The one thing Christians can agree on during this volatile season is that our country needs prayer. However, if you’re like me, you may feel intimidated when faced with such a great need. Where do we start? Here are seven simple prayers that will transform this country into a godly and righteous nation.
Dear Lord, let us know who you are and act like we belong to you. Jesus said that because of our unity, the unity of those who belong to God, people will know that the gospel is true. Help us to act like You. Transform us to be like You. Teach us Your wisdom and kindness, generosity and compassion, empathy and love. Transform us so that we can transform the communities in which we live.
For those who are lonely, Lord, let them know that they have a home in You. As you whisper of their importance, forge in them a new identity, that of the son of a King. Let all know that they are welcome in Your Kingdom. And let’s all focus on what we have in common instead of what might divide us, because You created this wide diversity of humanity, and the Bible says that You created us in Your image. Help us to see you in everyone we meet and to draw near with kindness.
Please teach us not to condemn others. Help us to welcome into our lives those who are different from us. Teach us to say “I love you” Y…” instead of “I love you but…” It is Your place to change people, Lord, not ours. Help us guide them to a safe place where they are open to hearing Your voice. Let’s put aside our need to change people and instead put them in your tender hands.
Let us be the light—Your light, Lord. Let us shine brightly in everything we do. Let people all over the world know that You are real by the love they see in our actions. Because You are love, Lord, and Your love changes us. Help us model that kind of love, forgiveness, and kindness so that when people see us, we point them right to You. And help us to remember that grace is not exclusive, it is available to all.
Lord, let this country be a place of refuge from atrocities, cruelty and horrors. Help us fight injustice and change the circumstances within our own country that lead to sex trafficking, homelessness, crime, abuse, addiction, mental illness, unwanted pregnancy, and poverty. Teach us as individual churches how to provide sanctuary, the safe place, that people need and, through your people, bring hope to desperate situations.
Take what is broken and fix it. In our nation, in our communities, in our systems and infrastructure and government. In our homes, churches, families and relationships. In our individual souls. We all harbor brokenness, but there is nothing too big for You to overcome. No situation has more power over us than You. Open our hearts to godly change and get to work restoring, redeeming, and mending. And Lord, show us our part in the process and equip us to go to work with you.
Help us to be grateful for all that you have given us and to be good stewards of everything. —the land and its resources, our bodies and health, our freedom, time, money, access to education and positions of influence. Help us to begin and end our days with gratitude for the freedoms we have and never take the gift of knowing you for granted. We are aware of so many things that are wrong, but help us to never overlook what is pure, correct and holy. Reveal to us the gifts you have already given us.
Kelly O’Dell Stanley is the author of Praying Upside Down Y designed to pray. A graphic designer who writes (or is she a writer who designs?), she’s also a redhead who’s pretty good at controlling her temper, a believer in doing everything to excess, and a professional fighter of doubt and faith. She blogs at kellyostanley.com and calls the small town in Indiana her home.
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