He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8 NIV)
Now that the election is over, we must continue to pray for the nation and the Church. One set of election results does not counterbalance decades of decline in faith and righteousness or decades of division in the electorate. Our national Constitution is wise and strong enough to provide a framework for multiple worldviews to live together in one nation – if we will operate under its principles. And our God is wise, strong, and holy enough that the Church will endure not matter what the circumstances, because, ultimately, God and his people win the war against evil. Yet, there are many things to pray for. Here are some you might lean into in your prayers:
- that God will thwart any and all acts of influence or violence by domestic or international groups bent on harming the nation or the Church
- a lowering of the emotional temperature by people in the media and influencers who stoke anger, fear, and anxiety
- the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection for Mr. Trump, his family, his advisors, and all those who he’s recruiting to be a part of his administration
- the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection for all those who have been elected into office
- the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection for Mr. Biden, Ms. Harris, their families, and others who will be transitioning out of governmental positions
- a continuation of prayers for the nation by the Church; that just because the election is over, the Church doesn’t quit praying
- a continuing repentance for the ways the Church has not fulfilled its role to make disciples and act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God
- a deep impetus for people of the Church to step into places of influence in the culture – in government, education, media, arts & entertainment, and business – and to bring Kingdom principles to those areas
- that God would pour out the Holy Spirit upon all peoples – men and women, young and old – so that will see and know the vision and callings God has for our individual lives, for the Church, and for the nation
- that by the Holy Spirit this nation will come into a place of awakening, repentance, revival, and reformation so that peace, love, kindness, hope, justice, and godliness are the culture in which we live
Holy God,
Thank you for guiding and guarding your people through this past election cycle. Thank you that in every time, every place, and every circumstance you are the reigning King of the Universe and Abba for our hearts. Thank you for your Word which calls us to pray for each other, the nation, and your Church. Thank you for the guidance your Word gives when we are open to listen and follow your teachings. Today we intercede for all the items listed above. We pray that the people of this nation will see through the lies around them and will not fall prey to the works of the enemy. Protect Mr. Trump, Mr. Biden, Mr. Vance, and Ms. Harris and all those who are in places of civic leadership from all types of violence. Protect this nation from any internal or international threats agains a peaceful transition of power. Thwart any and all attacks of the enemy of our souls. Pour out your peace, hope, wisdom, and justice upon this land. Pour out your Holy Spirit for Awakening and Revival and Reformation. Give your people a desire to make disciples and influence this nation for your Kingdom purposes. Forgive us for our sins as a nation against first peoples, our physical land, other countries, and various peoples. May your Church and this nation be cleansed from old prejudices, sins, and injustices. Bring us as forgiven people out of the “old” and into a “new” place of cleansing from all unrighteousness. Holy Spirit, cleanse us at a deep level so we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We ask this in the strong name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NIV)
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29 NIV)
These I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 55:7 NIV)
[Adapted from November 3, 2016 post]