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God,

As citizens are preparing to vote for US Senators and Representatives, we pray you would give us your wisdom so we vote for men and women that are after your heart.  We pray they would be persons of integrity and honesty, and with a view to not just bring home perks for the home districts but to make decisions for the good of the whole nation.   We pray they would not be rabid ideologues, but persons who are able to pray and think carefully through all aspects of a decision, hold to their core values, and then vote based on what is best, not what is pressured by their political party.  We pray that all Senators and Representatives would live out their oath to support and defend the Constitution.

Amen


"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." - Oath of office for Senators and Representatives

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God,

As this powerful storm finishes and clean up begins,  I pray that politicians would not be able to use it to gain political points in next week's election.  I pray that you would pour out wisdom on the electorate so we elect the best candidates for such a time as this.  I pray that you would use this storm to help us as a nation take a step back from the heat of the campaign and to refocus on the most important things in life.  I pray your Church would help care for those whose lives have been severely affected by the storm and that the Church would work alongside government and private firms to clean up the damage.  I pray you use this storm to bring us new respect for each other as citizens and to bring each citizen closer to you.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

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God of Peace,

You know that the super-storm Sandy is pouring out nature's wrath on the East Coast and many are without power, are flooded, are alone, or are in danger.  We pray that they would know your peace in the midst of this storm.  We pray for emergency and medical personnel, National Guard troops, and governmental decision makers who are on duty. Give them wisdom, strength, and courage to do the best things for their people.  We pray you would calm this storm as you calmed the storm for the disciples - Peace, be still.

In Christ's name,
Amen


Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

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I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed.   (Ezek. 36:26 MSG)

Holy God,

We pray today that by your Spirit you would move across this nation and this world.  Change hard hearts to hearts that are focused on you.  Where we have turned away from you, call us back.  Give us the desire to humble ourselves before you, confess and repent from our sins, and then love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly with you.   Cause a Third Great Awakening to flow into this nation and this world so we can better live as Jesus calls us.

Amen

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“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." - Jesus (Mt. 12:25 NIV)

God,

We pray tonight that you would help our nation be united.  Many, many people are using the current economic and political climates to divide this country.  Her people are divided into focus groups and target demographics instead of understood and appreciated for the strengths and varieties they bring to the nation.  Each person is pushed to identify as "red" or "blue," and then expected to virtually hate the other choice. Our Founding Fathers did not created a "red" or "blue" nation but a United States of America. Help us to honor their work in creating this nation and to not allow ourselves to be ripped apart in this time.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

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God of Hope,

Lift up our hearts when we are bombarded by news of economic woe, national/international strife, hurting people, impending weather catastrophes, and other worries.  Help us to not be discouraged when the ways of the world seem so strong and dark.  Fill us with all joy and hope in our believing.  Remind us that you are the One who is worthy of all praise and worship.  Do not let us make idols of government, institutions, jobs, families, recreation, or anything else.  Focus us on that which is true, noble, pure, trustworthy, and of you.  Help us to relax into your peace, knowing you are always in control.

Amen.


Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  (Phil. 4:8-9 NIV)


Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!  (Psalm 43:5 NLT)

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Omnipotent God,

In these last two weeks before the Nov. 6 elections there are many people voting early. I pray that every vote is counted fairly, tallied correctly, and then recorded accurately.  I pray in the name of Jesus that you would thwart anyone who plans to dishonor the political process - by registering and voting multiple times, by sabotaging election equipment or ballots, by allowing ineligible persons to vote, by altering ballots, by intimidating any voters or election personnel, or in doing anything else that would in any way cause an honest vote not to be cast and counted honestly.  We pray for a voting process free from fraud, manipulation, or dishonesty.  We pray that our election system would function well and the will of the American people would be expressed accurately.

In the holy name of Jesus I pray,
Amen

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Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.(Romans 12:21 GW)

God,

In this bent and broken world there is much evil and darkness.  Yet, you came to be the Light of the World.  Help us, your children, be salt and light in the world.  Help us to love measurably and demonstratively.  When we consider the upcoming elections, help us to see others who vote a different way not as "evil," but as fellow citizens.  Help us to see each person as created and dearly loved by you.  Empower us not to be conquered by darkness and evil, but by your Spirit to be goodness and light for our nation and this world.

In the name of Christ,
Amen.

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Sovereign God,

I pray you would help us elect leaders that would protect the sovereignty of the United States.   I pray that our national leaders - president, vice president, senators and representatives - would protect and defend her Constitution from attacks without and within.  I pray you would cause them to carefully consider what is best for the US when international negotiations, treaties, and agreements are happening.  I pray your hand would hold back organizations like the United Nations from being a force for evil in the world.  I pray you would protect this nation's sovereignty from those who seek to destroy her.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus, come,
Amen

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God,

We cry out again for wisdom for the electorate as it makes voting decisions.  As we listen to this final presidential debate tonight, we pray you would cause the right questions to be asked, the responses to be truthful and fair, and the debate to help us know each of these candidates better.  Help us to ignore those whose blather distorts and confuses truth and instead to seek your way for our nation.

In Christ's name I pray,
Amen

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In our hearts, Lord, in this nation...Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire Awakening
In Your presence, in Your power...Awakening
For this moment, for this hour...Awakening *


God of Power,


As a the nation of Israel was reawakened to your will and your ways under the leadership of Kings Hezekiah and Josiah, may this nation be reawakened by your Spirit to your will and your ways.  Send forth your Spirit for a Third Great Awakening, we pray, and help us to elect leaders who seek your will and your way.  

Amen.




* "Awakening" by Chris Tomlin (c) 2010 worshiptogether.com/Hillsongs

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The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.  (Ps. 24:1 NIV)

God blessed [Adam and Eve] and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen. 1:28 NIV)


God of Beauty and Creation,

Thank you for beautiful sunsets.  Thank you for meteor showers.  Thank you for the beauty of empty, harvested fields.  Thank you for creating the Earth and everything in it and calling it "good."  Help us to be careful stewards of the  Earth's resources.  Help us to use the resources you have given us to care for ourselves and each other, but to not be wasteful or harmful in that use.  May we as individuals, communities, and a nation be wise stewards of our lands, waters, and air.  Help us to elect officials who will make wise resource decisions in such a way that the economy and the people are not harmed.  Remind us not to worship Earth, but to worship the Creator of Earth.  

Amen.

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Unifying God,

This world is a mess.  Nations fight against nations, people against people, brothers against brothers.  There truly is nothing new under the sun.  But you hold your children to a different vision - to see your Kingdom come and your Will be done.   You prayed that your children - your Church - would be united just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united.  So I pray that you would unite your children to seek first your Kingdom and righteousness.  Help us to follow hard after you.  And help your Church in the United States to pray for unity and for Holy Spirit-led revival in this nation.

For the glory of Christ I pray,
Amen


"The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us....
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me." - Jesus (John 17 Msg)

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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deut. 7:9 NIV)

Faithful God,

We know that you keep your promises and all your ways are true.  We pray that the winner of the Presidential election would also be a promise keeper - a man who will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

In Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." - US Constitution, Article II, Section 1

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How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 113:1 NIV)

Those who hate me without reason
    outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
    those who seek to destroy me. (Psalm 69:4 NIV)


Protecting God,

I pray for protection for each candidate for office, especially the two Presidential candidates.  I pray protection around their physical persons, their families, and their close associates.  I pray the Secret Service and others who are entrusted with their protection would know your wisdom.  There were many threats of assassination made last night after the debate* and I pray in the name of Jesus that this evil would NOT come to pass.  I pray that we Americans would not see each other as evil or worthless just because we have different viewpoints.  I pray you would show us the blessing of living together in unity - even in our variety.

In the powerful name of Christ I pray,
Amen



*http://www.infowars.com/threats-to-assassinate-romney-explode-after-debate/

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Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. (Psalm 34:13 ESV)

I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them...to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.

- October 6, 1774.  - John Wesley

Word of God,

You spoke and the universe was created; your Word became incarnate for our salvation; your Word is still alive and a two edged sword. But in this time and our nation words are used to hurt and to intimidate, not to build up or to genuinely discuss.  Words are used to divide. Help us to use words to unite. Help us be careful that we do not harbor hate in our hearts toward our fellow citizens. Help us to still love each other, even if we strongly disagree with others' ideas and positions.   I pray that our words would be kind, would tell truth, build up, and give grace.

In Christ's name I pray for peace.
Amen

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God,

Tonight we ask that you would prepare our nation for tomorrow night's presidential debate.  We pray that the questions asked by citizens at this town hall meeting would be the best and most helpful.  Please grant the two candidates and moderator good rest tonight and good health and energy tomorrow night.  Help them to think clearly, listen attentively, and respond in ways that can be heard by the electorate and that truthfully represent their beliefs and positions.   We ask for your wisdom to be on the electorate as we continue to make decisions and prepare to vote.  We seek your way and will for our nation.

In Jesus' name, 
Amen


 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Mt. 7:7-8 NIV)

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Ruach Elohim*,

Move. Blow. Convict. Call your unbelieving children into right relationship with you.  By your Spirit may there be a Third Great Awakening to start in your Church and move to the ends of the Earth.

For Christ's Glory,
Amen



 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39 NIV)

* "Spirit of God"

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God,

This nation was built largely by hard working men and women who toiled to care for their families and build our communities and nation.  Today there are many, many persons who are underemployed or unemployed because of the economic conditions.  I pray you would help us to make wise choices to heal our economy so these workers can find full employment.  I pray you would help them provide for their families, give them your hope and encouragement, and help the people of your Church to rise up and care for those in need.  

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen


Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might... Eccl. 9:10 NIV

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.  Prov. 12:11 NIV  

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. Prov.12:14

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Prov. 14:23 NIV

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Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-9 NIV)

God,

You chose the Israelites to be your special people and, even after you adopted us Gentiles into your family, you still have a special love for your Jewish children.  Today we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Israel, and all of the Middle East.  Daily we hear stories of deteriorating governments, economies, freedoms, and life for many of the peoples in the Middle East. Daily there seem to be new threats to the safety, security, and peace of Israel.  So we pray that by the work of your Spirit there will be peace in that region.  May the United States government and her people make wise decisions that honor Israel and help to bring about her security and peace.

For your honor and glory I pray,
Amen

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God of Wisdom,

Tonight the two main vice-presidential candidates will face off in a debate.  I pray that you would help each man to give concise, clear, and truthful answers to the questions presented.  And as Americans watch and listen to these two men help us have eyes to see and ears to hear your wisdom.  May we vote in such a way as to honor your Word and your Kingdom.

In Christ's name I pray.
Amen.

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Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider,

Today we pray for the economy - of our world and our nation. We pray that policy-makers would make wise decisions that honor your Word. We pray that you would help us repay our debts, as we are very aware that "The borrower is slave to the lender." Help our nation to make tough choices so we can honor promises made to veterans, elderly, and other vulnerable citizens, but not then burden current and future generations with more debt. Help us to make good choices so our economy can be healthy and everyone - from the poorest to the rich - can see your hope and provision.

Heal us we pray, Amen

² Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴ Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor and life.

⁵ 

 The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is slave to the lender.  (Prov. 22 NIV)

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God, 

As the candidates for political office travel, I pray your protection around them.  Guard their vehicles, their motion, their health.   Give wisdom to the men and women who serve to protect them.   As candidates are away from their loved ones or busy on the campaign trail, hold their families in the palms of your hands.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

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Creating God,

I pray you will rise up a new generation of civic leaders - men and women after your own heart who desire to serve the nation in political leadership.  Give them the wisdom of serpents but the innocence of doves as they serve in these places.   As you awaken this nation spiritually, call forth your children to help lead her out of the current wilderness of sin.   May they be Salt and Light in the roles in which they serve.

For your glory I pray,
Amen


Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:11-13 NIV)

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God says: I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
^30 32 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.  (from Joel 2)

Lord God,

I pray you would send a Third Great Awakening upon our nation.  Pour out your Spirit upon us and turn our hearts and spirits toward you again.

In the name of Christ,
Amen

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An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.  - Prov. 12:17

God,

You said you desire integrity in our hearts.  People are beginning to vote absentee these weeks before the election and I pray each valid vote would arrive and be counted accurately.   May you cause the election officials in every part of this nation to do their jobs with utmost integrity.  

Amen

Gracious God,

You have called us to be Salt and Light to this world.  Forgive us when we hide our lights or don't act in a 'salt' manner in the world.  Forgive our inaction when we could have been praying for our nation, engaged in training up civic leaders, voting, and being Salt and Light in our nation's governance.  When we feel our efforts are in vain - that there's nothing we can do to improve the situation - remind us that a little yeast can make a huge bread loaf.  Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of these days.

In the power of the risen Christ I pray,
Amen

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Loving God,

You have always chosen humans to whom you reveal yourself.  Some like Abraham, Moses, and David had huge national responsibilities to carry out.  Others like Ruth and Samuel walked in faith in smaller, more local ways.  Your hand upon them and so many others steered your people from the time of the ancients until now.  And we need you to continue to steer and guide your people.   Specifically, we need men and women in political office that will seek your guidance and your heart for this nation.  So today we ask that you would cause us to elect into political leadership men and women after your own heart.

In the powerful name of Christ we pray.
Amen.

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All-Wise God,

You said that if we are in need of wisdom we should ask for it.  Tomorrow I pray you will pour out your wisdom on the electorate as we watch this first debate.  I pray each of the candidates would give honest answers that fairly represent their positions and views.  I pray that Americans would listen with open ears, minds, and hearts, and then seek your wisdom so we know what is best for our nation. 

In Christ's name I pray,
Amen


If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn't find fault with them. (James 1:5 GW)

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Jesus,

You came to demonstrate God's love for everyone.  You commissioned your Church to carry on your ministry of reaching the lost, healing the broken, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and caring for widows and orphans.  Yet, we your Church have largely ceded that responsibility to earthly governments.  God, forgive us for not meeting the physical and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters.  Correct our mindset and church culture and challenge us; empower and equip us to meet these needs so the hungry and hurting learn to know and love you, Jesus, and come to rely on you and you alone.

In your name we pray,
Amen