National Day of Prayer for the Government

2 Chronicles 7:14 says “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul urges us, “…to pray for all people. Asking God to help them; to intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for … all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity,”

Heavenly Father, Creator of all, draw near to us as we draw near to you. Sovereign ruler over the universe, You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and Your promises are steadfast and true. We praise You for Your justice, mercy, and righteousness that fill the earth.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, making a way for us to enter Your kingdom. We open the door of our hearts to You, our Prince of Peace, You have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Fill every part of us with light, we leave nothing hidden from you. Forgive us Lord, we receive your grace and see our shame and guilt carried away by Your living water. Help us all to live as faithful citizens of Your eternal kingdom, in the resurrection power that is at work within us through the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, guide our thoughts, words, and actions. Stir in us a deep desire to seek Your face, to walk in humility and repentance, and to act justly in our communities. Empower us to be a light in the darkness, reflecting the love of Christ in every interaction and decision.

We pray for wisdom for all who govern, from our local city council here in Minneapolis to the state government in Minnesota, and up to the federal branches in Washington, D.C. May they govern with integrity and wisdom, seeking justice and peace, and promoting the welfare of all people.

We acknowledge, Lord, that all authority comes from You, and You place leaders in positions to govern Your people. Lord, bless each person in authority, equip them to act with ethical resolve and to foster a community where peace and justice flourish. We ask that Your will be done through their leadership and that they would be mindful of the least among us. Give us grateful hearts towards our government, to encourage and uphold them honorably, regardless of political or religious background.

Lord Jesus, as our ultimate authority and righteous judge, instill in these leaders the desire to serve faithfully and honorably. Let them remember the great responsibility they carry, not to wield power for their own benefit but to promote the good of all. Help them to render what is rightful to the laws of the land while never forgetting their ultimate accountability to You.

Holy Spirit, guide our leaders in Washington, Minnesota, and Minneapolis to be agents of peace, advocates for the poor, and defenders of justice. Encourage them to be steadfast in their duties, compassionate in their leadership, and bold in their advocacies for equity and the common good.

We pray for their protection, their families, and their advisors. May they be surrounded by wise counsel and uphold the values that bring life and hope to our communities. Let them not be led into temptation or deliver decisions borne out of selfish ambitions but let them seek the greater good that aligns with Your eternal principles.

We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard the hearts and minds of those serving in government. Amen. Holy Scriptures 

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

If my people who are called by my name 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 heal their land.

Psalm 22:28, John 19:11, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Titus 3:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-3,Matthew 22:21, Acts 5:29, Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 4:17, Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:15, John 18:36

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

Daniel 4:17 ESV

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Proverbs 29:2 ESV

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Matthew 28:18 ESV 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

1 Timothy 6:15 ESV

Which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

John 18:36 ESV 

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

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Understanding Federal Department of Justice (DOJ)

 I'm finishing my AdvocacyVolunteerToolkit from Prison Fellowship today. Learning about the growth in prisons, prison budgets and how we arrived with the system of justice we have. I started this training after George Floyd but the ensuing riots have me thinking that people will want "harsher" treatment of criminal activity, not more understanding mental health based corrections. Here's what I've learned:

Drug trafficking offense makes up 50% of the 190,000 inmates in federal. While budgets for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is up to 7 billion annually (more than a quarter of DOJ's budget) capacity is about 50% over-capacity, dangerous for both prisoners and staff. About half of BOP population is housed over 250 miles from home, making it very difficult for prisoners to remain in touch with family. The Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections found that the quality and availability of rehabilitative programs in federal facilities vary widely. More that 60,000 people are released from federal prison each year. 

 - Reminds me of a TV show locked up abroad, it can always be worse - but USA has gotten crazy. My nephew told me about his dad being in jail and the family would go to visit him there in Africa. While terrible it seemed to be more open.

Prison Fellowship federal legislative agenda: Federal sentencing, expanded prison programming and earned time credits, support for post-release reentry programs.

The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act seeks to ensure that punishments are proportionate.  By reducing mandatory minimums in some cases, and granting judges more flexibility in sentencing, the proposed changes will make the criminal justice system more efficient, more effective, and more fair.

 

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Misery and murder

Exodus 1:1-22, http://extremestories.life

Root out prejudice
- our selves then culture
- God sees our hearts

Remember those persecuted
- people stand against authorities all over the world

Rest in God's promises
- cry out to God, he remembers his promises
- hard times don't erase God's promises

Recognize when to resist
- time to submit, time to resist
- submission to civil authority has limits (obey God other than men)
- God honors those who fear him
- October 21, 2017 - 500 years of protestant  reformation
- we have religious freedom and national freedom because others resisted (even losing there lives)

Fight for life
- not just pro-life, anti-abortion

Good for others and glory to God. There is hope, God rules and saves people.

Enemy wants to take out men. All throughout history. Get yourself in a ministry.

http://benlorence.blogspot.com/2016/03/christian-code-of-conduct-for-church.html?m=1

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How Ben Franklin called his peers to pray

On Thursday, June 28, 1787 in Philadelphia, PA - the government of the U.S was stalled after a month of talking. Ben Franklin called his peers to prayer guided by the scriptures. Here's the speech with the Biblical basis of his statements.


Here' Ben Franklin's speech with scriptures he invokes:

Our Imperfection: James 3:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Philippians 3:12; Revelation 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:10	Mr. President: The small progress we have made after 4 or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other -- our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own wont of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their  Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.
God's Wisdom: James 1:5-8; 1:16-18;1:19-21,22,23,25,27 Prayer: Philippians 4:6; John 15:7; Mark 11:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 8:26; Matthew 6:6-8; Luke 11:9	In this situation of this Assembly groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. -- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance.
God's Sovereignty: Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28;  9:18; Proverbs 19:21 Matthew 10:29-31; Psalm 127:1; Genesis 11:1-9	I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.
Daily Prayer: James 5:16; 4:3; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2	I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.

Benjamin Franklin - Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer
Human Imperfection

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National Day of Prayer for Government

You are with us here Lord, We know Christ intercedes on our behalf and the Holy Spirit pleads for us in harmony with Your will. Help us Lord when we don’t know what to pray. We confess our sins and you are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness. We humbly come before you God and seek your face.

We come to you to pray for the Government, that you would help those who serve in all branches. Specifically the executive branch, thank you for the peaceful transition of power you’ve blessed our people with. We thank you for the Legislative branch for the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are many who work long hours doing good work for our nation, world and the future generations.

Each of us is blessed with peaceful, quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity – we are grateful for the religious freedoms we have to share the good news of eternal life and redemption in Christ you’ve given to us. May you be glorified in our lives and let us share Christ boldly with all in our government.

We believe in one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. Jesus you gave your life to purchase freedom for everyone and now we cast our anxieties and cares on you regarding the elections and the judicial branch of government.

We will submit to the government and its officers, knowing that all authority comes from you God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by you. Help us to always be ready to do what is good, to not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. We repent from these actions and attitudes so present in our government and ask for your power in us to be gentle and truly humble to everyone.

Lord God, give us the clothing of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as we trust in you, remembering that you forgave us, so we must forgive others.

Lord we are deeply troubled by the moral decline we see in our government and ask for your mercy on us.  Give us justices who will stand for life, abolish human abortion, who will not allow assisted suicide and protect the vulnerable from “mercy killing”. We know those killed unjustly cry out to you as Abel cried out from the ground and the souls of the martyrs cry out to you, even now.

Thank you for the godly examples of leadership in your word for government officials to follow. Let the government officials be as faithful, responsible and trustworthy as Daniel, always seeking the welfare of the cities they govern. Like Joseph using their power and influence wisely.

You are completely sovereign over all governments of the world.  You have revealed yourself to us through your word and through nature. You are the God of our fathers and your name is blessed forever and ever. Even as we are praying you are showing us your plan of redemption. We are the holy nation of God, called out of darkness into his marvelous light. We look forward to your eternal government to come as Isaiah said your government and its peace will never end. And there will be no more death and corruption.

Back ground info, scripture basis for prayer

Verse	Word (NLT)	Prayer
Matthew 18:20	For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”	You are with us here Lord, We know Christ intercedes on our behalf and the Holy Spirit pleads for us in harmony with God’s will. Help us Lord when we don’t know what to pray. We confess our sins and you are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness
Hebrews 7:5	Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them
Romans 8:26-27	And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[a] in harmony with God’s own will.
1 John 1:9	If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Chronicles 7:14	If my people who are called by my name 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 heal their land.	We humbly come before you God and seek your face.
1 Timothy 2:1-6	I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.	We come to you to pray for the Government, that you would help those who serve in all branches. Specifically the executive branch, thank you for the peaceful transition of power you’ve blessed our people with. We thank you for the Legislative branch for the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are many who work long hours doing good work for our nation, world and the next generation. Each of us is blessed with peaceful, quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity – we are grateful for the religious freedoms we have to share the good news of eternal life and redemption in Christ you’ve given to us. May you be glorified in our lives and let us share Christ boldly with all governing bodies. We believe in one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. Jesus you gave your life to purchase freedom for everyone and now we cast our anxieties and cares on you regarding the elections and the judicial branch of government.
1 Peter 5:7	Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Titus 3:1-2	Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.	We will submit to the government and its officers, knowing that all authority comes from God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Help us to always be ready to do what is good, to not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. We repent from these actions and attitudes so present in our government and ask for your power in us to be gentle and truly humble to everyone.
Romans 13:1-7	Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Colossians 3:12-14	Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.	Lord God, give us the clothing of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as we trust in you, remembering that you forgave us, so we must forgive others.
Proverbs 28:2	When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.	Lord we are deeply troubled by the moral decline we see in our government and ask for your mercy on us.  Give us justices who will stand for life, abolish human abortion, who will not allow assisted suicide and protect the vulnerable from “mercy killing”
Gen 4:8-11	One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. 9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.	We know those killed unjustly cry out to you as Abel cried out from the ground and the souls of the martyrs cry out to you.
Rev 6:9-11	When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters[a]—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
1 Kings 9:22	But Solomon did not conscript any of the Israelites for forced labor. Instead, he assigned them to serve as fighting men, government officials, officers and captains in his army, commanders of his chariots, and charioteers.	Thank you for the godly examples of leadership in your word for government officials to follow.
Daniel 6:4	Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.	Let the government officials be as faithful, responsible and trustworthy as Daniel, always seeking the welfare of the cities they govern.
Jeremiah 29:7	But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
1 Peter 2:17	Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.	You are completely sovereign over all governments of the world.  You have revealed yourself to us through your word and through nature. You are the God of our fathers and your name is blessed forever and ever.
Daniel 2:20-23	Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”
Job 12:23-25	He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
Deepest prayer Daniel 9:3-19 Answered Daniel 9:20-23	12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. 13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him. while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time	Even as we are praying you are showing us your plan of redemption
1 Peter 2:9	But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.	We are the holy nation of God, called out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Philippians 2:14	Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Isaiah 9:6-7	For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!	We look forward to your eternal government to come as Isaiah said your government and its peace will never end.
Revelation 11:15	Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Rev 20:11-15	11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[b] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.	And there will be no more death and corruption.

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Scripture helps used

quicksearch=government&qs_version=NLT

https://www.openbible.info/topics/praying_for_government

http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-interceding.html

http://biblelight.net/Souls-under-altar.htm

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