Do you struggle with the division that is growing in our nation? Does it seem like every time you turn on the news or scroll through social media, everyone is fighting about everything? There is so much anger and hurt on all sides, it can leave us feeling confused, overwhelmed, and disappointed. What can we as believers do when the problems in our country are so big and we feel so small? Below are eight verses and prayers that you can use to partner with the Lord and other believers in lifting our nation up to our Heavenly Father and to encourage yourself in the hope of the gospel.
1. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14 NLT
Heavenly Father, our nation is hurting. There is so much confusion and anger on all sides. I don’t have the answers, but I know that You do. I pray that You will help our nation find its way back into Your loving embrace. May I do my part to clothe myself with love in all my interactions today so I can help point others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” – John 13:35 NLT
Lord, Your word tells us that You are love, and as Your followers we are called to love others like You have loved us. Some days it’s hard for me to be loving, especially with the people I don’t see eye to eye with. Please fill my heart with Your love for those I don’t agree with today. Help me to see people as You see them so I can love them more like You do. When we don’t see eye to eye, show us how we can find a way to walk hand in hand, especially with those in the Body of Christ. In the name of Jesus, amen.
3. Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
Father, harmony and peace seem to be in short supply these days. The more I see in the world today the more frustrated and discouraged I become. In this moment when division is high, may this be a time when our nation turns once again to You. May we be a people who exude joy. Teach us how to grow to maturity. Show me how I can encourage the people You bring across my path and empower me to do my part to live in harmony and peace today. In Your Son’s name, amen.
4. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. – Ephesians 4:3 NLT
God, I praise You that You are the perfect example of unity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I ask that You turn the hearts of our nation to Yourself once again. May we become a people who are more united and conformed to Your image. Help me to make every effort today to keep myself united in Your Spirit and to bind myself with peace, especially with other believers in my church and community. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
5. 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. – 1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
Heavenly Father, I pray for You to heal our country. Show us where we have fallen away from You and may we take steps to realign with Your will. May You help our leaders to have a heart that seeks after Yours. I know our leaders carry a heavy burden and I ask that You give them the wisdom and strength they need today to honor You in the decisions they make on our behalf. Bring revival and restoration to our country. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
6. No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 NLT
Lord, I cannot control what others do, but I can control what I choose to do, and I choose to follow You. Show me what You require of me as I head into my day. May I act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Teach me what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the places I will walk today and may those I connect with feel Your love for them through me. In His name, amen.
7. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. – Romans 12:10 NLT
God, some days I struggle to love those around me, let alone the people in our nation I disagree with, whose voices seem so loud in the landscape of current events. As I pause in Your presence right now, may You transform my heart in this moment so I can love those I disagree with in the genuine affection that can only come from Your Spirit. Show me how I can not only express honor to them but to delight in the call You’ve given me to honor them today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
8. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world. – 1 Peter 2:12 NLT
Heavenly Father, it’s hard to follow You in this country right now. There’s so much noise, things are moving fast, and it seems like it’s all heading in the wrong direction. I pray that You would bring our nation back to You. Teach me how I can live properly among those who don’t know You. May others see You in me so they will give You the honor You deserve, and they may find their way back to You. I pray all these things in the most powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
