National Day of Prayer 2016
This year the observance of the National Day of Prayer is on May 5. In communities across America, the faithful will take the opportunity to pray for our nation and its leaders. If you feel compelled to pray and want to invigorate your prayers, I suggest using Scripture as a prayer guide, demonstrated here using a few select verses.
The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth, that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chron. 16:9). Lord we need your strong support for our nation, community, work, family, and for ourselves. By your Spirit, move us to give our hearts completely to you, to receive your presence and guidance. As your eyes roam the earth, may they rest on us as having embraced the gospel of Christ in which we find righteousness by faith and the hope of eternity.
Put them in fear, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but men (Ps. 9:20). It is when a nation’s leaders imagine that they have authority reserved only for you, God, that calamity comes. Instill in our nation’s leaders a sense of humility and respect for a greater authority, for in this we the people can enjoy peace and freedom. Thank you that in your Providence, you have accounted for evil among the nations and you will accomplish your purposes in the world.
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation (Ps. 43:1). Lord, we thank you for the freedoms we have enjoyed as Americans, but we understand that these are not guaranteed in this world. We are stunned to see our culture define religious freedom as a form of bigotry, and Christian morality as intolerable. Strengthen us to remain faithful to obey God rather than men.
God be gracious to us and bless us…that your way may be known on the earth, your salvation among all nations (Ps. 67:1-2). The greatest blessing to a nation is for its people to receive forgiveness and salvation, and to live lives loving God and neighbor. Lord, as ambassadors for Christ may our words and deeds make your way known.
To incorporate Scriptural prayer into your devotional life, I suggest you select a Psalm chapter, and as you read each verse let God lead you to a related prayer. Let us join together in appealing to God for mercy on the U.S.A.