guilt is crushing us

A – Ask

We ask that you lead us, Lord, with your mercy and compassion to a place of peace. Forgive us and lift the curse that tortures our people with fear, anger, and despair. Remind us of your faithfulness to our nation in years past. Heal our self-inflicted wounds. Remove from our eyes the scales of bigotry and lazy thinking that prevent us from seeing the beauty and value in others, especially when we disagree. Teach us your ways; train us to forgive and cultivate peace; pour out your goodness and conform us to the nature of Christ. Protect us from the evil one and the many temptations that lead us away from you and deeper into violence and fear.

Y – Yield

Humble us, Lord, as individuals and as a nation. In your great mercy, free us from our arrogant opinions and our stubborn need to be right. Bring our leaders to their knees before you in adoration and submission to your mighty will for this nation. Break the power of Satan, which hovers like a menacing cloud over our confused and frightened people, so that we may once again hold your Name high in public places and illuminate every dark corner with the light of your saving and healing truth.

Reflect

Proverbs 21:1; Romans 13:1