We come before the throne of grace with hearts burdened for the leaders of nations and the people they serve, lifting up the beautiful land spoken of in Daniel 11:41 and the peace of Jerusalem as commanded in Psalm 122:6. Father, we acknowledge that You alone reign supreme over all the earth, as declared in Revelation 19:6, and we thank You for Your sovereign rule over every kingdom, president, prime minister, king, and governing body. You have established all authority, and we pray they would recognize Your hand guiding them, as Proverbs 21:1 reminds us: "The kingβs heart is in Yahwehβs hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."
We lift up our leaders before You, whether we agree with them or not, for Your Word commands us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to offer petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all who are in authority, that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and reverence. This is good and acceptable in Your sight, for You desire all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Father, grant them wisdom that surpasses human understanding, humility to seek Your counsel, and the courage to speak truth with love, as Jesus did when He declared, "For I have not spoken from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak" (John 12:49).
We pray for godly alliances among free nations, that they would stand firm against the schemes of the enemy and the influence of evil alignments. Lord, expose and eradicate false teachings, false prophecies, and persecution of Your people, for Your Word warns us that deception will abound in the last days. Instead, we ask that You open doors for the Gospel to be proclaimed with boldness, that nations may be discipled in the name of Jesus Christ, as commanded in Matthew 28:18-20. Let the light of Your truth shine brightly in every corner of the earth, breaking the chains of darkness and leading many to repentance.
We thank You for leaders who strive to honor You and govern with integrity, aligning their worldview with Your Word. We are grateful for their efforts, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 instructs us to pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. Yet we also recognize that all leaders, even those who do not acknowledge You, are under Your sovereign control, as Romans 13:1 declares: "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God." Father, we ask that You would turn their hearts as You did with Cyrus, using them as instruments for Your purposes, even when they do not realize it.
We confess that You are working all things according to the counsel of Your will (Ephesians 1:11), and we trust that You will thwart the plans of the wicked, as Psalm 33:10-11 assures us: "Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect. The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we hold fast to the promise of Romans 8:28, that You work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
Father, we submit ourselves to You, resisting the devil so that he will flee from us (James 4:7). We submit to the authorities You have placed over us, as Romans 13 instructs, and to the spiritual leaders You have appointed in the Body of Christ, for they keep watch over our souls and will give an account (Hebrews 13:17). We put on the full armor of God, that we may stand against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-20). Clothe us with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Let us pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, and watch with perseverance for all the saints.
We ask for Your loving-kindness and truth to surround our leaders and all who dwell in the beautiful land. Send Your angels to encamp around them and protect them from the schemes of the enemy, as Psalm 91:10-11 promises: "No evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways." We thank You that the angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Let them be a hedge of protection around our leaders, their families, and all who serve in government.
We take comfort in the truth that Christ, who lives in us, is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Greater is He who is in us than the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to destroy. We thank You that when we pray according to Your will, You hear us, and we know that we have the petitions we have asked of You (1 John 5:14-15). With thanksgiving, we present our requests to You, and we ask that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Father, we pray for the salvation of leaders who do not yet know You. Soften their hearts to receive the Gospel, that they may turn from their ways and embrace the truth of Jesus Christ. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). We pray that they would come to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent (John 17:3). Let Your Holy Spirit convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and draw them to repentance.
We also pray for the people of the beautiful land and all who dwell in nations across the earth. Protect them from harm, provide for their needs, and let Your justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream (Amos 5:24). Raise up godly men and women to lead with integrity, and remove those who persist in wickedness, for You reign forever, and Your kingdom endures from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34-35).
Lord, we ask that You would save the worst, bless the best, and guide them all according to Your perfect will. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and all things are in Your hands. We trust in Your unfailing love and Your faithfulness to fulfill every promise. May Your name be glorified in all the earth, and may Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.