Prayer for Government Leaders Using Scripture
This prayer for government and political leaders is based on promises from the Bible as we pray that God will give government leaders wisdom and fairness. It can be used as an ongoing prayer for government leaders or can be prayed after an election, a transfer of power or during times of government transition.
Prayer for Government Leaders Using Scripture
Dear Ruler of the Universe,
We thank you that call us to live together under of the rule of law and under the leadership of governments of every kind. We look to your word in the Bible that tells us “that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (I Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)
We are grateful for this strong word of guidance from a writer in an age when rulers could be good or bad and when the people had little or no say about who ruled or how they ruled. Therefore, give us the grace to pray for the good and the bad leaders alike, those we agree with and those we disagree with, as your Spirit empowers and leads us.
We stand on your promise that you can guide all those in leadership positions as it says in your Word, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21;1-3 NIV)
And so Father we pray for our government leaders that they will have guidable hearts. Help them to have a true sense of service. Fill them with a healthy realization that although they may exercise earthly power, You are ultimately in control of all destiny including theirs.
Fill them with a desire to obey the law of love which transcends all man-made laws. Grant them a desire to serve justice rather than convenience or personal political advantage.
Surround our government leaders with good advisors. We pray the grace of Proverbs 19:20 for them, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” We pray that you will add to their wisdom the gift of patience as it says in Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
And we pray these men and women will be: “A (person) of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a (person) of understanding is even-tempered.” (Proverbs 17:27 NIV) Help our leaders to be quick to pray, quick to deliberate and quick to seek advice. Help them to be slow to speak or act on impulse, out of anger, pride, greed or desires to strengthen their own power and control.
We pray that our government leaders will establish domestic peace and prevent evil doers from prospering as it says in your Word, “A wise king winnows out the wicked.” (Proverbs 20:26 NIV) “Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.” (Provers 16:12 NIV) “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV) Guide our leaders in defending our communities from threats of lawlessness within our borders and from outside of our borders.
But most of all, give our government leaders a deep and abiding faith in you. We claim these promises for them today, “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” (Proverbs 20:27 NIV)
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7) Give our leaders a strong, trusting relationship with Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd that our leaders might in turn be truly good shepherds of their flock You have entrusted to them.
We pray in the name of Christ the Everlasting King, Amen.
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Copyright Karen Barber 2012 All rights reserved.
