PRAYER FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY ON AWAKE THE DAWN

 Bible text: 1 Timothy 2:1-3

(New King James Version)

2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 (for kings and  all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

This is the lord's will concerning the nations. Every instituted authority is recognised by God and he instructs that we pray for them. This is the good and acceptable thing to do as believers. Many times we fall into the error of castigating, and judging the people in authority but today God  wants that we rather pray for the salvation of souls. Nothing can change this country or her leaders as much as prayer can. Often we do not consider it a necessary part of our prayer points.  Bible instructs that we pray for the peace of the land where we live. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach. When the righteous is in authority the people rejoice. Many things are going wrong today  because Christians have chosen not to engage in serious prayers over their nations. We forget that in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God answered Solomon and said, 

"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 sins and heal their land". 

As we sing along with Mercy Chinwo in this song of Lamentation, let us pray in our own words, with deep groaning unto God for our nation and for the future of our children.

See Also: Awake the Dawn; Reckless love

PRAYER: Father we thank you for this opportunity to bring our country before you this day. We thank you for keeping us together as a nation up till now. Even in the midst of all the uncertainties, one thing is certain; you love Nigeria and you've blessed us beyond measure. You make us the pride and envy of nations by the way you intercept every calamity that comes to swallow us. For this we thank you immensely. We pray that in your mercy you will forgive us all our failings as a nation. We confess and repent of every atrocity being perpetrated in this nation: bribery, corruption, nepotism, greed, avarice, hatred, injustice, oppression, marginalization, wrong governance, economic sabotage, lies, senseless killings and unrepentant sinning. Forgive us father we pray and have mercy on our leaders. Grant that they begin to live in fear of you no matter who they are. Humble them and let them do your own will and not their own. Save us from sorrows, pains and untold hardship in this nation. Thank you for hearing us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!