PRAYERS FOR OUR NATION By Janet Grunst

 PRAYERS FOR OUR NATION

By

Janet Grunst

“I exhort you therefore, that, first of all, 

supplications, prayers, intercessions,

and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life 

in all godliness and honesty.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2

At various times throughout our nation’s history, our leaders have called for days or periods of fasting, humiliation and prayer. Even before the American Revolution, the men who served in the Continental Congress were men of faith and understood that the prosperity of a nation depended on its religious vitality.

A “Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” was called for June 1^st, 1774 in Boston. On March 16^th, 1776 a broadside was distributed by Congress calling for a “Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer”, for citizens throughput the colonies to “confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his (God’s) righteous displeasure and through merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness.”

Congress continued to call for days of fasting and thanksgiving at least twice a year throughout the Revolutionary War.  They understood that the prosperity of our new nation was dependent on God’s mercy. Congress appointed chaplains for itself as well as for the various branches of the military to provide for the spiritual support these bodies required.  

Since then there have been numerous occasions during turbulent times over the centuries when national leaders and clergy would petition Americans to humble themselves, repent, and seek God’s mercy to preserve and prosper our nation.

As we approach our national election during this critical time in our country, please pray for the following:

~ That all Americans will become informed about the candidates and issues.

~ That all eligible American voters will exercise their right and responsibility to vote.

~ That nothing will impede the rights of the military and other Americans abroad to have

      their votes counted.

~ That the media will be honest, and unbiased in their reporting.

~ That the integrity of our electoral system will be preserved.

~ For God to grant wisdom, discernment, integrity, and courage for our elected                

        representatives.

“If my people, which are called by my name, 

shall humble themselves,

and pray, and seek my face, 

and turn from their wicked ways;

then I will hear from heaven, 

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14