Praying for Our Nation
This post is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Tomorrow will be the National Day of Prayer. This is a great time for a brief reminder of the importance of praying for our nation.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-8, we read “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
Paul urges believers to pray for their nation. This is something that should be a regular part of our times of prayer. Though we are related to all humans, God has called us to this specific nation as our homeland. So although we fervently pray for our missionaries abroad, we also have a responsibility to pray for our country.
In particular, Paul mentions several specific things. First, we pray for our leaders who have been given authority. We pray for them, and specifically that they would be given the wisdom to lead in a way that lets us live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness. Second, we are to pray for the prospering of the Gospel here in our nation. God desires to see people from every group walking with Him, and Jesus is the only Mediator Who can bring us to God, so we pray for the expansion of the Gospel right here in our own nation. Third, while we pray with passion, we pray without anger or an argumentative, bitter spirit. Even when we disagree with our leaders, our prayers for them should not sound like diatribes, but rather pleading for God to work in and through them.
There will be a gathering at Lawyers Mall at the State House in Annapolis on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 6:30-8 PM. I encourage everyone who can make it to come out and join with other local believers in praying for our nation. And then let’s make this a regular part of our times of prayer.
In Christ,
Bret