Our nation is going through a difficult time. Due to this novel virus, people can’t work, kids are being school at home, sports can’t be played, churches can’t meet, small businesses can’t make ends meet, families can’t make ends meet. Everyone I know is affected in some way. No one is getting out of this pandemic untouched.
What I don’t understand is with everyone, every single person on the planet, somehow being impacted by this, why there is so much criticism directed towards our government. There is so much division, so much controversy over how to handle this illness that is ravaging our nation. There are so many opinions and so many news outlets only reporting one side. Somewhere in the middle, there is truth. Neither side has all of the answers, but together they could do so much more for our country.
It’s easy to criticize the one making the decisions when you don’t have the entire story, when you aren’t in the room to hear all of the information, and all you have is your own perspective. Our leaders have to consider the perspectives of everyone in our nation. What is great for one group is people may only be mildly helpful for another. What is okay for the majority may have a negative impact on a smaller group. These are not decisions that are easily made.
To want our president to fail during this crisis, is to want our nation to fail.
I have not voted for every president that has held the office. I have not agreed with every decision of every president. I have not agreed with some of the decisions of the presidents I have voted for, and I have agreed with some of the decisions of presidents that I did not vote for. They are men. They are human. They are not perfect. They are not infallible. I choose to believe that they are doing the best they can. They were not trained on how to handle many of the situations they have to face each and every day. There are no “flight simulators” for this job. And in the case of what our nation is facing today, there is no precedent to study.
What can we do during this time to help our government? Whether we agree with them or not, whether we voted for them or not, we can pray for them.
James 5:16 tells us that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Prayer is a powerful tool. It is a way that we talk to God. It is an opportunity to lift up our leaders and ask God to help them as they face this uncharted territory.
In fact, we are called to pray for our leaders.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
I hope you will join me for the next week in praying some specific scriptures over our government.
Day 1 – Let’s pray that our leaders will seek God first.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
We need leaders who will seek God’s will first; leaders who will choose what is right over what is popular. Leaders who are not swayed by peer pressure or the desire to conform. Let’s ask God to give them a heart that seeks His will above all else. Even when they receive criticism for being leaders of faith.
Day 2 – Let’s pray that our leaders will seek wise counsel.
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” Proverbs 11:14
We need all perspectives represented as they seek to find a way to help the economy, to protect our health care workers and to get the country up and running again. Pray that God will put the right people in the right places to share their wisdom with those who are making the decisions for our nation. There is not one person or one party who has all the answers. Working together gives them and us the best hope of ending this crisis.
Day 3 – Let’s pray that our leaders will be strong and courageous.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
We need leaders who are strong and courageous. We need leaders who will listen to all of the facts given to them by all of their advisers and make decisions that are in the best interest of the country. We may not always agree with their decisions. They are humans just like we are and don’t have all the answers. They are under a tremendous amount of stress, and yes, while some will try to use this to their advantage, many will not. Many will only want to do what is best for the people they serve. Let’s ask God to give them strength to serve with courage and conviction.
Day 4 – Let’s pray that our leaders will devote themselves to prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
I would imagine our leaders have packed schedules and it is difficult to find time alone to spend in prayer with God. Let’s ask God to give them a little extra time that they can spend with Him. Time that they can seek His will. Time that they can turn to God and lay their burdens at His feet. God will lighten their load. He will give them the wisdom they seek, they just need to ask. Let’s pray that our leaders will have the hearts and the desire to spend each day in prayer as they guide our nation.
Day 5 – Let’s pray that God will give them strength so they don’t grow weary.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
I can’t imagine the schedules that our leaders are trying to keep each day. I feel certain they are not getting much sleep and barely have time to eat. Physically, they must be exhausted. Let’s pray for their health and that God will grant them strength that is beyond understanding to make decisions, to complete tasks, and to find ways to fight this crisis.
Day 6 – Let’s pray that they will work together in unity.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
It breaks my heart to see all of the division in our government right now. Both parties claim one objective – “to care for and protect the American people.” Let’s ask God to unite them as they face this pandemic. Let’s ask God to give them hearts and minds to work together. To talk things out instead of yelling, to listen instead of trying to be heard, and to put politics aside so that the people can be put first.
Day 7 – Let’s pray that our leaders will guard what has been entrusted to them.
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.” 1 Timothy 6:20
While this passage is specifically speaking to Timothy about guarding God’s word. I believe it applies in our situation today. We have been entrusted to the care of our leaders. Let’s pray that God will give them a heart to guard the people who have been entrusted to them. Let’s pray that they will look past party lines, selfish desires and backroom deals in order to put the peoples’ best interests first.
These are unprecedented times in our nation. Emotions are running high, fear is rampant, panic is spreading. I pray that we can all unite for the good of our leaders and not believe everything we hear in the news. I don’t want this to go down in the history books as a fail. I would much rather that my grandchildren hear about how all Americans came together. They erased party lines, they linked arms and on their knees lifted up their leaders to our Almighty Father and through those prayers, God blessed our nation.
With Eyes on the Cross 