Pray for Government
Your questions are: What is the best way to pray for the government and nation to return to Jesus? Are there prayers, or do you have suggestions as to what to include in prayers?
The government and the Constitution of the United States are based on the Holy Bible and written and formed by the “founding fathers”, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, etc. Unfortunately today’s media, T. V., papers, magazines, etc. tell a different story. But a little historical research tells us the truth that our country was originally, exclusively, a Christian nation. However through the years the U.S. has slipped away from God (Jesus) just as the Israelites did from the time they left Egypt till now.
The conviction in ancient Israel that set it apart from all the surrounding nations and cultures was that it was specially chosen by the Creator to share His blessings in a unique covenantal relationship of redemption. This relationship ultimately accounts for the canonical Scriptures of both OT and NT and must be considered the basic and normative principle, especially for Israelite government, political institutions, and administrative procedures.
Read Judges and see how often God put Israel under pagan Kings. We have been a nation for over 220 years. When the founding fathers said there should be “freedom of religion” they had no thought about “different religions” like Islam, Hindus, etc. Rather their intent was for each state to have a state “denomination”, as each state did after the Revolutionary war. Note: Today each of the 50 states mentions God in their Constitution. And they meant the “God of the Bible”. Now the “freedom of religion” refers to any world religion.
You can see that when it comes to praying for our Government and Nation we are on an up-hill battle. Fifty (50) years ago there were about 150 million people in the U.S. with about 75 million going to church. Now there are about 300 million people but still only about 75 million people go to church. There have been a number of excuses for the drop. But the fact remains, without Prayer and the Bible in the schools, we are in for a struggle.
We have, in this country, a rising sea of corruption and a drop of spirituality in every area of our lives; in corporations, politics, schools, banks even in our churches and charity groups. For example of the people who work for World Vision in foreign lands, 20% are Muslim! Is this a “Christian “ organization?
We can and should pray for our government and nation but it will take the change of heart for every individual. It’s the individuals who make up the nation and the people who make up the government (the politicians). Pray for a revival of each individual, city, state and the nation. But especially pray for Jesus’ will be done here in the U.S. Remember, He taught us that part of the “Lord’s Prayer” that says “…your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..”. So, Jesus wants and commands what we do here on earth MUST be done as He wants it done in heaven.
I have included a few prayers from Scripture that may be helpful.
2 Chron 7:14
I f my people, who are called by my name, will 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 (The word “land” in Greek is country).
Col 1:9-14
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.
1 Thess 5:12-24
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
2 Thess 1:11-12
We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 5:5-11
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Theresa’s Prayer May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use these gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content.
You are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and everyone of us.
Submission to Government: 1 Peter 2:13-17 “ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ProJesus comment: If what the government says differs from what Jesus and the Bible say, ALWAYS follow Jesus!!!!
I certainly hope and pray that this information is helpful. Keep telling all the people you can about the Gospel.
