“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

God, we bring before You a long list of sins, desperate for Your forgiveness – racism, the existence of poverty, abuse in so many forms, idolatry, immorality, disregard for life, and on the list goes. In a nation of plenty and with a history built on biblical principles, we’ve brought shame – instead of glory – to Your beautiful Name. We’ve broken Your heart by loving ourselves and our own pleasure and comfort more than we love those created in Your image. Lord, have mercy.

Help us, Lord – Your people, Your Church – to consider each and every action. Help us to honor You with our lives. Where we fall short, we ask You to convict us, receive our confession, and give us hearts of repentance. May we find You waiting with tender healing, forgiveness, love, Your embrace, and the power to walk in Your ways. May the watching world be drawn to You to receive those same gifts.

Lord, empower us to pray without ceasing – for holiness, courage, compassion, and love in action.

Lord, where we’ve caused hurt, rescue the victims of our harm and injustices. Heal their hearts, and restore their lives. For those inside and outside of the church who’ve inflicted evil and pain, we pray for repentance, forgiveness, and a change of direction so that we may go forward as advocates of Your justice and mercy.

Lord, for those already on the front lines – living lives of compassion and justice on behalf of the broken – pour out Your strength and provide brothers and sisters in Christ to link arms with them in support and encouragement.

Lord, raise up leaders to advocate for the victims of oppression and to speak up for life and truth in our culture and in our hearts. We are all leaders in our corners of the world. Make us bold for truth and righteousness. Raise up a generation of godly, self-controlled, courageous young people who will guide our nation back to You.

Lord, bring about a seismic shift in the moral and spiritual atmosphere of our nation. The days are dark. May we carry the Light of Jesus into the blackest night, and may we have the fortitude to value, defend, and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

Lord, let us not forget that we have an enemy whose sole agenda is to steal, kill, and destroy. Give us discernment, wisdom, and strategy to fight with weapons not forged by human hands. Give us vision to recognize evil. Grant us courage to armor up for battle against evil according to Ephesians 6:10-18. Make us strong to stand against evil by the might of Your power.

Lord, as Your Church, we repent of all that we’ve contributed to allow the pain, suffering, and confusion in which our nation now finds itself. We’re desperate for You. We need You. We’ve been rightfully humbled. Now let us rise up to bring honor and glory to You, and life and flourishing to our fellow citizens and to the world.

You are our only and greatest Hope. You are our high and holy King. And You are the Lord to Whom every knee will one day bow. When we fear, remind us of Who You are. Remind us of Your true and precious promises. Remind us of the future prepared for those who love You. God, truly in You we trust. Please restore and bless our nation. In the beautiful Name of Jesus we plead with You. Amen.