6-Prayers-for-America- (TO READ IN BOOK FORMAT, OR TO PRINT THIS ARTICLE)

It is clear from the various passages in both the Old and in the New Testaments that it is the will of God that believers should also pray for their government and for the citizens of the land in which they live.  With that in mind the Christian residing in America could and should pray for his country.  Of what things could and should such a prayer be composed?  See the following commands and promises of God!  Then pray this prayer!

Come boldly to the throne of grace! (Hebrews 4:16.)

Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble (Psalm 10:17).

I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all who are in authority…. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (1st Timothy 2:1-3).

Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it! (Jeremiah 29:7.)

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity (Isaiah 13:11).

The Lord is a man of war (Exodus 15:3).

They chose new gods.  Then there was war (Judges 5:8).

All nations that forget God will be turned into hell (Psalm 9:17).

The nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish, and those nations will be utterly ruined (Isaiah 60:12).

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins would be like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they would be red like crimson, they will be as wool.  If you would be willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you would refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword” (Isaiah 1:18-20).

Stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it! (Ezekiel 22:30.)

See the example of Abraham’s prayer! (Genesis 18:23-32.)

Note the prayer of Daniel! (Daniel 9:3-27.)

Prayer:  Dear true and triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the true founder and preserver of my country:

Since I will stand on holy ground (Exodus 3:5) whenever I would come before you in prayer, as the high priest in the Old Testament (Hebrews 7:27), so I must first cleanse myself of mine own sins by repenting of them, and by believing your gospel pledge before I could bring the sins of my fellow Americans before you.  Therefore, I humble myself, leaving behind my prideful heart and laying my selfish soul in the dust.  According to your command (Ezekiel 22:30-31) and to your promise (Psalm 10:17), I now confess the grievous sins of my country, plead with you that they may be forgiven, and pray for the peace of this land from its deserving punishment.  Where should I start?  There is atheism in our colleges, unbelief in our high schools, and rejection of the Creator in the grade schools.   The holy name of Christ is locked out of our public buildings with a vengeance.  The American family is torn by turmoil, robbed of peace and love because its members have cast aside your commandments and gospel – the only remedies for home happiness.  The American workplace reeks of profanity, gossip, and backbiting.   Too many churches deny that Jesus Christ is God, and that his Bible is God’s own truth.  Of these, and of so many other insulting sins, I confess to you, O most holy God.  Though thousands cry, “God bless America!”  how could you bless it when hundreds of millions of Americans reject what is required of them by you to bring down your blessing?  Therefore, I plead with you to forgive my countrymen of their sins, and not to punish this land from sea to shining sea as it so justly deserves.  Hear my prayer!  Spare this people!  Save this land!  Thank you for all of your past mercies which you have poured down upon my country in mighty showers.  May all of civilization note it, and compliment you until the end of time for making us such a highly favored nation!  What patience, mercy, and help you have shown to us!  Bless you for it!  Amen!

If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves, and would pray and would seek my face, and would turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2nd Chronicles 7:14).

Prayer.  Dear Lord Jesus Christ, my only rescue from damnation, my only deliverance from the guilt of my sins, and my only restoration to God’s friendship:

Once in your life on earth you stood before the mighty city of Jerusalem and cried.  You cried because it had rejected you; its church had refused to accept you in repentance and faith; its unbelief, its obsession with worldliness, and the corruption of its worship, you knew, would tragically combine to call down Heaven’s fierce firestorm on this previously highly privileged city.  So, today, you stand in spirit over America and cry.  You cry because this highly privileged land has likewise rejected you. Its people repeatedly have refused to accept you in repentance and faith.  It has rejected you so that its arms could be free instead to grasp every desire of its eyes.  Tears pour down your cheeks because you know of the frightful punishment that is now awaiting America for its rejection of you with such coldness, callousness, and ferocity.  Since past wars, droughts, and depressions have not impressed our citizens to humble themselves before you, one huge war must now be dropped on this country as a rock.  As you weep, you wonder how America could be so senseless.  Therefore, because you are a God of justice, and since such arrogance and unbelief must not go unpunished, may you help me to accept your righteous judgment with humbleness!  Yet I know that you are also a God of mercy.  So remember me according to your unbreakable, biblical promises!  I am counting on you.  Do not utterly destroy America, but after its severe punishment by war, come and heal it, that is, let it recover!  For now, I will obey your biblical commands to humble myself, to confess and to ask forgiveness for the grievous sins of America, and to pray for the peace of this land from utter destruction.  Just the same, bring many in America to repentance to stop this wholesale rejection of you!  I plead this prayer relying only in the blood-bought mercies of you, my Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen!