With Canadian elections coming soon, and American elections later this year, I was very thankful to hear this prayer for government, prayed recently by my friend Holly Williams. I asked her if it could be posted here in order for all of us to benefit from this pattern. When we are unsure how to pray for our government, this prayer gives us a biblical and robust list of things to pray about. Thank you, Holly for your heart for the Lord and your example in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are instructed in Psalms 46 to not fear, even when the ground all around us is crumbling.
We are to be still and remember you are God.
To remember you’ll be exalted one day among every nation.
That you can stop wars at your command, and you can use wars for your purposes.
No leader is outside your control, and we know you sovereignly reign over leader and nation, setting up a ruler and taking down another. You tell us in Proverbs 21:1 that the king’s heart is in your hand and you can turn it like water. We trust that we can glorify you in good governments and tyrannical governments.
We are thankful Paul gave us many examples of submitting to unrighteous and unjust authorities, trusting you can enable us for ministry regardless of our political climate around us.
We pray for our civil leaders in our province, states and in our countries.
We pray that they would understand good ways to lead and serve their communities. We pray that they would submit to your Word and ways.
We pray that they would ultimately know you as their Lord and Savior and submit themselves under your authority.
We pray for the grace to trust you when they do not follow you.
Help us to be salt and light in our communities, to not lose focus on the gospel and proclaiming it rather than our political agenda. Help us speak for the vulnerable while we seek to uphold righteousness. When given opportunity to speak to government officials or challenge a government position, help us do it with humility, meekness, respect, honor, and grace (Romans 13:7). Help us have the goals of pointing to who you are, showing the truths we are to uphold, and giving you the glory you deserve.
We thank you God for your ordained institution of government as commanded in 1 Timothy 2:1–4, and for all the civil servants you have placed over us. We pray as that passage says, that we can lead a quiet and peaceable life, in godliness and dignity. We thank you for the freedom we possess in our free countries to worship you, we pray for those countries who don’t have those open liberties.
May the gospel spread in free countries and in those that are oppressed. Until Jesus comes back to receive us,
Amen.
Suggested reading:
“With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader.” (Amazon description)
“Too often ex tempore prayer lacks variety, order and definiteness. The reason for this lies partly in a neglect of due preparation. It is here that the care and scriptural thoroughness which others found necessary in their approach to God may be of help. This book has been prepared not to ‘supply’ prayers but to prompt and encourage the Christian as he treads the path on which others have gone before.” (Amazon description)
With a cover design inspired by the Alberta Rocky mountains, this journal is the perfect size (6×9) to carry with your Bible. It includes 7 sections to organize your prayers as well as a bonus resource section with lists of key references of Bible verses on prayer. Be guided by scripture as you meditate on verses from the Bible and pray to God. Watch how He answers and record His works for the next generation!
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