How can I pray in faith for my country and other nations?

Read It

Kings 17:1-7

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” The word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

James 5:17-18

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Meditate On It

Even in the Old Testament narrative of Israel’s history as a nation, there were times that God allowed the nation to undergo severe conditions, such as no rain for several years, that resulted in drought and famine. The Lord divinely supersedes everything that goes on in a country and even among the nations of the world. Knowing this truth gives God’s people the opportunity and assurance to seek Him for world-changing intercessions. As surely as God responded to the prophet Elijah in his prayers, God listens and responds to His people even today.

Consider the following questions:
1. What was God calling on the prophet Elijah to do? List down God’s instructions to him.
2. What did the Lord do in the midst of the nation during this time? How did God provide for and secure Elijah despite the scarcity, persecution, and turmoil he faced?
3. According to the passage in James, how can we emulate the faith and actions of Elijah?

Apply It

1. How can I grow in my faith and reliance on God? What big, bold, and brave prayers do I need to seek the Lord for?

2. In what way can I take part in God’s redemptive work in my own nation and the countries of the world? By faith, I will do my part by…

Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART) commitments.

Example: “As a Christ-follower, I will pray and fast every Friday at noon time for my country and a specific country in the world: _____.”

Pray It

• Intercede for the citizens of your nation so that we may all learn to trust God wholeheartedly and live as prayerful and dutiful men and women of Christ. May every citizen turn to Christ for real salvation and transformation.

• Intercede on behalf of our country, including our incumbent leaders, so that we may all seek the Lord and do His will over the issues that continually encroach upon our nation.

• Pray for our political, legislative, and judicial leaders to uphold biblical values and exemplify godly character, competence, justice, accountability, and family; for them to serve with integrity, wisdom, faithfulness, protection, and guidance.

• Pray for major national issues:
- For the COVID-19 pandemic to be over, proper crisis management, and economic sustainability
- Ungodly values, moral decline, materialism, idolatry
- Economic hurdles, high gas prices, inflation, bills, and laws that are against God’s word and will
- That more people from all walks of life be saved, discipled, and for them to develop a genuine love for the Lord

• Lift up a prayer for peace in Ukraine and other conflict-ridden, war-torn, and economically-devastated countries (e.g., Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Rohingyan people).

• Pray that every nation would come to know and experience the love of Christ through His Church.