A Prayer for Our Nation and for the Courage of the Church

Heavenly Father,

We come before you on this National Day of Prayer hungry for You and for Your presence. You are a gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love. You are faithful to fulfill Your promises to Your people, and You have never left them nor forsaken them. We praise You for Your steadfast love towards Your children, even when we forsake You.

We confess that our nation is steeped in sin. America has turned from You. From the teens in our poverty-stricken inner cities to the most powerful politicians on Capitol Hill, all of us are in desperate need of Your forgiveness.

Because we have forsaken You, our country has become wicked. We organize—and celebrate—the murder of innocent babies, indulge in abominable sexual practices, extort the poor, focus on our selfish desires, and deny our need for You. As Isaiah said, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

But even in our troubles, You still offer light for us who are in darkness. And for that, we humbly come before You.

Father, we do not deserve a second chance at a new life. But through Jesus Christ, You have accomplished what man thought was impossible and have given us that chance. Thank You, Jesus, for finishing the work of redemption on the cross and rising again three days later. Thank You for dying for us while we were still sinners.

But let us not keep this gift to ourselves. We pray that your Holy Spirit would inhabit your people to move into the world with confidence and advance with the Gospel of peace. May our lives be our expression of gratitude for what You have done for us, and may we share the Gospel with all who will listen. Let us walk with courage, knowing that You are with us even in the darkest hour.

God, we pray that You take the hearts of stone from those who have not accepted You and give them new hearts of flesh. Transform their minds and help them stop striving to earn Your love. Let us all find rest in the fact that You love us despite our brokenness.

You have declared that “if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). On this we fall and place our hope.

Thank You for giving ear to our prayers. You are faithful and a gracious Father.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.