A Prayer for a Nation

I come to you today with an exhortation from 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

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.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior.

We are being called to prayer today, so please bow before the Lord with me.

Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the people who bear your Name as we bow before you.   We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.  May your eyes be open toward this nation day and night.  May you hear the prayer your servants pray over this beautiful country you have given us.   Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

We give praise to you, the Lord God, the God of Israel, you alone do marvelous deeds.  Praise be to your glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with your glory.

We lift before you our national leaders, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and the Congressional Delegations, both of the House and the Senate that serve with them.  We lift before you our state governors, Governor Dalrymple and Governor Dayton, and all those who serve with them at the state level. We lift before you our city leaders, Mayor Walaker, Mayor Voxland, and Mayor Matterson, and all those who serve with them at a city level.

For these great men and women we continually ask you to fill them with the knowledge of you and your will.  Fill them with all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that they may live lives worthy of the Lord and of their calling to serve the United States of America, North Dakota and Minnesota, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo.  Let them bear fruit that both points to Christ and blesses our nation.  Strengthen them with all power according to your glorious might.  Bless them with great endurance, energy, and patience.

We lift before you all who serve us in Judicial capacities.  For these great men and women we continually ask you to fill them with all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that they may live lives worthy of the Lord and of their calling to fairly, justly and wisely serve. 

We lift before you all those who serve in our military and all those who love them.  For these men, women, and children we continually ask you to fill them with the knowledge of you and your will.  Fill them with all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that they may live lives worthy of the Lord. Place your hedge of protection around them.  Strengthen them with all power according to your glorious might.  Bless them with great endurance, energy, and protection.

We lift before you, ourselves.   We ask that you would give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Christ better. We pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope you have given us. We ask that we would know and live the riches of your glorious inheritance and your incomparably great power for all of us who believe.  Make us worthy of your calling in our own lives so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.   We pray all these things so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Amen and Amen