God’s Hands: A Prayer for America

Connecting Historical Devotions to the Present Call for Divine Guidance

Personal Message on Prayer

As a new Christian for about two years, I have come to understand the transformative power of prayer. Observing and listening to people I admire has revealed that their prayers not only express their values, priorities, and what they deem worthy of discussion with God but also profoundly shape these aspects of their lives. Through prayer, they convey gratitude, hope, and concern for others, including friends, family, their church, and those who are ill. This insight into the power of prayer can significantly guide new Christians on their faith journey. I firmly believe that if every American who loves this country, prioritizes family, and nurtures a deep, meaningful relationship with God embraces the power of prayer, there will be no limit to what our great nation can achieve.

Lately, I've been reading prayers that our founding fathers read or published. It is fascinating to see what concerns and hopes they had for the country. This note is not about the specifics of how or what people pray for but rather the importance of prayer, especially for Christians new to their faith who may need guidance. Given the current pivotal moment in our nation's history, regardless of political affiliation, prayer is not just important; it's urgent. We should not only pray for ourselves, our friends, and our family but also for our country, which faces significant challenges. The recent attempted assassination of President Trump underscores the reality of evil and the urgent need for divine intervention. Let us pray with hope and faith, knowing that divine intervention is possible and can bring about the change we seek.

I have prepared a prayer for those needing assistance in praying for our nation. This prayer, part of my last post, is meant to be read in a moment of silence, offering a chance to reflect and seek God's mercy and salvation for our country. It also includes a plea for President Donald J. Trump's re-election and a request for God not to turn His back on our nation but to give us an opportunity to turn things around.

Below my prayer, I have added a few prayers, notes, or portions of speeches from past presidents such as George Washington, James Madison, and other founding fathers. I also included Abraham Lincoln, which I find fascinating. These prayers, spoken during their respective terms, reflect some of the concerns and hopes they had for our great nation. By connecting this pivotal moment in our history with the founding fathers of this great nation, I hope to inspire you to pray for our nation's well-being. I share this prayer with the hope that it brings you comfort and guidance.

God’s Hands: A Prayer for America

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have shown great favor to our nation in the past and guided us through many challenges. We come before You now, seeking Your mercy and forgiveness for our land. We acknowledge the iniquities that have brought us low and ask for Your grace to cover our sins.

Lord, You have turned away Your fierce anger before and brought peace to our people. We pray that You would once again turn us back to You, O God of our salvation. Let Your anger cease and revive us anew so we may rejoice in You.

Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. We are in a critical time of change, and we need Your intervention more than ever. As we look forward to President Donald J. Trump's re-election, we pray for Your guidance and support. Let Your wisdom and righteousness guide our leaders and our people.

We come to You in a time of vulnerability, with compromised leadership in our nation's history. Protect our country from harm and division. Shield us from those who seek to undermine our values and principles. Empower us to stand firm and unwavering in the face of adversity.

We will listen to what You, Lord God, will speak, for You promise peace to Your people. Help us not to return to folly but to steadfastly walk in Your ways. May Your salvation be near to those who fear You, and let Your glory dwell in our land.

Let mercy and truth meet together in our nation; let righteousness and peace embrace. May truth spring forth from the earth and righteousness look down from heaven. Lord, give us that which is good and let our land yield its increase.

May righteousness go before You and prepare the way for Your steps. Lead us in Your paths and restore our Republic for the good of the United States of America and the world.

In Jesus' name, we pray,

Amen.

Prayer and Proclamations by the Founding Fathers

Below are selected prayers and references attributed to the first five presidents of the United States, expressing their hopes and appeals for the nation.

1. George Washington

Personal Prayer Journal:

"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large."

Circular to the States (June 8, 1783):

“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field.”

2. John Adams

Fast Day Proclamation (March 23, 1798):

“As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety, without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed...”

Letter to Abigail Adams (July 3, 1776):

“It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

3. Thomas Jefferson

Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1805):

“I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries and comforts of life; who has covered our infancy with His providence, and our riper years with His wisdom and power; and to whose goodness I ask you to join in supplications with me, that He will so enlighten the minds of your servants, guide their counsels, and prosper their measures, that whatsoever they do shall result in your good, and shall secure to you the peace, friendship, and approbation of all nations.”

4. James Madison

Proclamation of a Day of Prayer (July 9, 1812):

“I do therefore recommend a day of public humiliation and prayer, to be observed by the people of the United States, with religious solemnity, and the offering of fervent supplications to the Almighty God, that He would be graciously pleased to pardon all our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed.”

5. James Monroe

First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1817):

“Relying on the aid of Divine Providence, and with a firm reliance on the wisdom, virtue, and patriotism of the American people, I assume the arduous duties which I am called upon to perform. I sincerely pray that these qualities may enable me to discharge them in a manner satisfactory to you, and to my conscience. I enter upon my duties with profound respect for those who have preceded me in this exalted station and an anxious solicitude for the future prosperity and happiness of our beloved country.”

Prayers of Abraham Lincoln for the United States

These prayers and proclamations reveal Abraham Lincoln's deep reliance on God and his earnest hope for national unity, healing, and moral integrity.

Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863):

“While not a prayer in the traditional sense, this address reflects a solemn invocation of divine guidance and blessing upon the nation: “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865):

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

Let Us Pray

In conclusion, my journey as a new Christian has revealed the transformative power of prayer, not only for personal growth but for our nation's well-being. In these challenging times, with the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump and the significant struggles our country faces, the need for authentic, heartfelt prayer is more urgent than ever. Just as our founding fathers leaned on divine guidance during pivotal moments, we, too, must turn to God with sincerity and hope. Part of the reason I started this Substack is to share these ideas with you and encourage you to follow their example. Let us pray earnestly for our country, our leaders, and each other, trusting that our collective prayers can bring about the change and unity we desperately need. May God bless you, your family, and this great nation.