PRAYER GUIDE

Prayer for Our Nation

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This week our hearts have broken as our nation’s deep divisions spilled over into violence in our capital. We invite you to join us this Thursday from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. as we lift up our hearts in prayer for our nation, believing this is God’s call to His people: “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. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved,” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
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WORSHIP

Begin and end your hour of prayer with worship in song. Here are some suggestions: “Spirit Pour Out” Andy and Rachel Graham; “Psalm 46” Shane and Shane; “Promises” Maverick City; “Instrument of Peace,” The Porter’s Gate. (You can find these on YouTube or Spotify).

PRAISE

Praise is the way we get close to the Lord: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” (Psalm 100:4), and “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Matthew 6:9). Calm your heart and spend several minutes praising and thanking the Lord aloud. In spite of all the violence and turmoil, where do you see His love and glory in the world around you, in His word, or in His Son? What can you thank Him for, even the smallest thing?

REPENT

“Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors,” (Matthew 6:12). Asking for and extending forgiveness are important parts of intercession. Before He heals a land, God calls His people to turn from sin. We can even repent for our nation. Ask the Lord to show you anything that He’d like you to confess for yourself or on behalf of our country. Consider what is in your heart toward those who disagree with you. Is your heart able to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)? Confess these things to the Lord and ask Him to change your heart and the hearts of people across our land.

ASK

The Lord wants us to ask for what we need and for rescue from evil: “Give us today our daily bread” and “Lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:11, 13).

For our nation: For people in authority to lead with wisdom; for God to heal the divisions, injustice, rage, and violence; for peace, justice, respect, and civility; for God’s spirit to be poured out all across our land, bringing many to know and love Him (1 Timothy 2:1-3; Psalm 46).

For churches: May our church and all churches be filled with God’s Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; for God’s people to be His light in the darkness; for God’s people to love those who hate us; for God’s people to increase in faith, hope, and love; for God’s people to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8; Gal 2:22-23; Matt 5:14; Matt 5:44; 1 Cor 13:13)

YIELD

The best thing that can happen anywhere—in a nation, a city, a church, a family, a person’s heart or life is for the Kingdom of God to come and for His will to be done—His good, pleasing, and perfect will: “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” (Matthew 6:10). Ask for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done in your heart, in your family, in our church, in our city, and in our nation.

LITURGY

Pray this prayer for yourself and for God’s church across our land:

Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

WORSHIP

End your time worshiping in song. Thank you for joining in praying over our nation.