Patriotic Prayers

Years ago, nighttime prayers uttered by child number two were often sprinkled with the following intercession, “Dear God…please be with everybody and take care of everything.” You could hear the burden in her voice. She didn’t know how to verbalize worries that stretched farther than her bike could travel. Her concern for the world touched me.

Lately, I’ve found myself offering up the same prayer. I feel a burden in my heart for the world but in particular for my country. Doc and I frequently pray for our leaders——local, state and national. But the truth is it doesn’t take long (5 minutes of my nose in the paper or eyeballs on televised news) to feel completely overwhelmed with concern.

I hear her voice in my head and I whisper our daughters same petition “Please be with everybody and take care of everything.” But as the Fourth of July approaches I’m convicted to pray specific scriptures for our country. A few examples would be:

“Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Psalm 46:8-10

“When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it—But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.” Proverbs 28:2-4

“Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.” Proverbs 28:16

Would you pray with me for our country?

“Heavenly father, we thank you for the abundant blessings of living in the United States. We thank you for the freedom we have to worship you. We are grateful for the safety of our homes and the cities we live in.

Father, would you please protect our country? The world is overrun with strife, wars and “rumors of wars.” We pray for a hedge of protection around our cities, states and country. We intercede for our leaders and ask that you would grant them insight and discernment. Turn their hearts toward you so that our country may find favor with you.

This fourth of July, we are mindful of those who have made unimaginable sacrifice as we celebrate our country’s freedom. We are even more mindful of your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your son for our personal freedom. We love you for who you are and thank you for all you have done for us.

In the precious name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.”