READ 1 Timothy 2
Praying for our nation’s leaders.

INSIGHT
Praying for our state, national, and world leaders is a Biblical responsibility and should be a part of our regular time with God. The ultimate focus of our prayers for our country and its leaders is evangelism. Paul teaches that we are first to pray that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (v. 2). In a free and peaceful setting, our love for God should flow easily and, therefore, evangelism should be a natural result. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (v. 4). Is this your greatest desire as well?

PRAYER
Because we live in a land where we can freely worship God, we praise Him:
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord.
Proclaim his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
His wondrous works among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and highly praised;  
he is feared above all gods
(1 Chronicles 16:23-25).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Lord, who can dwell in your tent?  
Who can live on your holy mountain?  
The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,
And acknowledges the truth in his heart —
Who does not slander with his tongue,  
Who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor,  
Who despises the one rejected by the Lord  
But honors those who fear the Lord,  
Who keeps his word whatever the cost,  
Who does not lend his silver at interest  
Or take a bribe against the innocent —
The one who does these things will never be shaken
(Psalm 15:1-5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver refined in an earthen furnace,
Purified seven times. You, Lord, will guard us;  
You will protect us from this generation forever
(Psalm 12:6-7).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Non-Christian friends with whom to share Christ
• Integrity among our national and world leaders
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses,
But we take pride in the name of the Lord our God
(Psalm 20:7).