Prayers For Government
Prayers For Government
Prayers
for
GOOD
GOVERNMENT
2016
Scriptural Prayers for Good Government
© 2015 BridgeBuilders International Leadership Network, Phoenix, AZ.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture verses are quoted from the NLT.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored online, or transmitted
in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—with-
out attribution to the author and the publisher, according to U.S. copyright law.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ADORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CONFESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THANKSGIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SUPPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
A SCRIPTURAL PRAYER
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH,
ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Introduction
Dear Friend,
G
od’s Word encourages all Christians to be involved in making their
nation a stronger, healthier place. Scripture tells us that praying for our
leaders is one of the best ways we can do this.
It is better to pray for governmental leaders — local, state, and national — than
to criticize them. This doesn’t mean we always agree with their every action
or condone legislative decisions contrary to biblical principles. It does mean,
however, that we respect positions of authority (Hebrews 13:17), even if the one
filling that position compromises God’s principles. As we humbly and fervently
call on the Lord in prayer, He promises to raise up godly leaders and govern their
hearts to rule our land (Daniel 2:20-21; 2 Chronicles 7:14). In addition, we have
the privilege in America to express our desire for godly leaders with an informed
vote during local, state, and national elections.
We invite you to use this Scriptural Prayers for Good Government booklet for our
state and nation’s leaders as a starting place for your prayers. You could take a
portion a day, or one section a week, or even schedule a full day of fasting and
prayer and go through it in its entirety, either on your own or with a group.
Regardless of how you use it, our hope is that we can all humble ourselves in
prayer and turn to God. If we do, He promises He will restore our communities,
our state, and our nation. The LORD will hear our cry and heal our land!
Thank you for standing in the gap with us for our nation, for Arizona, and our
governmental leaders 2 Chronicles 7:14).
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Scriptural Prayers
for Good Government
ACTS is a simple acronym that helps us include the key elements of prayer
when we talk to God. Each of the letters stands for an important component of
effective prayer:
A is for adoration
C is for confession
T is for thanksgiving
S is for supplication
When we use the ACTS model, we are able to praise God, clear the way for ef-
fective prayer with confession, thank Him for everything He has done, and make
our requests known to Him through supplication (intercession).
ADORATION
As you begin your time of prayer, start by adoring God for who He is—the
creator and giver of all life, mercy, justice, and love in heaven and on earth. He
created our nation and He has a divine plan for America, for Arizona, and for
our governmental leaders.
• “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples! For great is his
steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever”
(Psalm 117:1,2 ESV).
• “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set
your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1 ESV).
• “Sing praise to God, sing praises; sing praise to our King, sing praises! For
God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm! God reigns
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above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. The rulers of the world have
gathered together. They join us in praising… For all the kings of the earth
belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere” (Psalm 47:6-9).
PRAYER:
Father God, today I worship You as the King of kings and Lord of lords. You have
established Your throne in heaven. You are creator of the universe and ruler over all
the nations of the earth. I acknowledge that there is no name greater than Yours. All
glory, power, and honor belong to You.
CONFESSION
Take a moment to ask for God’s forgiveness for any way you have contributed
to what is wrong with the government and its leaders. You may not be aware
of anything specific, but keep in mind that even godly men like Daniel and
Nehemiah identified with the sins of their people in confession before God
(Nehemiah 9 and Daniel 9).
Search your heart and ask God to point out to you any way you have grieved
His heart or violated His principles in the way you pay your taxes, claim your
income, or withhold tithes. This is an important component of praying for our
state and nation because we need to cleanse our own hearts of any way we have
contributed to the corruption in the economy. Asking for forgiveness for these
areas in which you might have personally contributed will clear a path as we
intercede on behalf our state, our nation, and its leaders.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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 sin and heal their land.”
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PERSONAL PRAYER:
Gracious Father, I come before You with a humble heart and ask You to forgive
me for any unjust or unlawful acts I have committed (such as failing to pay state
or federal taxes, taking part in corruption in my business or breaking the law in
any area). I ask Your forgiveness also for all the ways I have failed to support good
government such as by failing to pray for my governmental leaders, criticizing them,
not voting, and failing to speak up for and support righteous bills and laws.
Father God, we also ask forgiveness on behalf of our state and nation’s leaders for
passing bills and enacting laws contrary to Your biblical principles, specifically those
that have a disregard for life, family, and other godly relationships. We thank You
Lord, that when we ask You to forgive us You do so freely and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). We therefore receive Your cleansing, and thank you
that You have removed any barrier in our communication with You that would
hinder our prayers on behalf of our state and nation.
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THANKSGIVING
Before we lay our requests for our state and federal government before the Lord,
let us remember to praise and thank Him for the great things He has already
done for us as a state and nation and for all He is going to do.
Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to
him and praise his name.”
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust him with all my heart. He
helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the United States of America and for Your gift in
raising up this country to be a shining light on a hill. Thank you, too, for this great
state of Arizona that You are raising up to be the brightest star in the nation. We
acknowledge that such favor and stature come only from You. Today we also thank
You, God, for the gift of government, which You have established to serve the good of
the people in Arizona and our country. We are grateful for our government, which
provides protection from dangerous situations and from people intent on doing evil.
We thank You for all the state and federal laws that have been passed that protect life,
family, and our religious liberties. Today we praise and thank you, Lord, for the many
righteous and integral men and women who serve us in every sphere of government
and we acknowledge that they are a gift from You.
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SUPPLICATION
In this section we want to present our specific requests before the Lord and call
out to Him in faith for the needs of our state and nation.
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Pray that government will value the life of the voiceless and the poor including
the preborn.
• “Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated
fairly” (Proverbs 29:14 - MSG).
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Pray for God’s presence and welfare to come upon our cities, state, and nation.
• “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you… and pray to
the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare”
(Jeremiah 29:7, ESV). Ask God to squelch the growing spirit of lawlessness
and pray for and declare the peace of God (His Shalom) upon our cities.
Pray for godly, good, and upright leadership with sound judgment.
• “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked
are in power, they groan” (Proverbs 28:2, NLT).
• “For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the men of integrity, blameless
and complete [in God’s sight], shall remain in it…” (Proverbs 2:21, AMPL).
• “…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with
the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so
as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bear-
ing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
(Colossians 1:9-10, ESV).
Pray that leaders will seek and govern with divine guidance.
• “When people (or leaders) do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is happy” (Proverbs 29:18, NLT).
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Pray for leaders to govern with justice.
• “Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral
foundation.” (Proverbs 16:12, MSG).
• “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but
with honest, sensible leaders there is stability” (Proverbs 28:2, LB).
Pray that leaders will honor the laws of the land and authority,
especially God’s authority.
• “Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there
is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen”
(Romans 13:1, MSG).
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord, to raise up leaders who are wise, godly, and discerning. I ask that
they would know you personally and intimately, and that the eyes of our leaders
would become single-minded in knowing and following Your ways. Lord Jesus, open
our hearts and the hearts of our leaders to set apart this nation and bring America to
all you have designed her to be. Help us understand that You have called this nation
to be a model of godliness to the world. We want to grasp the immensity of Your
glorious ways and ask that You use our leaders in accomplishing Your will. We know
that Your Word tells us that we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem because those
who love Jerusalem shall prosper. We therefore, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and its
people, and pray that no leader in our nation will make any decision that will harm
Jerusalem or Israel. Thank You for prospering our nation as You help us to do what is
right in Your sight.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR PRESIDENT AND HIS ADVISORS
Pray that he will lead with divine guidance.
God, Your Word says that the king’s heart is in Your hand and like a river of
water; You turn it wherever You want (Proverbs 21:1). Turn the President’s
heart toward You at all times so that in the midst of the many voices he hears
each day, he will hear Your voice far above all others. Guide him with Your
Spirit in every situation and decision.
God, You have said that “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all liberally…” (James 1:5). On behalf of the President of the United
States, I ask You to fill him with godly wisdom, discernment, and understanding
for every decision he makes. Grant him the wisdom and a heart to represent
Your godliness, goodness, and strength to the people of this nation and to the
other world leaders.
Father God, I ask that You would surround our President with wise and godly
counsel, men and women of godliness, justice, and integrity, who place Your
agenda above their own and who seek your face for direction for this nation.
I ask that You would give the President and his cabinet your discernment,
understanding and knowledge over matters that concern this nation’s safety, its
laws and direction, so that we may know Your stability internally and abroad.
Heavenly Father, I know that You establish leaders who are true, just, and
upright to their people and who seek justice in all matters (Proverbs 29:14).
Lead our President to do what is just and right for the people of this nation.
Empower him to lead us in truthfulness and integrity. Help him to build upon
the solid Christian principles upon which this nation was founded.
Your Word says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way
of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Bring the President and his advisors to do what is
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right and just in Your eyes. Show them what You want them to do, guide them
in all their decisions, and give them answers and solutions that lead us toward
Your plans for this country.
Father God, I pray for Your hand of protection to be upon the President. Protect
him and keep him safe from those who would seek to harm or compromise him.
Shield him from all sickness, injury, or threats to his life or the life of his family.
Protect his wife and children and hide them all in the shadow of Your protective
covering (Psalm 91). Mighty God, I declare that no weapon turned against
them will succeed (Isaiah 54:17).
Pray for public policy that builds up Arizona families and protects
biblical marriage.
Pray for Arizona to have a healthy robust economy: for new industry and jobs.
Pray for Arizona’s education system: to attract the best teachers and provide
quality education; for schools to be a safe place to learn and grow.
Pray for churches and faith-based services: to continue to expand and meet state
and community needs.
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PRAYERS FOR ARIZONA GOVERNMENT LEADERS
Pray for wisdom, wise counsel, and direction for the issues our legislators will
face this year including:
• Significant budget issues: wisdom to know where to make cuts and expend
resources
• How to grow industry and the economy: how to attract businesses and
create new jobs
• How to resolve the foster care crisis and bring the best care for the children
and families in the system
• Pray for unity and cooperation between legislative and executive branches as
many new leaders take office.
• Pray for family values to have a high priority for all legislators.
• Ask God to give our legislative leaders a keen recognition of our Founding
Fathers’ intent to fully protect religious freedom for all citizens. Pray that
legislators will protect religious freedom for individuals and businesses.
Heavenly Father, I bring the needs of our Arizona State government before You and
ask You to bless the state of Arizona through godly leadership.
Lord, I ask that our Governor, the Secretary of State, Attorney General and all
statewide officeholders will seek Your divine guidance and receive wisdom for every
decision they will make. I ask that they would be empowered by Your Holy Spirit
and act with Your justice and compassion. I pray for the members of Arizona’s Senate
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and the House of Representatives to govern by Your peace and Your direction. God,
we know that a house divided cannot stand. Therefore, we pray for a unified state
government, standing together for the sake of the people of Arizona.
I pray for Your protection to cover all of our lawmakers as promised in Psalm 91.
I pray for wisdom and safety for the men and women in law enforcement, first
responders, our Arizona judges, state legislators, and the military stationed in
Arizona.
I ask for godly counsel and wisdom for Arizona judges across our state. In the name
of Jesus, I pray that You and Your kingdom of righteousness and justice will be
manifested in the hearts of all those who are in authority in Arizona.
I ask You, Lord, to reveal Your Son to each person within the Arizona state
government. Thank You for hearing my prayers and I rejoice in receiving Your
answers and action. AMEN.
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A Scriptural Prayer for
Good Government
1 Tim. 2:1 Heavenly Father, I give thanks for our government and its
leaders.
1 Tim. 2:2 I pray for all men and women having governmental authority
over us.
Prov. 1:23 Pour out YOUR Spirit upon them and make YOUR Word
known to them.
Psa. 25:21 Help them to be men and women of integrity with an
understanding of YOUR principles, acting justly and
righteously,
1 Tim. 2:2 that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness
and honesty.
Prov. 2:10 Give our leaders wise and understanding hearts, and let godly
knowledge be pleasant to them.
Prov. 2:11 Guide them in making wise and godly choices; guard over
them with understanding, keeping them out of danger.
Prov. 2:12 Deliver them from the way of evil and from evil men.
Psalm 1:1 Make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel,
2 Chron. 20:32 doing what is right in YOUR sight.
Isa. 54:14 Give us upright, just and fair men and women in our
government, that our nation would be secure.
Prov. 2:21 Sustain those who live right and blameless before YOU and
keep them firm and strong.
Heb. 12:27 Shake all areas harboring corruption and ungodliness in our
land
Prov. 2:22 and cut off the wicked. Let the unfaithful be rooted out.
1 Corinth. 4:5 Bring to light the hidden things done in darkness, and expose
the secret dishonesty of their hearts.
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Rev. 2:5 Cause this nation to remember from where we have fallen,
repenting, and returning to righteous and godly works,
1 Chron. 22:19 setting our hearts and our souls to seek first YOU, Lord and
YOUR righteousness,
2 Chron. 7:14 humbling ourselves, praying, and turning from our wicked
ways. We acknowledge that then YOU will hear us, O Lord,
and forgive our sins and heal our land.
Acts 26:18 Open our eyes and turn us as a nation, from darkness to light.
Heb. 3:13 Soften our hearts, for we recognize we are hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin.
Psa. 107:20 Send YOUR Word once again to the people of our nation and
rescue us from destructions.
2 Peter 3:9 Father, thank YOU that YOU have been longsuffering toward
us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.
Isa. 49:22 Raise up a standard of godliness and righteousness in our
nation.
Zech. 10:1 Bring the rains of YOUR Spirit to flood this land and awaken
us once again,
Hab. 3:2 reviving YOUR work in the midst of us.
Isa. 59:16 Raise up intercessors and those who will stand watch over our
nation,
2 Corinth. 10:4 giving us discernment and understanding to pull down
strongholds over our land.
Isa. 40:5 And let the glory of the Lord be revealed!
Isa. 60:1-4 Arise shine through YOUR people and fill our land with
YOUR light and truth.
We ask all this in the matchless and powerful name
of our LORD and Savior, Christ Jesus!
Revised from: Carol Ann Hale Kononova - 1993 - 2013 © - prayinginvictory.com - prayingscriptures.com
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The State of Arizona’s
Top 112
Governmental Leaders
Here is a list of the most prominent leaders in our state’s government. This is to
serve as an aide for targeted prayers and intercession.
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Dist 30 State Senators 60 State Representatives
(one per district) (two per district)
Lupe Contreras,
19 Diego Espinoza Mark A. Cardenas
Minority Co-whip
20 Kimberly Yee Paul Boyer Anthony Kern
21 Debbie Lesko Rick Gray Tony Rivero
David Livingston,
22 Judy Burges Phil Lovas
Majority Whip
23 John Kavanagh Jay Lawrence Michelle Ugenti
Katie Hobbs,
24 Ken Clark Lela Alston
Minority Leader
25 Bob Worsley Justin Olson Rusty Bowers
26 Andrew Sherwood Celeste Plumlee Juan Mendez
Rebecca Rios,
27 Catherine Miranda Reginald Bolding
Minority Whip
Eric Meyer,
28 Adam Driggs Kate Brophy McGee
Minority Leader
Martin Quezada,
29 Richard Andrade Ceci Velásquez
Minority Co-whip
30 Robert Meza Jonathan Larkin Debbie McCune Davis
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Resources
Other Prayer Guides available through BridgeBuilders:
TERRORISM
BridgeBuilders International Leadership Network
(602) 977-1111
www.BridgeBuilders.net God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2 NIV
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www.BridgeBuilders.net