The G. of G. # 5: Praying for Our Nation

This will be a shorter post, and I’l continue the theme in the next post (hopefully, next week).

This election week has left us with much angst, but as Christ-followers, we need to keep preaching the Word to ourselves (listening to the Holy Spirit, our teacher). We are citizens of two kingdoms, and we view this temporal citizenship through the lens of our eternal citizenship. Thus, we pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Paul and I have participated in several group prayer meetings this week. With anxiety I entered the second prayer session and impressively experienced the very claims of the Scripture being discussed:

“Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

We were encouraged to pray. That is our part. We were encouraged to trust God’s sovereignty. His rule is His part. He is good and faithful, wise and true. And as we prayed, I felt the angst and anxiety drain out of my heart, mind, and bones. The weight lifted, and I smiled in faith.

We were encouraged not to feed our spirits with news and social media and such. Instead we were encouraged to drink in Scriptures, listen to worship music, and praise God.  After the prayer session, I sat at our piano and played beautiful hymns, drinking in the Bible-drenched lyrics. Thank You, Lord! I trust in You and Your Sovereign working of Your wise will for today and every tomorrow.

Below are some Scriptures to encourage you:

Jeremiah 29:7 – Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 – 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.

1 Peter 2:17  – Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Romans 13:1 – Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

I hope you will “draw near to God” (James 4:8) and also stay in close fellowship with some trusted brothers and sisters in the Lord. This strengthens us…. Pray together with them.

I’ll close with our opening passage. Daily, may it be true in your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.  

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

AMEN! Lord, let it be so!