Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. For points 1-3, click here to read Part 1.
This prayer guide is loosely structured for multiple usage. An individual might pick out a few prayer points from each category and pray those daily. A group might choose to divide the points among its members and cover the entire guide at one prayer gathering. Some families or individuals may want to pray from this guide for months leading up to the election and perhaps even beyond. Ask the Lord to show you how you should pray. We encourage you to look up the verse with each prayer point; perhaps pray that verse as part of your prayers.
- The Church
Pray for a spirit of humility and an outreach in the church toward those whom the Bible calls the least among us (Ps. 9:18).
Pray that the churches in your community and area will preach the gospel of Christ powerfully.
Thank the Lord for the freedom we have in Him and for the wisdom to understand that freedom (Gal. 5:13).
Pray for a spirit of consecration and holiness to come upon the church in America (Josh. 3:5).
Pray for a spirit of compassion to come over the church in the United States so we will begin seriously to live out the lifestyle of Jesus in our communities (Philemon 1:6).
Ask the Lord to help strengthen the trumpet call to intensive prayer so that it is heard throughout the church in the United States (1 Tim. 2:8).
Ask the Lord for the church to rise up with a strong prophetic voice for America (Eph. 6:19).
Pray for a spirit of repentance to fall upon the church in America that would cause us to turn back to God and seek Him (2 Cor. 5:10).
Pray for a spirit of courage to rise within the church. Commit to enduring whatever it takes to see the fulfillment of God’s purposes in our nation (1 Thess. 1:6).
Pray that the church in America will live in such a way that the peace of Christ comes into the councils of our nation (Rom.12:2).
Pray for a movement of the Spirit that creates a dramatic cultural transformation in the United States, bringing about a nation that has learned to put its hope in the Word of God (Matt. 4:16).
Ask the Lord to awaken the church to the temporary nature of the nations and to the eternal nature of the reign of God (Matt. 6:33).
Pray that courage born of wisdom will be given to Christians in places of leadership in government, the courts and law schools across the nation so that they will stand for a godly basis for law (Josh. 1:9).
- Media
Pray specifically for truth to be an established standard in our news media (John 8:32).
Pray that media bias will be tempered by fairness (Eph. 5:11).
Ask that Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports (1 Sam. 2:24).
- Spiritual Warfare
Ask for great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the election (Num. 10:9).
Pray for physical protection for all candidates and their families throughout this campaign season (Isa. 54:1).
Beseech the Lord for a strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision (Deut. 31:6).
- Revival
Pray for another great spiritual awakening to sweep the nation as the Lord’s people learn to humble themselves with a contrite spirit and to tremble at the Word of the Lord (Isa. 66:2).
Ask the Lord to bring revival to the church in America (Heb. 12:2).
Pray for the preachers of America to fearlessly proclaim the Word of God regarding sin and God’s love (Rom. 5:8).
Flashpoints
These are areas of controversy, disagreement, division and sometimes outright hostility in our nation. Some would pick others than the topics I have, but I believe these to be areas that must be prayed over with discernment and strength.
- Life of the unborn
- Nature of family and marriage
- Religious freedom
- U.S. relationship with Israel
- The growing threat of terrorism and the fear and mistrust it brings
- Racism and its growing divisiveness
- The idolatry of tolerance and the resulting intolerance for those who disagree with prevailing ideas. (This prayer points greatly impacts the six flashpoints above).
Conclusion
Prayer rarely stops after “amen.” When we passionately cry out to God over any issue, we should in integrity, find ourselves praying, “Lord, if there is any way you can use me to be an answer to this prayer, here I am.” When we pray for an election, it seems that simple honesty will then require us to follow the prayer up by voting.
What about broadening the prayer effort beyond your own prayers? Why not start a short-term prayer gathering at your home for the 30 or 40 days before the election? You could even do that before the primary elections. Invite friends or those with similar passion to join you each week for a very focused prayer meeting that asks God to intervene in our electoral process.
In a country with 350 million people, it is very easy to feel as though you could not possibly make a difference. That thinking is wrong on many levels, but it is particularly false when we consider the power of prayer. As you pray, even as a single, solitary person, you are teaming up with the Creator of the universe to change situations. The only way that positive change is not possible is when Christians refuse to pray! {eoa}
Dave Butts is the founder and president of Harvest Prayer Ministries, the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, and chairman of the board of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. This prayer guide is taken from his book, With One Cry: A Renewed Challenge to Pray for America. A free PDF download of this guide is available at prayerleader.com/invite-god-into-the-process.
Ron Allen 
Eddie Hyatt 
Michael L. Brown 
