Heavenly Father, we come before you first and foremost pleading for your mercy in our lives. We admit that we are sinners and in need of your grace-filled salvation. But those of us who believe also know that in submitting ourselves to you and uniting with your death in our baptism, we were also raised to life to walk in your righteousness and power. Lord, we admit that we don’t often live in that power, which Ephesians says is like the resurrection power you used to raise Jesus from the dead. But now especially, O Lord, we who are Christ followers and God fearers need to rise up in that holy power that you’ve blessed us with in the heavenly realms.
Lord, even though our ultimate faith and trust must be in you, we recognize that we are stewards of the world and the times you’ve placed us in. As stewards and ambassadors of your kingdom, you have given us the responsibility to pray for those in power over us. You established the institution of government so that mankind might live in peace and order, regardless of that form of government. But as with any position of power comes the temptation to abuse it and oppress those who should be governed in peace. In our great nation of America, we are seeing the abuses of this power laid bare at almost every turn, and no one party or individual in power is solely responsible for this.
We know that mankind are not angels, that we are flawed, and flawed individuals have been leading us for nearly 250 years in this nation. But the flaws have nearly reached the peak of wickedness at the time of Noah. The principalities and powers that you ordained in the heavenly realms to oversee the nations and their government have become drunk with power and wickedness on the blood and toil of the innocents. From the blood of murdered children in the womb to blood in the streets for intentionally keeping people in poverty to lives lost to alcohol and drug addiction to poor state of our own health because of unscrupulous policies to benefit industries that keep us dependent on chemicals, almost everything controlled by the rich and powerful in the earthly realm seems destined to hasten our own demise.
So, Lord God, we come to you praying for the redemption of those powers and authorities in the heavenly realms, as you commanded your church to do in Ephesians. But Lord, we cannot do this with prayer alone. We give you thanks for providing flawed men and women in positions of power who desire to bring justice to the wicked, mercy to the oppressed, and walk humbly before you. We need these people in positions of power to use every tool at their disposal to undo the results of wicked and selfish leaders in our government. Expose the corruption! Punish the wicked, regardless of political affiliation! Let them confess their evil deeds and be treated according to the principles of government and justice you inspired our founders to set forth in the beginning.
Lord, we lift up our voices in prayer and to call others to prayer, especially those who understand the spiritual forces at work. We must with prayers and petitions support those in power who seek to do good, who seek to overturn the wickedness of times past, and who seek to bring restoration to those harmed by evil, greedy men and women. Let your justice be visible for all to see so mankind will know that you are a righteous and holy God. Let your church rise up to care for the poor and truly needy. Let professionals rise up who can bring healing and hope to those afflicted with mental disorders. Let your church shine like the sun into every dark corner, not only exposing the darkness, but finding and restoring those who are lost or trapped in that darkness.
Lord, we humbly but boldly ask for your hand to continue to work through those doing your will and doing the right thing. Raise up leaders where we need brave men and women to take the lead. Pour out your spirit in a double portion on these men and women and let the world see what your kingdom in supposed to be. In the name of Jesus our risen and glorious Lord, AMEN!
Pastor Scott Stocking, M.Div.
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