Prayers for our government and leaders–current and future–matter more than ever. Whether your concern is for the President, Congress, or the Judges of our land, will you be faithful to pray? Here are three prayers that might help strengthen them:
Prayers for Our Government: A Prayer for Our President
Lord, no matter who is leading our country as President, we offer our prayers on behalf of his/her position. Draw him into a strong relationship with You. Thank You for this one who has pledged his life in service to our country. Give him a true servant spirit, one who is a person after Your own heart. Anoint him with Your Holy Spirit’s power, that he might feel your strength in every situation.
Let integrity and honesty guide every decision as He first looks to You for divine help. Turn his heart from distractions and temptations that could bring harm rather than help to his life, his family, and to the people he serves. Make him a leader in every respect, morally and spiritually strong. Enlighten His mind with discernment, wisdom, and fairness.
When others tempt him to embrace arrogant power rather than humble service, give him an undivided heart. Help him to stand firm, knowing that You will fight his battles with him. May He begin His day with You and Your Word, with gratitude and praise for the honor You have given to him.
Throughout the day may Your Spirit remind him of his purpose and of Your love for him. And when the night arrives, calm his heart with the peace that passes all understanding as he purposes to keep trusting and obeying You, no matter what the cost. As You surround him with godly counselors, give him accountability to them and the people he serves, but first and foremost to You. Bless him with joy when righteousness and goodness prevail. But give him a heart that weeps for the injustices and sorrows around him.
Guard our President against unfair criticism and unfounded accusations. When he stumbles, give him the courage to admit his mistakes. Strengthen his character, guard him against hurtful compromise, and give him a listening ear for the people he serves. In danger, surround him and our country with Your angel protection. From the time he begins in office until his time is complete, may he serve you and our country as a true leader with an undying love, an unswerving faith, and an unending hope in the only One who can make our country great. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for Our Government: A Prayer for Congress
Because you desire all people to be saved, we pray for salvation for every leader in Congress and throughout our government. Capture their hearts for kingdom work so they can help turn the hearts of others toward You and the good of our country, helping us live peaceable lives.
For both Representatives and Senators and all who serve within Congress, give them a desire to promote righteousness: the things that will honor You, not themselves. Cut through any hypocrisy or tendencies to make their names known instead of Your own. Let them experience the joy of sacrifice, honor, and a pure conscience.
Bring a spirit of unity to our Congress, but only with compromises that promote Your good, not godless laws or damaging agendas. Let wisdom and integrity reign in every leader’s life. Keep their goals simple, birthing ideas or laws that will help keep our country safe, protect the weak, heal the broken, and encourage every person to his full potential. Protect them and their families, and surround them with Your angel protection.
Give every leader a strong sense of their destiny, and remind them of their accountability not only to the ones they serve, but always to You, Lord. Open their eyes to Your perspective for decision-making. May Your Word become the truth and guide for all decisions, and may they look to You for the last Word. Raise up strong leaders in Congress, Lord, who will stay the course and work tirelessly to foster peace, fairness, and justice for all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for Our Government: A Prayer for Judges
Lord, You are the supreme Judge and Ruler over all, so we pray for every judge in every courtroom throughout our nation. We pray for their salvation and their ultimate submission to You so they can understand the true principles of justice, mercy, and grace. Give them wise hearts and discerning minds that will interpret truth and uphold law according to the principles in Your Word. May they represent You with dignity and integrity with full accountability to You and the ones they serve. Let them judge tenderly yet firmly for the needs and rights of those who cannot speak for themselves.
Help each judge to see everyone as You do, as people of worth and value. Give them an extra sense of fairness that judges each individual uniquely. Help them to visualize both the need for discipline and restoration as they look at each case presented to them. Protect them and their families from harm, especially when others disagree with their verdicts.
Deliver them from the temptation to bow at the feet of comfort or convenience, seeking to please people instead of You. Keep them balanced in their priorities, loving God, family, and others. As they rule on the laws that keep Your people and our country safe, remind them that their efforts are not in vain. Assure them that every decision matters in the scope of eternity.
Help us to be faithful in our prayers for our government and leaders.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What Does the Bible Say about Our Role in Government?
God Himself first initiated the position of authority. He is the sole Creator and Ruler of the world. The Bible gives Jesus the name of king of Kings and lord of Lords. God first set up the principle of submission to authority by establishing that we were to worship Him and Him alone. From that standard came the principle of submission to all authority. Because of sin, God allowed governing authorities to preserve justice and fairness in the world.
Our role in government is not only to obey the laws of our land. We also need to intercede for those in authority. Obedience means paying taxes, a practice even Jesus taught. We are to offer thanks, stand in the gap for justice, and pray diligently for the ones who represent authority. This pleases God, and His Word says it allows us to live peaceable, quiet, godly, and dignified lives.
When citizens try to take matters into their own hands through lawlessness, peace is disrupted and lives are in turmoil. We are told to respect the position, even if we don’t agree with the person in authority. God is the one who places people in leadership. But we are given the privilege of voting for those, hopefully positioning ones in office who do believe in God’s ultimate authority.
As Christians, however, we are not bound to obey laws that violate God’s moral and righteous standards. When commanded by authority, Daniel and his three Jewish friends refused to worship idols. Peter and the apostles were told to stop teaching about Jesus’ name. But they replied, “We must obey God, rather than man.” We can make appeals, like the biblical Queen Esther. And we can help hold our leaders accountable. But our greatest role in government is to pray. The Bible says when His people will humble themselves and pray, He will hear–and heal our land.
5 Bible Verses about Earthly Rulers and Government
- Romans 13:1-2 NIV: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
- Romans 13:7 NLT: Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
- Psalm 2: 10-12 CEV: Be smart, all you rulers, and pay close attention. Serve and honor the Lord; be glad and tremble. Show respect to his son because if you don’t, the Lord might become furious and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-4 CSB: First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Proverbs 21:1 CEV: The Lord controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers.
God’s Word offers clear direction for leaders in our nation and those in authority. Their responsibilities and duties are never easy. Our prayers for our government and leaders matter. When we pray faithfully and live godly, obedient lives, we can honor God and live peaceable lives.
*This post first appeared on Crosswalk.
*Here is another post I wrote that can help you in praying for our country.
It’s Your Turn
What about you? Will you add your prayers for our government and leaders? Your prayers matter! I love to hear from readers. You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the email will come to me. Your name or info will never be shared with anyone without your permission.
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