Listen here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/19fe6873/looking-to-god...

Lord God, Maker of Heaven and Earth~

People are looking for answers. Many have erroneously been looking to the government to fix things, as though government, a man or a platform can right the ship. No, Sir. Only God.

Friend, f you had not considered my earlier plea to pray daily for a move of God in America, I humbly ask you again to pray to God on our behalf. For the rest of world, please pray for your country - that the Almighty God of the universe would draw people to himself.

Weekly, besides attending my own local church, I watch the service of a congregation I love in Edmond, Oklahoma. Blessed I am to have a deep trusting relationship with the pastor and many of the people. Following the attempt on former president Donald Trump's life yesterday, Eric's prayer was powerful. With his permission, I bring it to you.

So much truth right here:

'King Jesus, we all live under your authority. We know that every knee will bow and every tongue confess you are Lord to the glory of God the Father. We know there is no nation or tribe or people over whom you do not reign or rule. You are our refuge and strength.

We come to you specifically on behalf of our nation. We mourn and we are shocked. First, we pray for the family of the man who was killed yesterday--Corey Comparator-- in the attempted assassination. We pray that you would meet them in their sorrow. We thank you, Lord God, for protecting President Trump. We know that as a nation, we were an inch away from one of the darkest, most tragic episodes in our history, and we thank you for preserving not only his life, but our nation which might have been ripped apart by a single bullet.

We pray for your continued protection for Mr. Trump and we pray for President Biden as well; we pray for his health and the wisdom to lead well in a troubled time. We pray for clarity, Lord God, to see the truth at this moment. Would You help us to see through the fog of disinformation, of half truths and deception, and to discern reality?

We pray that You would unite us as a nation behind a vision of liberty and rights that come from you Lord God, and you alone, and a government by the people, for the people. We pray that we would repent of demonizing the 'other', but instead speak in uncompromised truth in love, and we would love our neighbors as we disagree and even distrust. Let us trust your sovereign rule and sway above all as your kingdom comes and your will is done.

We thank you God that we are privileged to live in a nation built upon the rule of law and power that comes from the ballot, rather than the bullet. And we thank you for those who braved the bullet so we may live by the ballot. We pray that as a nation we would repent, we would turn from our wicked ways and we would serve you with fear for we know that You are king on Zion on Your holy hill. And let us bend the knee to him and him alone, and honor those You have placed in authority over us.

Thank you, Lord God, that you are in the whirlwind and the storm. You are a very present help in times of trouble and we call upon you now for ourselves and our children and our children's children, and for the world. Amen. 1

Looking inward.  Lord, I do not want anything that would block your hearing or answering my prayers as I have other things to put before you today. Lord, would you forgive me of my sins?  Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.²

Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.³

Looking to You, Lord God.  Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and grace—your assurance that you forgive my sins and remember them no more.⁴

I know I will not pray anything to you today that you are not fully aware of, yet you desire—aye, you invite me to bring it to You ~ for mercy, guidance, blessing and favor.  

Actually, Father, you commanded me to bring every situation to you in prayer!5

Looking outward.  On a personal level, I pray that the things I say and the things I think about will honor You.⁶  When my thoughts go astray, prompt me, Lord, to take a hold of them and correct them.⁷

God, I lift before you those who need a merciful touch from you today—healing for their emotional or mental brokenness, physical illness, relationship with you, family relations or loneliness.  I pray for the confusion in our young people, O God, have mercy on them. I pray for those who are serving You around the world—for your protection and strength and boldness, Lord.  O God, hear my prayer and come in your gentle, kindly way.

Resting my case with God.  I surrender these things to You, Lord God, so thankful that your watchful eye is over all.  Thank you for hearing my prayer.  Thank you for the Bible—for it is truth, a revelation of you, your will, your ways and your plans for me. Thank you for the hope and promise of eternity with you – a place to look forward to all the days of my life.  Thank you for provision of food, water, clothing and shelter, Lord.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, 

Amen.

Always bearing this in mind:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0RRkVuJ5w8

Praying with you and for you today,

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 - First Presbyterian Church, Edmond - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdkZHZ5u86Q&t=1820s

2 – Psalm 139.23-24

3 – Psalm 51.7

4 – Hebrews 8.12

5 – Philippians 4.6

6 – Psalm 19.14 – May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer

7 – 2 Corinthians 10.5 – Taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ