Finding the WordsNäide

Dear Lord Jesus,

We praise You for the common grace You extend to people on this earth. In Your wisdom and for Your purposes, You have established governing authorities on the earth to bring security and order to our lives. Beyond that, you have also given governments the job of prosecuting wrongdoers for the good of society. All these things are designed to keep stability so that we might live godly lives, and so that many would come to know you, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior.

Lord Jesus, forgive us for our sins related to those in governance over us. Forgive us if we have elevated them to a position of too much exaltation, attention, and adulation. Forgive us also if we have only criticized them and not prayed for them. We thank You that there is forgiveness in You for the sins of our past, and hope in You to live the life You have called us to live in the future.

So we now pray for those in leadership in our city, state, and country. May they know the edges of their authority, and understand Your sovereignty over them. May they have wisdom in their leadership, championing the things that lead to life and punishing the things that lead to death. We ask that they would be instructed by Your Word as they establish policies, not because we want to “win” and make our religion seem more important, but because we know that You are the author of life, and Your ways are always better than our own. And we pray that You would, in Your grace, allow us to see You change the hearts of men and women throughout our country in this environment. We know the job of spreading Your Word is the job of Your church. You have saved us. You have sent us. You have equipped us. Let us love others in Your name, and point others to You, that You might be glorified in all things.

We pray these things in the name of the King of Kings, AMEN