Prayer for the American Church

January 1995

Thank you, Lord, that you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. You will not always accuse, nor will you harbor your anger forever; You do not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is your love for those who fear you. (Psalm 103:8-11)

You forgive all our sins and heal all our diseases. (Isaiah 53) You satisfy our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagles. (Psalm 103:3,5)

Create in each of us a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of our salvation and grant each of us a willing spirit to sustain us. (Psalm 51:10,12)

O God may you search no longer--may you find us, tonight/day, and make us to be men and women, boys and girls that will stand before you in the gap on behalf of our land so you will not have to destroy it or allow us to fall as a nation. (Ezekiel 22:30)

O Lord, forgive us for walking in our flesh, for quarreling, strife, jealousies, and for accusing each other; for gossiping and holding unforgiveness in our hearts when you have so graciously forgiven us; for being prejudice of other denominations or races; for our selfish ambitions and complacency when there are so many who desperately need you all around us; and for acting independently of you and even sometimes blatantly disobeying You!

Lord, give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlighten the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:18) so we can see and hear and desire what you desire and know you and all the power of the resurrection we have inherited in Christ. May we be people that walk in purity of thought and deed with integrity in the fear of the Lord. Here, tonight/day, by the power of the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus, we loose the chains of injustice and untie the chords of the yoke to set the oppressed free. We take authority over and break every chain of bondage here tonight/day.

May America once again be a country that upholds righteousness, love, faithfulness and justice (Isaiah 58, Proverbs 14:34). Do not allow us to fall prey to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one and his schemes! (Matt. 6:13)

Above all, may we fear Your name and love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And may we walk in unity so that the world will know you and your love (John 17), for you have promised great blessing on the people whose God is the Lord! (Psalm 144:15b)