A Nation In Prayer
Remembering our freedom in Christ, weeping in repentance, interceding for the nation
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Paul here refers to liberty and being made free from our sins, and being no longer in bondage to them. This is true for each believer in Christ—those who have been born-again and set free from the law of sin and death, to a new life in the law of liberty.
As we celebrate in the United States our liberty and freedom to self-govern, fought for and won in 1776, let’s also pray the nation would return to the Lord and live under His headship and rule, living and governing according to His Word, Will and Way. Jesus is King!
America The Beautiful
by Katharine Lee Bates
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Note: Sing this as a prayer, using the italics as a petition unto the Lord.
A Nation In Peril
It’s no secret that more and more in our nation have forgotten their God. Perhaps the Lord has withdrawn measures of His grace and is allowing these issues we face in order to call us back to Him. At what point do we come to our senses and return to the Father’s House, as did the prodigal son?
The problem is sin and the answer is not political, or economical, or cultural. The answer is to repent, seek the Lord, read His word, cry to Him for mercy and grace.
While the world may never do this, the Church must, for ourselves and the lost among us.
To God be the glory.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus said: “Him who comes to me I will not cast out.” John 6:37b
Almighty and most merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your laws.
We admit in our nation, we have sinned against you and done what is evil in your sight; we call good as evil and evil as good. We humbly confess we have not loved you with all, nor have we served you faithfully but have compromised with the world because of selfishness and pride, coveting and jealousy, anger and greed; and we lie and cheat for temporal gain. We have not loved one another as we love ourselves, nor as Christ loved us.
Father in heaven, look down in mercy upon our distraught and fevered world; forgive the mistaken ambitions, the selfish passions, and the defiance against your headship. Forgive what we have been; and forgive us, O Lord we ask you, coming at this time to admit we have sinned.
Give us grace as we approach you now, and power to put away all hurtful things, and be delivered from the bondage to sin, and so be free to walk in your holy ways. And grant, O merciful Father, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and holy life; to the glory of your Name.
It is for Jesus Christs’ sake we pray, Amen.
Prayer of Petition and Intercession
Thank you Heavenly Father, for the freedom we have in Christ, which he purchased for us with his own blood. Thank you for the freedom we enjoy in our country. We are grateful as we celebrate our liberty today that our country ‘tis of thee, this sweet land of liberty, by your good grace and mercy.
Remember, O Lord, your people across the land. May your face shine upon your Church, and deepen her influence and extend her power for good, till the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
Almighty God, creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly ask you to guide your Church, that we may honor, love, and serve you; and be guided by your Holy Spirit, so that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led in the way of truth, be mature and stand firm in your will. Help us proclaim boldly the coming of the kingdom of God, with urgent desire seek the salvation of the unsaved.
O heavenly Father, help us be alert, to stand firm in faith and be strong, doing all that we do in love; to be strong in the Lord and the strength of your might; arm us to take our stand against the evil and to withstand the schemes of the enemy. Fill us anew to the measure of the fullness of you; that we would love your Son as you do.
We pray for our beloved land: for our leaders and governors, and for all who have a part in public service. Make them pure in motive, wise in counsel, and strong in action, doing right in the fear of your holy name. Grant them wisdom and strength to know and do your will. So rule their hearts and prosper their endeavors, that law and order, justice and peace may everywhere prevail to honor your name.
These things we petition, ask and seek from you, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mat 5:16
Happy Fourth of July from Epaphras Prays
Image Credit: Ben White on Upsplash