Praying for the Nation
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 10/25/2020
Foundation Scriptures:
This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. 6 Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. 7 Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.” Jeremiah 29:4-7 The Message Bible
First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, 2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. 3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, 4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth. 5 For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 AMPC
1. It is the Will of God That We Pray.
a. We are to pray for ALL men, all people—to offer petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings on behalf of all men.
b. We must pray for God’s will to be done.
c. The most important prayer we can pray is for them to know and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
d. We are to pray for our own nation and people.
e. We are to pray specifically for all those in positions of authority—the godly and the ungodly.
f. This is for our own welfare and benefit.
g. 1 Peter 4:17 KJV — For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
h. The condition of the country is directly related to the condition of the Church—whether it is hot and on fire, or lukewarm and compromised.
i. He needs His children to trust Him and to make themselves available to be used by Him.
j. He prays—through us—His perfect will into being in the earth.
k. God has given us both the authority and the responsibility—we must use it.
l. If WE do not stand in the gap and pray, no one will.
2. Pray for Leaders.
a. When God commands us to pray for something specific—e.g. our leaders—we should take it personally and hear and obey Him.
b. Almighty God is the One who brings kings up and brings kings down, when we pray.
c. Daniel 2:21a says that God, “changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.”
d. He gives power to kings, and he takes their power away (ERV).
e. Proverbs 8:15-16 KJV — By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
f. Almighty God delegated authority (exousia) to man—to govern righteously and to maintain order.
g. Under His authority, human governments exist to help Him carry on moral government and enforce moral laws.
h. They are responsible to Him and will be judged by Him.
i. Christians are not to leave government up to the ungodly—they should vote and also pray about entering public life to promote good government and ensure the freedom of the Gospel.
3. Almighty God Graciously Hears and Answers Our Prayers.
a. Joshua 10:5-14
b. Five nations gathered to fight against Gibeon, because they had made peace with Joshua and Israel—so Joshua had to come to Gibeon’s defense.
c. Joshua 10:8 KJV — And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
d. The enemy fled, with Israel in pursuit, but they would have escaped because the sun was going down—so Joshua commanded the sun and the moon to stand still.
f. Joshua 10:13-14 KJV — And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies…14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.
g. God caused the sun and the moon to stand still—for a reason—for His people to fight, prevail, and win the battle!
h. John 9:4 AMPC — We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work.
i. The sun is fast setting on the horizon of time, but we need more daylight to bring in the harvest.
j. I am convinced that God will grant us still a few more hours of daylight to bring in this harvest!
4. America MUST have Another Great Awakening!
a. America is still not ready for what is coming.
b. We must move quickly!
c. Psalm 2:8 KJV — Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
d. Zechariah 10:1a AMPC — Ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter or spring rain.
e. The latter rain represents the gathering of the great end-time harvest at the end of the Church age—before the coming of the Lord.
f. We are living right now in this prophesied season of the latter rain.
g. We are commanded to ask Him for this great harvest, and He promises to give it to us.
5. We Must Continue to Press in and Pray for America.
a. PRAY for this nation to be shaken.
b. PRAY the Lord of the harvest that He send forth laborers.
c. PRAY for the provision for the laborers to reap the harvest.