Prayers for the Nation and the World

Please join me in praying for the nation and the world on this National Day of Prayer.


Prayers for the Nation and the World

Almighty God, you rule all the peoples of the earth.
Inspire the minds of all people to whom you have committed
The responsibility of government and leadership
In the nations of the world.
Give to them the vision of truth and justice,
That by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together.
Give to the people of our country
Zeal for justice and strength of forbearance,
That we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will.
Forgive our shortcomings as a nation;
Purify our hearts to see and love the truth.
We pray all these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Andy Langford, U.S.A., 20th Century)


Prayers for the Nation:

Teach us, God of every nation,
To see every question of national policy in the light of our faith, that we may check in ourselves and in others every passion that makes for war, all ungenerous judgment, all promptings of self-assurance, all presumptuous claims. Grant us insight to recognize the needs and aspirations of other nations, and remove our suspicions and misunderstandings, that we may honor all people in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(England, 20th Cent., Alt.; UM Book of Worship, 515)


Look graciously, O Lord, upon this land.
Where it is in pride, subdue it.
Where it is in need, supply it.
Where it is in error, rectify it.
Where it is in default, restore it.
And where it holds to that which is just and compassionate, support it. Amen.
(Church of Pakistan, 20th cent., UM Book of Worship 516)


God of all ages,
In your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way,
Reverse our ways and help us to repent.
Give us your light and your truth, and let them guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.
(Presbyterian Worshipbook, USA, 20th cent., Alt.)





Lord Jesus Christ, you are the way of peace.
Come into the brokenness of our lives and our land with your healing love. Help us to be willing to bow before you in true repentance, and to bow to one another in real forgiveness. By the fire of your Holy Spirit, melt our hard hearts and consume the pride and prejudice which separate us.
Fill us, O Lord, with your perfect love, which casts out our fear, and bind us together in that unity which you share with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Cecil Kerr, Northern Ireland, 20th cent., UM Book of Worship 482)


O God, keep our whole country under your protection. Wipe out sin from this land; lift it up from the depth of sorrow, O Lord, our shining light. Save us from deep grief and misfortune, Lord of all nations. Bless us with your wisdom, so that the poor may not be oppressed and the rich may not be oppressors. Make this a nation having no ruler except God, a nation having no authority but that of Love. Amen
(Toyohiko Kagawa, Japan, 20th Cent., UMH 429)


O God,
Just as we look into a mirror to see any soiled spots on our face, so let us look to you in order to understand the things that we have done amiss. We are like a reek shaken in the wind; we are inexpressibly weak. Leave us not to ourselves, but dwell in our hearts and guide our thoughts and actions. Amen.
(UMH 366)