Having just exited the Memorial Day holiday, and in anticipation of the 2016 Presidential Election season, what better time to pray for our country than right now! In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we read these words: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

We have a duty and responsibility, as believers in Jesus Christ, to pray for our leaders in government positions. Below you will find some specific ways that you can pray for our country. I would encourage you to pray over this list in your own personal devotions or during your family worship times.

1) Start off by listing what you are thankful for in regards to our country. Pray and thank God for these many blessings.

2) Specifically pray for the following:

• Our President and His Cabinet – Pray that God would grant to these individuals wisdom and discernment.
• This Week’s Featured Leaders According to presidentialprayerteam.com – Executive Branch = Mrs. Michelle Obama…Legislative Branch = Mrs. Shelley Capito (U.S. Senator from West Virginia)…Judicial Branch = The Honorable Judge Raymond Kethledge (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6^th Circuit)…Armed Forces = Colonel Steven Warren (US Army, Director of Defense Press Operations).
• Christians in Government – Pray that God would grant to these believers boldness, influence, and increased impact.
• Our Military – Pray that our military personnel would experience safety and success in combat zones all over the world.
• Our Economy – Pray for God’s blessings upon our economy in terms of growth and stability.
• 2016 Presidential Election – Pray for the candidates (on both sides of the aisle) that God would be with them in their health and mental focus. Pray too for God’s will to be done.
• Recent Challenges:
  1. Race and Rioting – Pray for peace and racial reconciliation.
  2. New Health Care Laws – Pray for knowledge and understanding.
  3. Immigration Reform Challenges – Pray for wisdom and discernment.
  4. The Minimum Wage Question – Pray for knowledge and understanding.
  5. The Gay and Lesbian Issue – Pray for right to triumph over wrong.

3) End your personal devotions or family worship time by reading and contemplating/discussing concepts surrounding the Apostle Paul’s admonitions in Romans 13:1-7. Ask yourself: Do these commands apply even if I disagree with my country’s leaders?

So often we gripe and complain about our country, but rarely do we pray for our country. Let’s be a people who take prayer seriously and lift up our country (and its’ leaders) in earnest, passionate prayer!

My family and I will be on vacation from May 7-23. Lord willing, we will rejoin you on Sunday, May 24 with Pastor Jon preaching on this particular Sunday. But before I leave town, let me simply state the following:

1) God bless you – “God be merciful to [you] and bless [you], and cause His face to shine upon [you].” (Psalm 67:1)

2) I love you – “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

3) I’ll see you, when I see you – “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)