Today is the National Day of Prayer. Thousands gather on capitol steps, at county seats and city halls, in churches and parks, and online. They are leaving divides behind to lift their hearts and voices as one to our God. My ability to participate in person is limited this year as I spent the day driving around Metro Atlanta for my “tentmaking” job. But I prayed fervently while I drove, adding my prayers to those lifted up in public places. I’d like to share what I prayed in hopes it will inspire you to join in – not just today but every day because God shapes history through the prayers of His people.
Almighty Father, I worship You. The earth is Yours and the fullness thereof. You own every bit of nature preserve, landscaping, and green space. You own every possession and every invention. Forgive us, Father, for acting as if the world is ours and fighting each other for ownership – person against person and nation against nation.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pledge every day to be alone nation under God without knowing what that means. Forgive us, Father, for talking the talk without walking the walk and for lawlessness, violence, immorality, lovelessness, pride, and every other sin You detest while claiming to be a nation built on godly principles.
Let revival sweep from coast to coast, in every state, county, city, town, and village. Open the hearts of Americans to the truth of the gospel. Ignite a hunger to return to You in repentance and faith in the cross of Christ while there is still time – from the tents of the homeless to the mansions of the rich.
Send revival to every Native American nation, tribe, band, and clan. Open their eyes and hearts to the truth that You are the One True Creator, and You welcome them through the cross of Christ. Let it overflow from there to the huddled masses pouring across our borders – legally and illegally – from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
Raise Your mighty right hand against the crime, injustice, violence, and deception that are spiraling out of control.
Break the bonds of darkness, idolatry, addiction, mistaken identity, lies, emotional and psychological disorder, wokeness, and the slide toward a post-Christian society.
Bring healing of the wounds of our violent past – slavery, massacres, oppression of native peoples, and discrimination of every kind fueled by greed. Replace bitterness and resentment with resolve to move forward in a spirit of unity fueled by the desire to build a new America together.
Empower Your Church. Convict us of our divisions, the false teachings we have let prosper, our half-hearted participation in the Great Commission, and our prayerlessness. Let winds of refreshing and new fire blow through every campus, home church, and congregation. Break our hearts for the lost, deliver us from fear, infuse us with boldness and courage, and move us out of our comfort zones to be the light You have called us to be – especially in these days of turmoil.
Father, may the National Day of Prayer be an impetus to plead and pray for our nation without ceasing with God-sized, kingdom-advancing, demon-busting, history-shaping prayer. Shake us awake to the importance and power of prayer and the holy calling of our priesthood, by which we represent You to the world and the world to You before the prayer altar in heaven.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).