Prayer for Our Nation | Northpoint Church

This week, Pastor John hands over the TAGD keyboard to Dave Dussault, a leader in Northpoint’s prayer ministry and former elder in the church.

Prayer for Our Nation

Dear Church Family,

Independence Day is approaching. At a time when the news fills with reports of men and women openly rejecting God’s holy standards, Christians can easily become alarmed and dismayed. Our culture is not as comfortable as it used to be. We’re feeling shoved to the margins of society and eyed with suspicion. We don’t like it.

It’s time to renew our prayer for our country. We know this, yet we feel sluggish. Like the first workout after two months in the recliner, the spiritual effort seems unnatural and prayer feels uncomfortable. But the need is very real and God’s call on His people is undeniable. We have a duty to pray for our land.

But there’s also a danger: What exactly should Christians pray for? Our great temptation is to beg God to give us back the blessings of the past. Oh, for the peace, prosperity, and security of thirty years ago, when Christianity fit in with society and believers worshipped in peace!

But our longing for the American dream and Christ’s prayer, “Your kingdom come,” follow conflicting affections. God is doing a work in His church that desperately needs to be done. He’s causing us to cast all our hopes on Him alone.

Violence and disorder are increasing in the United States and around the globe. Value systems are in conflict. Unrest is unleashed. If ever America needed the church, it’s now. If ever the church needed her God, now’s the time.

Let’s seek the Lord today. Now. Pray that you, along with all who belong to Christ Jesus through faith, will desire God above all—for yourself and for your neighbor. Ask God for a hunger for Him that never ends and a burden for the lost that moves you to pray for their eternal souls.

Follow Paul’s “Prayer Guide” in 1^st Timothy 2:1-6.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.

Ways to Pray: Paul lists four ways we can pray for others.

Supplications: Requests. Asking God for our needs and the desires of our hearts.
Prayers: Talking to God about anything and everything, respectfully yet freely, as to a loving Father.
Intercessions: Prayers that are specifically for the needs and concerns of others. Pray especially for their salvation form sin.
Thanksgivings: Gratitude to God for all He is and all He does.

Pray for …

All people: Whoever God lays on your heart, for whatever reason. Trust Him to guide your prayers.
Kings: Political leaders at the highest levels.
All who are in high positions: Those in authority. Whoever leads or exercises control over others. People who bear responsibility for the consequences their decisions have on others.

Pray that …

We may be able to live a peaceful and quiet life: God to give us a stable society, suitable to the spread of the gospel and growth in holiness.
We will live Godly and dignified in every way: Pray for believers to live Christ-like lives as examples of Godliness, character, and soundness, that please both God and man.

Pray because …

It pleases God.
It serves His desire for everyone to be saved.

Pray in light of the fact that …

God has provided One Way to become right with Him—Jesus Christ.
Christ Himself paid the price to set us free from sin.
Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all.
The testimony of Jesus Christ—His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection—has the power to save lost souls, heal broken lives, and renew a broken society

If you are interested in resources and opportunities for prayer, contact Northpoint Prayer Ministries at dvdussault@att.net.

Dave Dussault