Why Pray for the USA?

Here are some FAQs about praying for the USA.

Q: How should I pray for my country?
A: Pray about what is on your heart regarding our country. 
The prayer guides on this site will give you topics to think about, provide scripture references to read and ponder, and suggest specific items you can take to God in prayer.  Many other websites will give you prayers that are already written out, if that is your preference.

Q: Does the Bible have an example of someone praying for their nation?
A: Yes, there are many examples.
Look at Nehemiah chapter 1 to see how Nehemiah prayed for his nation and its land, even when it had been conquered and many of the people had been forcibly marched into exile. 
Here are some lessons we can learn from this example:
 – Nehemiah was emotionally engaged
 – He mourned for days with continued fasting and prayer before God
 – His prayer began with praise for God and states relevant parts of the nature of God
 – Next he asks God to hear his prayers for his people, which he prays day and night
 – His prayer confessed the sins that the people had committed against God
 – He prays scripture back to God, reminding God of His promises and claiming them for his time
 – Then he reminds God that these people have been redeemed by God’s power in times past
 – Last, he asks God to hear His prayer, giving him success as he goes before the king
See how you can apply this prayer example to your prayers now for the USA.
(Refer to the prayer guide for March 27, 2011.)

Q: Do you have any suggestions about regularly praying for my country?
A: Pray individually, as a family, as a group at church, school or work, or wherever God leads you to pray.
One opportunity is to pray every week for a few minutes before, between, or after regular worship services.
Invite others to join you, and make it “child-friendly” so that everyone is welcome and can participate.
Arrange prayer groups of 4-6 people; form as many groups as needed as more people come.
In a group, allow everyone to pray aloud, but make it comfortable for those who prefer to listen and pray silently.
Make it an informal time of sharing, praying and encouraging one another.
Ask God to lead you to other opportunities that exist for you to pray.

Q: Why should I pray for my nation?
A: We believe that prayer is the most powerful thing we can do to help our country.
See if the following questions give you reasons to pray for the USA:
 – What kind of a culture will your children/grandchildren have to live in? 
 – Will they have religious peace or persecution?
 – Are you concerned about the decline in the morals of our society?
 – Does it trouble you that our nation is turning away from God?
 – Do you wonder how God can use our country in world events?
 – Although God has protected and blessed the USA in the past, does it concern you that He might withdraw His protection?
 – Are you yearning for there to be a revival and spiritual awakening across our nation?
 – Do you wonder why God would allow the USA to continue as a nation?
 – What can you do for our country that is more important or powerful than praying to God?

Q: How should I use these prayer guides?
A: The prayer guides are meant to:
 ~ use Bible verses as a basis for our prayers
 ~ be a catalyst to help us think of things to pray about
 ~ provide background material for historical relevance and context
 ~ suggest topics or direction that our prayers might take
 ~ be timeless in message, even if there is a specific topic or seasonal theme
 ~ expand our prayers beyond maintaining our material wealth and protecting our cushy standard of living
 ~ move us towards seeing our country as God sees it
 ~ keep them fresh by using various formats and approaches
 ~ allow you to pray whatever is on your heart, in your own prayer tradition.
So, use them to get you started, and then pray about what is on your heart, using your own prayer tradition.