God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances (CoVID-19 pandemic), our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we can tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. He stands ready to respond to our needs when we humbly ask for divine intervention in the affairs of men and women.

As we Pray for America, whose pledge of allegiance recounts that we are “one nation under God,” and whose currency states that it is “in God we trust,” we want Americans to encounter the God who rules over their country. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to humans, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is His name.”
—Amos 4:13 NIV

He is the One who gave us this promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As we humbly and diligently seek Him, we’ll be changed, and we’ll see transformation in America through prayer!

 

PRAY FOR SEVEN CENTERS OF INFLUENCE IN OUR NATION

GOVERNMENT

Pray for your leaders and judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity. (I Kings 3:28; I Timothy 2:1-2; Exodus 18:21; Romans 13:1-2)

Federal, State and Local Government

Pray for our President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Congressional Leaders, Supreme Court Justices, Governor, Mayor, City Counsel, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Judges, County Officials

MILITARY

“He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them…and encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him only is the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles…’” (2 Chronicles 32:6-8)

Courage and dependence on God (Psalm 91)

Perseverance to endure hardship (Isaiah 43:2; Deuteronomy 31:6)

Divine protection from the enemy (Romans 5:1-5)

Protection and support for the families they have left behind (Romans 1:8-10)

Chaplains who are divinely appointed to deliver hope and spiritual strength (Proverbs 4:11)

 MEDIA

“…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Christians in media to find favor and be filled with creative ideas that bring kingdom principles and life-giving messages to the public (Proverbs 2:1-15)

All people in this industry be provided with repeated opportunities to hear and receive salvation (Proverbs 8:35)

BUSINESS

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working…” (Exodus 31:3-4)

Integrity among Christian workers so that they win the right to be heard (I Chronicles 29:17)

Impartation of ideas and resources to open principled businesses, especially in areas that need an economic boost (Psalm 132:15)

Christian workers to display Christ-like humility and service to their co-workers (Philippians 2:3)

EDUCATION

“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)

A return to truth and Judeo-Christian ethics (Psalm 1:1-2)

Excellence in educators (Exodus 18:20-21)

Equal opportunities for every student to achieve their full potential (Philippians 1:9-11)

CHURCH

“So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:6-8)

The church would find a new zeal and commitment to the mission and purpose of Jesus Christ (Matt 22:37)

Unity with and among churches that reveal God’s love to the world (John 17:23)

A return to the absolutes of God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3)

Integrity–that God’s people look and act differently from the world (I Peter 2:11; 1 Corinthians 13:6)

FAMILY

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

Unity and love in individual families that reach out in hospitality toward others (Romans 12:9-13)

The re-establishment of relationships between parents and children (Malachi 4:5-6)

A return to family values that serve the whole nation (Job 22:21-22)

A return to the biblical mandate to train their children at home in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6)

 

2020 NATIONAL PRAYER FOR AMERICA

Lord, we exist to give You glory. We exist because of Your glory, and in Your glory, as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We give You thanks and praise for every breath and moment You have given to us. We repent of our sin; for the shameful things we have done against You and for our silence when we did not speak up to proclaim Your Name, profess Your Word, or protect and practice Your will. We ask Your forgiveness. We pray that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will spread across our nation and the entire earth as we seek Your Kingdom and righteousness; as we walk in obedience to You, and in humble unity, love for one another. Jesus, the Bible says that You are “the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” You have taught us to pray, commanded us to love, and commissioned us to share Your gospel of grace. Your glory fills our hearts and families, it overflows into our neighborhoods, workplaces, campuses, churches, in our entertainment and media. We give thanks for our military and ask that Your glory would spread to, and through them as they preserve freedom around the world. We pray for our government, that all our leaders and laws would be filled with Your glory, that they would magnify Your Holy Word and honor Your will and ways. We pray that Your grace and glory would spread to bring hope to the hopeless, and love where there is hurt and hate. God, use us as we pray your promise, that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

In Jesus Name, Amen!

 

Kathy Branzell
President, National Day of Prayer Task Force

 

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation”. The president is required by law (36 U.S.C. § 119) to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952, although earlier days of fasting and prayer had been established by the Second Continental Congress from 1775 until 1783, and by President John Adams in 1798 and 1799.