A Country Prayer

We all have our frustrations and disappointments when it comes to our country, whether our concerns lie with the government or society itself and its values. However, this shouldn’t be an excuse to become disheartened—in fact, it is all the more reason to speak life into our nation and intercede for it through our prayers. The good news is that God can cause revivals in our country; the Holy Spirit can work in the people’s hearts, no matter how hardened they are (Ezekiel 36:26).

Father in heaven, we speak life and blessing into our country. Bring revival to our nation so that people turn away from their life of sin, see Christ for who He is, and commit to following Him. Move in their hearts, Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Compassion and Commands

Our love and compassion for one another should inspire us to pray for our country. Matthew 9:36 (NIV) tells us that when Jesus saw the crowd, who were like sheep without a shepherd, He had compassion on them. The original meaning of the word compassion is related to the bowels. When we have pain in our stomachs or bowels, we are moved to use the restroom. In a similar way, deep compassion moves us to act. Our compassion for the lost should move us to act, just as it did for Christ, inspiring us to preach the Gospel to them.

The same concept applies to our country. When we see how the people in our nation—whether rich or poor, common citizens or government officials—are all sheep without a shepherd, we know they need Christ. If we want to live in a God-fearing nation where people revere and strive to walk in faithfulness before the LORD, we must encourage them to first surrender their lives to Christ. We cannot expect people to desire to honor God if they are not in Christ in the first place. Hence, if we have compassion for our country, we will pray for it and its people.

As believers, the Bible mandates us to pray for our country. In 1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV), it is written that we are to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings to all people; that includes kings and those who are in high positions. Of course, our nation doesn’t have monarchs like the ones that ruled during the time of the apostle Paul. But Paul is clear about what he is teaching: We are to make prayers and intercessions for the ones who govern our country. Does that exclude us from praying for citizens or the people? Certainly not. Remember that we are called to make prayers and supplications for all people.

What Can I Pray for Our Country?

Of course, you can pray for our country’s well-being. For example, it’s a good idea to pray for a stronger economy with plentiful jobs for all, fairer prices for essential goods, a better quality of life, peace and order, and so on. While these prayers are valuable, it is essential to remember that the most important thing we can pray for is that our nation and its people learn to walk in the light of Christ. 

No matter how excellent a nation’s quality of life, everything is futile if its people don’t know Christ. In John 1:4–5, it is written that in Christ alone is life and the light of all men—people can only find eternal life in Christ alone and light from being in the domain of darkness. It is also in Christ alone that they are freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.) and become the temple of the Holy Spirit in which they grow in the image of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.).

 

Father in heaven, I pray for revival in our country. I pray that You will move in the people’s hearts and that the Gospel will reach tens of thousands in all sectors of our society. Cause our government officials, business leaders, directors of media, academics, scientists, and all other spheres of society to know Christ, repent, and follow Him. I also ask that You bring prosperity to our nation’s economy, granting jobs to more people. I pray that you protect our country from its adversaries and bring peace to their hearts if possible. May peace and order always prevail, and may people have godly values. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

As you pray, know that your prayers are not in vain. The Bible says that the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ).