Session 1
Dear God, hear my prayers for our nation’s leaders
From Amen: A 27-Day Prayer Guide
We all know what it’s like to feel powerless. The person we voted for didn’t win. The board votes down the proposal we spent months working on. A friend or spouse ignores our advice and does what we told them not to.
When what we think is the right thing isn’t what happens, what do we do? We pray.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-3, the Bible teaches us to pray for the decision makers in our lives, regardless of their beliefs, political leanings, or attitude toward us. God places authority in our lives for many reasons: to bring order to chaos, to teach us humility, to give us opportunities to learn submission, and to free us from carrying burdens we weren’t meant to.
While we cannot control the actions of others, prayer gives us direct access to the only person who controls everything. God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He can work through immoral kings and leaders just as easily as He works through moral kings and leaders.
When we commit to praying for those in authority over us, we not only have the power to change a country, we get to see God’s faithfulness in hearing our cries and acting in our lives.
Celebrate
- What makes God easy to trust?
- What are some reasons you can be thankful that God is in control? Let God know why you appreciate His authority in your life.
Anticipate
- When so much of our lives have been focused on local and national politics, it’s easy to forget that our ultimate authority does not reside on Earth. Take a few minutes to let God know what you’re looking forward to when His kingdom comes.
Ask
- Are you doing more praying or complaining about the state of our nation? Ask God for forgiveness for ways you haven’t represented Him well, and commit to praying for our leaders so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, like 1 Timothy describes.
- What do you want to see God do in the hearts of our nation’s leaders? Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, or anything else they need to lead our country well.