I recently had the honour to lead a session for a local prayer group. On my heart was to merge the local with the national and even the international concerns. How can a small group of people in an English town dare to speak into international politics? And why would we?
Why Pray?
The nation and the world are in a bit of a mess, yes?
How do we get out of the mess when governments and media are shouting and opposition from other people are shouting, yet nothing seems to change for the better. That’s a good reason to pray isn’t it?
Man isn’t achieving, so perhaps it’s timely to ask for help.
The Bible says,
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, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
That’s the first reason we pray: there is a need and there is a Helper who instructs us on what to do when our nation needs healing.
Does the nation need healing?
Let’s see. We have people crying out against the Prime Minister, saying “Two tier Keir” enables “two tier policing”, preferring those in favour of Palestine and people who push liberal values such as climate change, but clamping down rather harshly on those who attempt to protect or even apply the nation’s traditional Judeo-Christian values.
We have no growth in the economy, with fewer people working and more people on benefits than ever before.
We have a failing health service that used to be the model for the world. An education system that favours those with the lowest potential and seems to stifle or suppress excellence is what seems to be emerging from the current government.
There seems to be a lot of confusion over biology and psychology. And there is an awful lot of fear which seems to be what propels ideas and agendas which, I would say, neither make us healthier, happier, nor more prosperous or peaceful.
And we’re simply running out of peace and money.
Yes, on the scale I’d say we are a country in troubling times.
So, what do we do to make things better?
We don’t complain. We don’t watch. Instead, we pray and lend a helping hand.
What — or whom do we pray for?
First, we pray for our leaders: the king, the prime minister, the federal government, our local government, our local community and our families, homes and friends.
It doesn’t matter your politics or whether you’re pro-monarchy or a republican. Right now, the leaders are who they are. Pray for them to have sound minds, free from corruption. Pray that they will make sound decisions that will benefit the people. Pray that they will not be unduly influenced by their own opinions or their own desires. Pray for favour of GOD upon them. And then watch to see what happens!
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
What if we doubt?
So, what?! What else can be effective? ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem’ is an old adage I am quite happy to support.
“The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16b)
Cancel what you don’t like!
Whatever doesn’t sit right with you, whether it’s posters advertising something you find abhorrent, or a policy which seems counter to your common sense, pray! You can make mountain-moving prayers which GOD can use! And if He agrees with your prayer, He will do what you’ve asked.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
We are praying against forces, not people
Whatever you may understand now, we are praying against forces we can’t see. I call it demonic. You might call it group hysteria or mis-information, or something else still, but we are praying beyond the people we see in power. And so, share what you want to pray with GOD: He whom I call Jehovah GOD, Creator of the Universe; just share your concerns, and wait, watch to see what happens next. I don’t believe there are coincidences but I do believe in answers to prayer.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Share your heart
Prayer can be as private, as intimate, as you decide to make it. And so, you can pour out your heart, sharing your deepest concerns. Get it off your chest, so-to-speak.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
What is we don’t pray?
If we stand together, praying for right thinking and right action, things will change. If we don’t pray, in what direction do you think this nation will go?
Call to action
So, let’s pray for the sake of the nation and its people, for the national and international circumstances. Pray if you believe. Pray even if you don’t. Yes, we need action. The safest first action is to pray for health, wholeness, peace in the nations, and then ask, “What can I do to make things better?”