Busted

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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV)

Ever been 'busted' by God? I got busted a couple of nights ago about my attitude toward our political "leaders" -- and convicted that instead of raging against the machine, I should be praying.

Not the first thing I wanted to do.

But, check this out from Paul's second letter to Timothy:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (2:1-4 NLT)

And then I read this in a book of blessings to read over your children:

I bless you with authority in prayer that transforms the leaders over you. May your authorities grow to have high values because of your intercession for them. May your authorities learn how to skillfully lead those under them according to those values. I bless you with living in a peaceful community because of the high values of its leaders. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I bless you.*

So, still rather unenthusiastically, I have begun anew to pray for our political/civic leaders. I know that prayer is our best weapon against the ungodliness, foolishness, and hurtful spite in our political system - turning these things meant for evil into prayer that leaders and authorities would be turned toward and tuned into God's heart and wisdom.

As you know, we are coming up to a massively important midterm election. Would you join with me in praying for our current leaders, the decisions we the electorate are going to make Nov. 2 and the future of our nation?

Lord, You have told us

Lord, You have promised

That if Your people would pray

That You would hear from heaven

And You would send Your mercy

And touch us with Your strong healing hand

So we're calling out to You

Crying out to You

Forgive us of our sin

Heal our land

As we seek Your holy face

We turn from all our wicked ways

Hear from heaven even now

As we pray**

God, we pray for all those in political leadership and authority over us - from our local governments, through our county and state, and including the federal government. We pray for each person, asking that your Spirit would draw them to you and that they would seek first your wisdom for the decisions they make. We give thanks for people who are willing to serve in leadership and pray that this leadership would be in Spirit-led, God-ordained directions. We seek to live peaceful and quiet lives and know that our governments' decisions can have a huge impact on that . We pray that if any of these officials do not yet know the love, grace, and joy of Jesus Christ that you would even now be working on their heart and spirit so they may know your truth and come into your kingdom.

We pray for the transformation of our governmental bodies into healthy, God-honoring, dignified units. May these authorities grow to have high values because of their relationships with you. May they learn how to skillfully lead others according to godly values. May our community, county, state, and nation be peaceful because of the godly integrity and values you have placed within them.

Forgive us when we do not want to pray as you call us to. Help our nation turn to you for its hope and salvation. Heal us of all unrighteousness and selfishness.

We pray in the name of Christ...heal our land. Amen.

* from Pure Joy by Crystal Wade & Arthur Burk p. 64.

**"Calling Out To You" by Tommy Walker

© 2001 Doulos Publishing (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

CCLI Song No. 3431898