Acts 1:8, John 17:9, Ephesians 4:2-6, 1 Timothy 2:2, Jeremiah 29:7

Steve Gambill shares the Bible teachings showing us the importance of praying for our nation.

Steve Gambill

At the outset of what is a new decade, I have written a 28-day prayer guide "Seek First" and wanted to offer that to you and all the different readers of Life File. You can access your copy simply go to the link online at
www.lifechurchhome.com or stevegambill.com. Please feel free to pass this on to your church leaders, friends, families or whoever you like. My life file today is one of the devotionals from the prayer guide.

Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea." Acts 1:8.

In the Biblical times, Judea was the region in which Jerusalem was situated - it was home for Jesus and His disciples. Today this would be the equivalent to your home nation. So, let's approach this in two areas: firstly, to pray for all of the various churches throughout the nation; secondly to pray for the nation itself.

Jesus prayed in John 17:9 "I pray for them, for those you have given me, for they are yours, so that they may be one as we are one. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent me, so that they may be brought to complete unity."

There are many different Christian churches that reflect the diversity of humanity. God does not see denominational differences but only one church in Jesus' name. Let's pray for other church leaders and churches. Let's learn from and love one another.

Paul the apostle in the book of Ephesians 4:2-6, says, "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit.one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and one Father of all."

Secondly let us pray for all of the rulers and leaders of our nation. The Bible instructs us to pray, "for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:2). The prophet Jeremiah wrote to God's people who had been taken captive and into Babylonian exile and instructed them by saying, "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7).

Today Pray
Take some time and pray for your local community, city and national leaders by name. Take some time and pray and then declare these words, "Lord thank You for all those that you have established in authority at every level. For every church representing you we pray for their leaders and people. For our Prime Minister, rulers and leaders in every community, we pray that you may you bless them, guide them, help them accomplish Your will and purpose. Amen."