When you find yourself wanting to pray for our country but not sure what to pray, allow Scripture to be your guide.
By Marissa Postell Sullivan
Regardless of whether this week’s election went the way you wanted it to, it serves as a reminder to believers of the need to pray for their nation. But it can be difficult to know how to pray for our country. What is the right prayer to pray? How do we pray for the good of our nation and the glory of God?
If you find yourself wanting to pray for our country but not sure what to pray, allow Scripture to be your guide. Praying Scripture helps us focus on what God says is important rather than on our own fears, hopes, or desires.
Although we often like to believe our thoughts are without error, only Scripture is truly without error. Because Scripture is entirely truthful, we can’t go wrong with praying Scripture. This also gives us confidence in our prayers. When we pray Scripture, we can be confident we are praying in accordance with God’s will. And John tells us, “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14, CSB).
So, how does Scripture lead us to pray after the election? Here are five ways we can confidently pray for our nation following the election.
1. Pray for leaders and authorities
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. – Romans 13:1, CSB
Our nation’s current leaders and future leaders have been instituted by God. He is not surprised by who is in the White House now or who will be on January 20. God has sovereignly placed governing authorities in their positions for His purposes.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6, CSB
Though we may be tempted to wring our hands over the outcome of this election season, God is not distraught. As Paul and Timothy wrote to the church in Philippi, the believer’s call is not to worry but to pray. Rather than allowing anxiety to build in our hearts over the state of our nation, God calls us to place our faith in Him, presenting our requests to God.
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2, CSB
Paul’s words to Timothy remain relevant for believers today. The call is to pray for everyone—including those in authority who we may or may not agree with. Petition for, pray for, intercede for, and give thanks for those in authority.
“Rather than allowing anxiety to build in our hearts over the state of our nation, God calls us to place our faith in Him, presenting our requests to God.” — @marissapostell Share on X2. Pray for justice and righteousness
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. – Proverbs 14:34, CSB
Pray God would shape us to be a righteous nation, that we would be a nation marked by righteousness and not sin. Ask Him to give us hearts that despise sin and prize righteousness. Pray He would make righteousness triumph over sin and evil throughout our nation.
But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream. – Amos 5:24, CSB
Pray justice and righteousness would abound in our country. And pray our nation would not neglect one for the other but that we would uphold both justice and righteousness. Pray we would be a people who pursue justice and righteousness despite the potential costs.
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8, CSB
Pray that we would be a nation that pursues what is good—justice, faithfulness, and submission to God. Ask for wisdom to know what this looks like in our current context. And pray for courage to live out the call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
3. Pray for unity
Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. – Matthew 12:25, CSB
Division is easy, but unity takes effort. This effort is necessary for a people to succeed. Pray the Lord would unite us so we can stand. Pray for unity where division previously prevailed. And pray He would strengthen our nation through unity in Christ.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17, CSB
The enemy delights in division. Pray we would become a nation united in truth. Pray that we would be a people who know and accept the truth. And pray God would give Americans a desire for Him and His Word so we would know the truth and be united in it.
May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. – John 17:21, CSB
Pray the church in America would be a picture of unity for both our country and world. Pray God would unite His church and strengthen its witness in the world. And pray that through our unity, others will see the fruit of the Spirit and God would be glorified.
“Pray God would unite His church and strengthen its witness in the world. And pray that through our unity, others will see the fruit of the Spirit and God would be glorified.” — @marissapostell Share on X4. Pray for well-being and prosperity
Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive. – Jeremiah 29:7, CSB
Even when the Israelites were living in exile, God called them to pray for their city’s well-being and prosperity. God wants us to pray for the good of our communities. Pray for the good of those around you—those you agree with and those you disagree with, those in your neighborhood and those across the nation. Pray for a community and nation that thrives.
5. Pray for revival and God’s will
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:10, CSB
Pray God would establish His kingdom even now. Ask for God’s will to be done on earth and in our nation and in every decision that impacts our communities and the nation. Pray that God’s kingdom would be on display in our nation, giving us a glimpse of His kingdom in heaven.
Will you not revive us again so that your people may rejoice in you? – Psalm 85:6, CSB
Pray for revival in our nation and for hearts to turn to God. Ask for a revival of faith across our nation and that we would become a people who are devoted to the Lord. And pray that people throughout our nation would be able to rejoice in God as they are changed by Him.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
