To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws…
Daniel 9:8-10 (ESV)
LORD God, I come to You praying for my nation. You said in Your Word that we should submit to authorities for they have been placed there by You and given charge over us (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-25). You have appointed them to keep watch over us (Hebrews 13:7). I must confess it is hard when I see them promote unrighteousness and injustice. It is hard to pray for them and not be angry when I see that they show partiality and do not promote Your love. It is hard when I see division and not unity, backbiting and greed and not grace and compassion.
Yet, this morning I know that the problem isn’t just them. It is also me. I must have the mind of Christ towards them. When I see them, I must see that they are truly harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). I must look upon them with eyes of love and compassion, having a heart of patience, not willing that they should perish (2 Peter 3:9).
So, first please forgive me. I am so sorry I have not been like Jesus in loving those I believe to be unlovable. I believe that the love of Christ can tear down the most rigid of walls. Help me to walk in that truth.
I pray for those whom You have put over us, from the president to the mayor, from Congress to local legislators, from the Supreme Court to the trial courts. LORD, I pray that You would forgive them of any sins they may have committed, both in their personal lives and in the carrying out of their duties. I pray that You would raise up around them those whom they can trust and who can hold them accountable to do good and rule in a just and righteous way. I pray You would give them wisdom and compassion, enabling them to make the tough decisions that will be in the best interest of all their constituents, not just a chosen few.
The challenges before them are great – from crime in the streets, to global warming, to conflicts between nations – they need Your guidance to make the right decisions. But most of all, they, and we, need Your righteousness, that we might walk in Your ways and obey Your voice. So, I pray that You would speak to them and manifest Your will in the carrying out of their duties that we, as a nation, might truly glorify You for once in Jesus’ Name. Amen.