The Bible is clear that, as believers, our “citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior” (Philippians 3:20). But it is also apparent that we still have an earthly home. Living in these two realities can be quite challenging.
Paul, in 1 Timothy 2, gives us a little bit of guidance on this subject, specifically in regard to praying for earthly leaders:
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 come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
We are literally urged to make supplication (beg God sincerely) and to intercede (come to God on behalf of) for all people, specifically “for kings and all who are in high positions”. The scope of these prayers of supplication and intercession encompasses how we live our lives and are aligning ourselves with God’s desire for “all people to come to the knowledge of the truth”. Let us respond by praying for the American people and our current and prospective leaders during this election season. Let us also pray that many in both categories come to know Christ!
During this time when people are typically at each other’s throats politically, let us be on our knees in prayer, seeking God’s mercy and grace. This does not negate any other type of political activity or engagement. But it does recognize that seeking the will of the holy, sovereign God of the universe is literally the most we can do in this situation. It is good do one’s civic duty; but it is imperative that we seek Christ daily.
Over the next thirty days, we will look at and pray specifically for what God’s Word has for us our own hearts and minds, our nation, the election, the candidates and incumbents, the Church, spiritual warfare, and that God would grant revival to break out in America!
Sunday, October 4
Pray for God to give you wisdom – not just in regard to the election, but also to follow Him. Ask Him to lead you by His Holy Spirit and guide you through His Word. Ask Him to examine your heart and the choices/positions you are for/against and that He show you how those stances line up with His Word.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6
Monday, October 5
Pray again for God to give you wisdom and that His wisdom will impact the way you live your life – not just how you vote. Just as His wisdom is pure, ask Him to cleanse you of your sin. As His wisdom is peaceable, ask Him to not only give you peace but to let you be an agent of peace for Him. Ask Him to make you gentle and open to reason as you converse with your neighbors, all of whom may not hold the same views as you. And ask Him that the mercy that He has shown you be evident in your life as you genuinely and sincerely bear fruit for Him.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17
Tuesday, October 6
Pray to God about the issues that are troubling you in your community and country. Let the issues that concern your heart be poured out to Him. Bare your soul to Him. Ask Him to be your refuge rather than looking to a politician to fill that role. Ask Him in His strength to solve the issues that pain you. Ask Him to give you strength to be part of the solution rather than merely worrying or talking about it. Ask Him to help you realize that He is not far off but that His help is “very present”, even in the things that trouble you about events, circumstances, and issues facing this country today.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Wednesday, October 7
Pray to the Lord and call upon His name. Trust that He hears you. Ask Him to move upon your heart that you may seek Him – not just in this election season, but for all time. Ask Him to remove idols from places of worship in your heart. Ask Him to grant you repentance where you need it. Ask Him to give you the hope and refreshing that comes from His presence as you seek Him.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Thursday, October 8
Pray to God and trust Him today. Ask Him to give you an eternal perspective in regard to this election. Ask Him to help you to trust Him no matter the outcome of the election. Tell Him that you trust His judgment and will for your life and for the future of this country. Tell Him that you trust Him more than the electoral college or your political party of choice. Ask Him to grant you the faith you need to believe that He has all of this under control despite the news and social media fear-mongering and trying to convince you otherwise. Trust in His Name – the name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ – over chariots and horses, and even elephants and donkeys.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
Psalm 20:6-8
Friday, October 9
On behalf of our nation, pray that people will turn away from their sin and to God. Ask God to soften hearts and allow people to share the gospel in their communities, cities, states, and all across this nation. Ask God to give you opportunities to share His gospel. Thank Him for coming and dying for our sins. Thank Him for raising from the dead. Thank Him for the opportunity to trust Him to be saved and pray that lost people around this country turn from their sins and to Him.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
Saturday, October 10
Pray for God to open people’s hearts and minds to His gospel and the wisdom that comes from His Word. Rather than focus only on how America was built on biblical wisdom and values, ask God to make it so once again. Pray that God’s Word will bring the correction we desperately need. Then, ask God to pour out His Spirit on us and make His Word known throughout this nation.
How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 1:22-23
Sunday, October 11
Pray for people who are walking in darkness. Rather than condemn them in their sin, remember that there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1) and ask God that He help them to fear Him and obey His Word. Ask Him to remind us and the world that He is the Light. Thank Him for shining. Ask Him to grant our nation the opportunity to turn from darkness to His Light.
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
Isaiah 50:10
Monday, October 12
Pray to God and thank Him for the freedoms that we celebrate in this nation. Ask Him to preserve those freedoms that we may serve Him and His Kingdom. Ask Him to grant you repentance for wasting the religious freedoms here in America and taking them for granted. Thank Him for the example of those in persecuted countries who practice in persecution what we do not in freedom. Ask Him to give you opportunity and freedom to worship and serve Him. Then, do it!
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Tuesday, October 13
Pray to God and thank Him for the freedom and liberty that America represents. Ask Him to again let her shine as a beacon of right judgment and fair treatment. Ask Him to allow opportunity for reconciliation from whenever her people fall short of those ideals. Ask Him for opportunities for our nation to help those who need it. Thank Him for rendering such help to us in our times of need. Ask Him to help you to see the needs in our communities and to allow you to be a part of His work locally to benefit this nation.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.
Zechariah 7:9
Wednesday, October 14
Pray to God that His wisdom will be like a necklace for you during this election season. Ask Him to help you examine your behavior and speech in regard to this election. Ask Him to guard your steps and help you not to stumble as you navigate rough political waters. Thank Him for the Life that comes from Him and ask that He help you live it well and not stumble.
My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:21-23
Thursday, October 15
Pray that God’s wisdom will influence your mind as you contemplate which candidates, parties, and/or platforms you support and are planning to vote for. Ask Him for insight in the midst of crooked media and campaign strategies. Ask Him to bring His Word to your mind when you need it so that you may not forget to whom you belong. Ask Him to bind His Word to your thoughts and that your mouth have opportunity to share the hope contained within it.
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:5
Friday, October 16
Pray for God to guard your behavior and character as the election draws closer. Pray that God will season your verbal speech as well as your social media presence. Ask Him to grant you opportunity to keep you mouth closed if need be. Ask Him to strengthen your thumb on the delete key rather than using it to tear down others. Thank Him that He gave you mercy and grace when you were His enemy. And ask Him to allow you to forgive those who vote and support differently than you.
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:15-16
Saturday, October 17
Pray for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Pray for the democratic party candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Pray for the third party candidates. Ask God that any and all of these who may not know Him as Lord and Savior will have the opportunity to hear His gospel, repent, and believe. Ask Him to fill those who are saved with His Spirit and give them the courage to follow Him alone as they lead or campaign. Ask Him that all of the candidates “come to a knowledge of the truth”. Ask Him for firm conviction for leaders to live “godly and dignified” lives in every way. Thank Him for the gospel and the life change that it brings through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
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 come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Sunday, October 18
Pray that God give His wisdom to those currently leading our country and to those who hope to one day fill those positions. Thank Him for those who lead who claim to know Him. Ask Him to fill those leaders with His Spirit and allow them the freedom and courage to practice what His wisdom shows us in His Word. Ask Him to let their understanding and practice praise Him and give Him glory.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Psalm 111:10
Monday, October 19
Pray to God to give firm conviction to us and our brothers and sisters across America. Ask Him to help us to see how He would have us to vote. Ask Him to keep us on the firm foundation of the Rock that is Jesus. Ask Him to keep our convictions firmly founded on the truth found in His Word. Thank Him for the faith you have in Him and ask Him to guard it for you.
If you are not firm in your faith, you will not be firm at all.
Isaiah 7:9b
Tuesday, October 20
Pray for God’s protection from evil for our leaders and candidates. Ask Him to not only protect them from the evil around them but also for the evil that is within their own hearts. Ask God to guard and protect us from the evil that Satan wants to reign in this and all lands. Thank God for the victory that He has already won. Ask Him to show us clearly what is evil and what is good that we may follow Him in all our ways.
You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
Psalm 12:7-8
Wednesday, October 21
Pray for the Church in America. Pray that we will truly be unashamed of the gospel. Ask God to give us the courage to share His Word that we may see Him save people and work in this nation. Ask Him to give us faith enough to stand and live on His gospel in our every day lives.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17
Thursday, October 22
Pray for the witness of the Church in America. Ask Him to allow us to be salt and light. Ask Him for the opportunity to examine our presence in our communities. Pray for opportunities for healing where others have done great damage. Thank Him for the freedom we have in Christ, and, while so doing, ask Him to give opportunities for that freedom to exhibit love instead of selfishness. Ask Him to strengthen your local faith family that you may be known for your love for Christ and each other and not for hate.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
Friday, October 23
Pray that the Church will be known for Christ-like characteristics above any other reputation. Ask God to give our local faith families unity based on our relationship with Him. Ask God to grant us the opportunity to be of one accord and mind as we are about His Kingdom work. Thank Him for your brothers and sisters in Christ and ask that He help you to genuinely see others more “significant than yourselves”. Ask God for opportunities, during this season and beyond, to show that we care about the interests of others and not just those nearest and dearest to our hearts.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
Saturday, October 24
Pray that God provide strength for His Church to respond to the wickedness in this world as Christ did rather than responding out of the wickedness in our own hearts. Ask God for the strength to live out the gospel in our lives. Ask Him for the opportunity to lead people to Him instead of distracting them. Ask Him to help us win souls to Him rather than winning arguments. Ask God to free those who see themselves as our opponents from the snare of Satan and grant them repentance that we may lose enemies by gaining brothers and sisters in Him.
The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Sunday, October 25
Pray that God will help His Church persevere and endure so that the gospel may be proclaimed. Ask Him to open our mouths to proclaim His Word. Pray for your brothers and sisters in your local faith family. Ask God to strengthen them. Pray for those in your local faith family who are charged with shepherding and preaching. Ask that God strengthen them and give them bold witnesses and opportunities to make much of Jesus.
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel….
Ephesians 6:18b-19
Monday, October 26
Pray that God will help His Church to look more like Him than the world around them. Ask God to renew our minds and remind us of the transformation that takes place when we move from being dead in our sins to alive in Christ Jesus. Ask Him to help His people to be able to “discern what is the will of God”. And ask Him for the strength to follow in those convictions.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Tuesday, October 27
Pray that we handle God’s Word well. As we notice people around us being blind to the gospel and teachings of God’s Word, pray that God would open their eyes to see the truths of Scripture. Ask God to make sure that our own eyes are open to His truths, as well. Ask God to help us to not be “underhanded” in our use of His Word and not to let us “lose heart” in the midst of the spiritual battles we face.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:1-4
Wednesday, October 28
Pray that God will show you “how you walk”. Ask that He help you to look at your personal walk with Him and see any deficiencies. Ask that He strengthen your walk and to help you to follow Him more closely. Ask that He make clear through His Word what His will is and to allow you to understand it. Ask Him to protect you, your family, your faith family, and your nation during these evil days. And ask that He help you to use the time that you have wisely and for His glory!
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Thursday, October 29
Pray that God strengthen you with His strength and protect you as only He can. As we “wrestle” with Satan’s forces, ask God to help us to trust in Him in the midst of the struggle. Thank Him that the victory has already been won by Him! Ask Him to help us to rely on that victory and not be overthrown by the “schemes of the devil” or to be used by Him to advance His schemes.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Friday, October 30
Pray that God will move powerfully across this nation and save people. Ask God that He remind you what it is to be saved and how He saved you. Thank Him that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”! There have been great revivals – Great Awakenings – in this country in the past, and they only come from Jesus. Ask that God will spark revival and awakening again. Ask that He make a way for us to get the gospel out and see people saved as in Bible days.
…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved…. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-10, 13
Saturday, October 31
Pray that God will produce a “humble” and “contrite…spirit” in you – that we will repent of our sin regularly and follow after Him. Ask God to help you to “tremble at [His] Word” – to have such a reverence and awe in reading it and hearing it preached that it impacts the way you live your life. Thank God that for making all things come to be. Ask God to help us to look only to Him for help and Life.
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:2
Sunday, November 1
Pray that our nation will learn to “tremble at [God’s] presence” in worship before it learns to in judgment. Ask God to make His name known among those who do not know Him. Thank God for the “awesome things that we did not look for” – things He did because He is God and knows best for us! Thank Him for acting on behalf of “those who wait for Him”! Ask Him to help us to make Him and His Word known where He has planted us so that people can see His surpassing worth and glory and turn to Him.
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence – as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil – to make your name known among your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:1-4
Monday, November 2
Pray that God will grant us the mercy and grace that we so desperately need. Ask God to give us strength to “hold fast our confession” and be faithful to Him. Thank Him for being our example. Thank Him for taking care of us in our weaknesses. On behalf of those in this nation who do not know Christ as Lord and Savior, “draw near the throne of grace” and intercede on their behalf. Genuinely ask God to save people. Pray for lost people you know by name and ask God for the opportunity to share His Word with them.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Tuesday, November 3
Pray that God grant you peace no matter the outcome of this election. Thank Him that, no matter who sits in the Oval Office, He is on His throne now and forevermore. Ask Him to come quickly and that our hearts will find more joy at His coming than in the returns being counted from a ballot box. And ask Him to give you an opportunity to share Him and His gospel today so that you will have cast an effort that will last longer than four years, showing that our hope is truly in Him.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalm 33:22
Just Keith Harris 