1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Following this exhortation from Paul, Pastor Daniel had the opportunity to pray for and with our state leaders at the opening of the General Assembly of Delegates in Richmond, Virginia on the recent Pastors’ Day. Also, David Anderson of Capitol Ministries encouraged us at CBC to make this kind of praying a daily habit. God has greatly used both of these men to remind us of our great need and privilege to pray earnestly for our government officials. These men and women need our prayers as they are the appointed “ministers of God” (Romans 13:6).
As we heed the commands of scripture, please consider the words of Pastor Daniel’s prayer for our legislators and join with him in praying for these seeking to lead our state and our nation.
Prayer given at the Capitol to open the General Assembly of Delegates, 2/21/08
Dear Father:
I thank you for this opportunity today to lift up the elected officials of the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are an esteemed group of men and women, for they are, “ministers of God, appointed by God.”
Lord, they need your wisdom, and your mercy, and your grace. They need your wisdom because left to ourselves we cannot govern in truth. They need your mercy because left to ourselves we will make decisions out of selfishness, rather than selflessness. They also need your grace, because in the words of the prophet Daniel, “You, O Lord, are a great and awesome God . . . and we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.”
So, I come to You today, dear Father, and ask that You will hear my prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our land. O God, we desperately need You today, Oh we desperately need You; and, we seek Your hand of divine blessing. These things I ask through the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
I thank you for this opportunity today to lift up the elected officials of the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are an esteemed group of men and women, for they are, “ministers of God, appointed by God.”
Lord, they need your wisdom, and your mercy, and your grace. They need your wisdom because left to ourselves we cannot govern in truth. They need your mercy because left to ourselves we will make decisions out of selfishness, rather than selflessness. They also need your grace, because in the words of the prophet Daniel, “You, O Lord, are a great and awesome God . . . and we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.”
So, I come to You today, dear Father, and ask that You will hear my prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our land. O God, we desperately need You today, Oh we desperately need You; and, we seek Your hand of divine blessing. These things I ask through the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.