It is truly time to pray for our nation!
The past couple of years have been just a little crazy and a little scary. Between politics and public health issues, it seems our nation truly is in a crisis situation!
The enemy would have us cower in fear but there's a better response we can have. We can pray.
We know why we need to pray for our nation, but you might wonder…
- What is a good prayer for our nation?
- How do you pray for our world?
- Why should we pray for our country?
- How do you pray for our country's leaders?
We know that when we pray, God will move in the biggest of ways according to His will for us. So take a pause from your day to use these prayers to pray for our nation!
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Praying For Our Nation
The Bible teaches us that we should pray for everything (1 Timothy 2:1). Praying for a nation is an act of love! And that act of love can literally move mountains!
Praying for a nation's prosperity involves seeking blessings for its economy, infrastructure, and development. It includes asking for opportunities, innovation, and growth that can improve the overall well-being and quality of life for its people.
When nations are blessed, it provides more opportunities for individuals to experience peace and prosperity. Ultimately, when fellow citizens live in peace with one another then they can be a blessing to others around them.
Why Should We Pray For Our Country
When things are out of control, the first thing we should do is pray. And that is no different when it comes to the trials that a country may face.
Right now, we have major political strife on top of the fear created by a pandemic. The people of our nation are scared and beginning to turn against each other.
We know that prayer is powerful.
When we pray for our country, we are asking for protection of God's people and the land, to help them discern the tactics of the enemy. When we pray for our country, putting the full Armor of God around our homeland to protect it from enemy strongholds.
When we pray for our country, we are asking God to help our leaders lead in a Godly way and not out of selfish ambition.
What does the Bible say about praying for nations?
One of the clearest instructions on how to pray for our nation is found in 1 Timothy:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
When we read the Old Testament, we see lots of ways we can say a prayer for a nation in crisis. One of my favorite examples is found in 2 Kings 18-19. Hezekiah was king of Judah and he had stopped paying tribute to the King of Assyria. As you can imagine, the Assyrian monarch was not happy and he decided to go to war against Judah.
But before he invaded the city, he played some mind games with them. He taunted the watchmen on the wall; deliberately choosing words he knew would incite fear. He sent his messengers to remind them of all the nations who had fallen before Assyria. Then he sent a letter with these words:
‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’” 2 Kings 19:10-13 ESV
I'm sure Hezekiah and the people of Judah had a lot to fear. They were a tiny nation compared to those who had fallen before the Assyrians. The Judean army was nothing compared to the sheer size of the Assyrian army. Hezekiah knew he needed to say a prayer for his nation in crisis, but maybe like you, he thought he didn't know any prayers for crisis situations.
Prayers for a Nation in Crisis
Praying for a nation, especially during a crisis, is an act of faith and obedience, hope, and compassion towards the collective well-being and progress of the nation and its people.
When we come together and pray as a unified body of Christ, we can pray powerful prayers over our nation's leaders and people.
Here are some specific prayers you can pray over your nation today.
Prayer for Our Nation's Leaders
Praying for a nation includes praying over the nation's leadership. This includes:
- president
- vice president
- all members of congress including the house of representatives and house of senate
- members of the assembly
- federal government leaders
- local government leaders
- police chief and law enforcement
Maybe you're wondering how to pray for your leaders and government. You may feel a little intimidated because it seems as if they have all the power and you have none. But let me remind you that there's power in prayer and in the name of Jesus.
Pray for our nation's leaders to seek wise counsel in their decisions that impact the country. Pray that they always strive for the preservation of peace. Pray that they will place the Kingdom over their own selfish ambitions. And pray for their protection against the enemy.
Lord God Almighty, I would like to pray for the leaders of my country. I pray they will have the insight to consider all the variables in every situation and that they will make the decisions that benefit the greater majority of people. I pray that they will make the hard decisions as they consider the needs of our nation and its people. I ask that you provide them with good counselors and that they will listen to the advice they receive.
Pray for Wisdom
When a nation is in crisis, government leaders are often tasked with making hard decisions that impact so many people from different walks of life.
Making the wrong decision could cause further chaos! Pray for them to have the wisdom to make these difficult decisions and that they seek out your counsel before all others.
- Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20 ESV
- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
Father God, thank you for being my great mentor and counselor. I pray that you give our nation's leaders the wisdom to take our country down the right path. I pray they always seek the wise counsel of the word of God before making important decisions that impact peoples' lives. Thank you Lord, for always providing what our leaders need to lead this nation effectively. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer for the Protection of Your Nation's Leaders
During times of crisis, government leaders have to make difficult decisions for the good of the nation – not the good of particular political party.
These decisions don't always sit well with others and, as a result, they may be the target of disgruntled citizens. Pray for their safety and to keep them out of harm's way.
- But you, O LORD, are always my shield from danger; you give me victory and restore my courage. Psalms 3:3 GNT
- He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 NLT
Father God, because our leaders often make devisive decisions, I pray you cover them in your arms of protection to keep them safe so they can continue to look out for the people they govern. Only You know what dangers await them each day so please direct their steps in a manner to keep them safe from anyone who might seek to do them harm. Amen.
Prayer for a Nation's Unity
When we pray for a nation, we should pray for them to be unified and have peace.
When people are in a crisis, one of the things they want more than anything is peace. We want peace because when our nations have peace, we will have peace. In the midst of a crisis, you may realize that everyone seems to have their own agenda–agendas that seem to divide when we should be seeking to unify.
Pray that people of faith work together for the better good of the nation and not get caught up in fear or racial or political differences.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:16 ESV
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:12-13 NIV
Dear Lord, we know that you sent your son Jesus so that we can abundant life. We know that you are the author of peace and that the peace you give is unlike anything that can be found on earth. We ask therefore for this peace. We ask that as you grant us your peace that it will be a unifying factor for all humanity. Bind us together Lord with cords of love and peace that cannot be broken. In Jesus's name, we pray, Amen.
Prayer for a Nation's Spiritual Awakening
Praying for a nation means to pray for them to have a spiritual awakening!
One of the best things to happen when a nation is in crisis is that of a revival or spiritual awakening of the people. When people are at their darkest moments, they most often turn to God for hope (rightfully so!).
So pray to God and ask for a spiritual revival on a level never seen before! Pray that the masses will repent of their sin and realize that the only thing that matters is a relationship with Christ and not the state of their earthly lives.
- Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalms 85:6 NIV
- If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
God wants to heal our nation. He wants all of us to turn to him so that he can show himself mighty on our behalf.
Oh Gracious and Heavenly Father, fill your people with the Holy Spirit so they take to the streets in spiritual revival. Let them stand up and stand firm in their faith and let their voices be louder than the enemy. Our nation needs to see a revival in the streets and on the television, and any where that people can see. Ignite a fire, O God, in your people that will burn bright for all the world to see! Amen.
Related: 3 Steps to Let Go and Give Your Worries to God
Prayer for a Nation's Health Care Workers
Praying for our nation includes praying for our health care workers!
Our healthcare workers are on the frontlines of every illness and disease that affects our nations. They are often taken for granted as people forget that their jobs often put them in the midst of a nation's crisis.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Let us pray for our healthcare workers.
Dear Lord, we pray for our healthcare workers–for every person who works in a medical facility or has anything to do with sanitation. We ask that you will protect them from disease and other illnesses. We ask that you will protect their families and provide for their needs. We ask that you will provide the resources they need to do their jobs in the quantities necessary to be effective. Thank you for all you have already done and will continue to do, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Prayer for a Nation's First Responders
Praying for a nation means praying for those who protect us!
In today's society, we depend heavily on our first responders. They are the ones we reach out to dispatch help when we are not able to reach healthcare facilities on our own strength. But sometimes we forget to pray for them.
We forget that, in order to help us, first care responders put their lives at risk often running into danger to protect the people they serve. As we pray for our nations in crisis, we should also pray for our first responders.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV
We should pray that they continue to show up to do the job even when it is hard. We should pray that they do the hard job even when they are hesitant or afraid.
Father, we know that you care for your children. We ask that you put a hedge of protection around our first responders as they fight to get people the care and protection they need. Remove their fear as they walk into situations that are sometimes dangerous and give them the skills they need to do the job they have been given. Give them praying families and people who can lift them up in prayer. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
Praying for Our Nation is Powerful!
Prayer is the gift God has given to his people–an invitation to reach out and receive help, victory, healing, and peace.
When you or your nation is in a crisis situation, it's a great opportunity to turn to the Lord in prayer.
He will answer even them most impossible of requests!
Pray for the healing of your nation. Pray that God will send mighty angels to protect and defend the innocent, as well as, turn back the forces of evil.
And pray that our leaders will always put the needs of our people before the needs of our government.
Here is a prayer for our nation that you can pray today!
Father, Thank you for the invitation to come into your presence and stand boldly before the throne of grace. We put the healing of our nations in your hand. We know that it is the enemy's job to kill, steal, and destroy but you have sent your son to give us abundant life.
We put our fears, worries, and anxieties in your hand. We pray for those who are sick, we ask that you will heal our nations, give our leaders wisdom to make decisions for the greater good of the people.
We thank you for the provision you have already made and for all the things you will make available to us. Thank you for supplying our needs according to your riches in glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
