We who are serious Christians know that fervent, sustained, effectual prayer moves the heart of God, and the heart of God moves the world. But, it is one thing to pray; it is another to pray effectively. Regarding a prayer for righteous government, no prayer is more in line with God’s perfect will than the one Jesus taught us, which includes: “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10 KJV).

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After worship, our prayers should always begin with God’s agenda, not ours. These words should form the basis of what we are praying for. Following this should necessarily come repentance, for “…if my people…shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chron. 7:14), as God instructed Solomon, we can be sure He will hear and respond to His Word. We should repent of the numerous national sins that currently burden our country, as well as those committed by our respective states and localities, not forgetting our own transgressions against the Lord’s majesty. Then, and only then, can we humbly share our own concerns for our apostate nation, which has been moving away from God for well over 50 years.

A relevant prayer for the election season would be: “O Lord, raise up the righteous and cast down the wicked; You know who they are.”  Then perhaps, “O Lord, please save us.  We know we don’t deserve it, but we ask that You do it for Your great name’s sake.” 

A model for this is found in I Samuel 12:19-25.  We would do well to learn it.

 – Jim Kohlmann, Intercessors for America, Florida State Director