POST ELECTION PRAYER GUIDE
(The first part of this is the teaching notes with suggested answers. The second part is the participant guide with fill-in-the-blanks)
• The election is an anxious time
• for a lot of people in our country
• People are often very passionate
• about their political beliefs
• They believe that their candidate
• will affect positive change for our country
• While at the same time are concerned
• that the opponent will affect negative change
• Some, especially Christians, are always concerned
• about the spiritual implication of elections,
• not just for the President, but for the congress
• and for any state laws that are up for consideration
• Obviously, at the end of the day yesterday,
• some people were very encouraged by the elections
• and others were very discouraged
• I thought we would come together tonight
• and talk a little bit about how the elections impact us
• and specifically how we can be in prayer
• for our nation and it’s leaders
• Let’s start with the positive:
• What are the positive things
• that came out of the election yesterday?
• A reminder of our freedom to choose our own representation
• The blessing of a peaceful transfer of power, something many nations never experience
• The election of the first African American President
• Several state questions that favored the sanctity of human life
• A state question in California that supported the traditional and Biblical definition of marriage
• What are the negative things
• that came out of the election yesterday?
• The election of a president who is decidedly pro-abortion
• The ugliness we witnessed around the country
• So right off the bat we see some things
• that we can interceded for on behalf of our country
• We can give thanks for the blessings of the positive
• We can ask forgiveness as a people for the negative
• Now maybe you would say,
• “Well I’m not asking forgiveness for the negatives!
• I didn’t have anything to do with the negatives!
• I didn’t vote for Obama.
• I didn’t participate in the ugliness!
• Let’s take a look at a passage of Scripture
• from Daniel chapter 1
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel 1:3-5
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” Daniel 1:8
• If you remember the story of Daniel,
• you remember that Israel had been
• taken captive by the Babylonians
• Does anyone remember why God
• allowed them to be taken captive?
• They had been disobedient to the covenant
• God had made with them
• There came a point where He removed His protection
• and they became slaves to another nation
• So when we read in Daniel chapter 1,
• we find a young man named Daniel
• who is faithful to God and chooses not to participate
• in the sinful culture he’s been subjected to.
• But, it’s important to note
• that almost all of the other Israelites
• continued their compromising ways
• in this new culture
• Now maybe you’re wondering what all of this
• could possibly have to do with the election last night
• and more specifically, what does it have to do
• with us asking forgiveness for things
• we didn’t have any part of
• Well I want to direct your attention to an incredible prayer,
• voiced by Daniel, later in his story
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:4-6
• Underline the characteristics of God that Daniel praised
• Now bracket the sins of the people mentioned by Daniel
16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors. 17 “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary. 18 “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. 19 “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.” Daniel 9:16-19
• Now, let me ask you some questions:
• What was Daniel asking God to do?
• Asking God to forgive him and the people of Israel
• Had Daniel sinned?
• Had he committed iniquity?
• Had he acted wickedly?
• Had he rebelled against God?
• Had he turned away from the commandments of God?
• NO!
• Now Daniel was a sinful man like all of us
• but the point of this story is that
• Daniel had avoided sinning in the ways
• that his countrymen had sinned against God
• And yet you’d never know it by reading his prayer
• Daniel completely identified with the rest of the people
• Their sin became his sin
• Why do you think he did this?
• I believe that he was about to intercede for the people
• and he felt that to be as effective
• as he could possibly be in that intercession,
• he needed to identify himself
• with the people and their sin
• Do you think that was a good strategy?
• Read Daniel 9:21-23
21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision. Daniel 9:21-23
• Incredibly, because of Daniel’s character,
• as soon as he began to pray,
• the angel Gabriel was dispatched
• from the throne room of God
• to go and meet with him and tell him
• that God had an answer
• The answer was that God would allow the Israelites
• to suffer the consequences of their sin for a time,
• but in time he would begin to redeem them
• as he had done over and over throughout history,
• but this time he would begin the process
• that would eventually lead to Jesus
• coming to the earth as Messiah!
• Now, what would have happened
• if Daniel had said,
• “These are not my problems!
• These are not my sins!
• I’m not the one who messed everything up!”?
• What would have happened if Daniel
• had not interceded on their behalf?
• Is there any kind of principle we can take from this story
• and apply to our own situation as Americans
• on the day after a difficult election?
• Could it be that we had better own up
• and identify with the sins of our nation
• so that we can more effectively
• intercede on it’s behalf?
• Tonight I want us to devise a
• Post Election Prayer Guide
• to help us pray in the coming days for our nation
• I want us to come up with things to pray for
• in 5 different categories
• Then we’re going to split up into groups
• and pray for each of those categories (OR)
• Then I’m going to ask volunteers
• to pray aloud for each of the categories
• Then we’re going to post the Prayer Guide
• on the Church Email Prayer Chain
• and encourage people to
• pray in this direction in the coming days
• For each of our categories,
• let’s start by reading some Scripture,
• and then we’ll kick around some ideas
• for things we can pray for in that category
• 5 Categories of Intercession
1. President Bush
• I want to start with a passage from 1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT)
• What are some things based on this Scripture
• and based on what you know about President Bush,
• and based on what you know happens
• after a president leaves office,
• that we could pray about?
• Ability to facilitate a smooth transition of power
• Pray for his health and mental well being
• Pray for the toll taken on his family over 8 years
• Pray for his Godly influence on national and global issues in the years to come
• Pray for him to continue growing in his faith
2. President-Elect Obama
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1
“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” Proverbs 28:2
“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1
“The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.” Proverbs 16:10
“Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.” Proverbs 8:15
• What are some things based on our Scripture
• and based on what you know about Mr. Obama
• that we should be in prayer about?
• That he would glorify God in the way he leads our country
• That God would give him the wisdom and knowledge he needs
• That he would allow himself to be guided by God
• That he would seek God as he makes decisions
• That he would be fair and just as he leads
• That he would discourage moral “rot” within our nation
• That he would appoint judges who reflect Godly character and judge fairly
3. The New Congress
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
“If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever.” Proverbs 29:14
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.” Proverbs 21:30
“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Proverbs 15:22
• What are some things based on our Scripture
• and what you know about the new Congress
• that we should be in prayer for?
• Pray that the congress would seek Godly advice in the way they legislate
• Pray they would seek God’s purposes and not their own
• Pray that God would direct their course and actions in a way that would protect and benefit our country
• Pray that they would see their need to trust God for leadership rather than their own understanding
• Pray that they would seek Godly counsel and advice as they lead and legislate
4. Concerns For Our Economy
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:18-20
17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Deuteronomy 8:17-18
“The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.” Deuteronomy 28:12
1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Psalm 112:1-3
• What are some things we might pray about
• concerning our current economic situation?
• That we would remember that prayer works and God is in control
• That we might remember that our wealth and our blessings all come from God
• Everything we have belongs to God, comes from God, and is given by God
• That we will trust God’s timing and not our own
• That we would not become indebted to other nations during this time
• That we will be blessed as a nation because of our obedience to Him
5. Our Nation’s Moral Compass
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
• As we consider the Scriptures we read
• from 2 Chronicles and from Daniel,
• what are some things we can pray for
• concerning the moral compass of our nation?
• That we would remain faithful to God
• That we would not compromise for our culture
• That we would value God’s leadership and blessing above all else
• That we would admit and repent of our sin
• That we would put our complete trust as a nation in God alone
• That we would follow the Biblical principles that our nation was founded on
Time of Prayer
POST ELECTION PRAYER GUIDE
What are the positive things that came out of the election yesterday?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
What are the negative things that came out of the election yesterday?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel 1:3-5
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” Daniel 1:8
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:4-6
16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors. 17 “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary. 18 “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. 19 “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.” Daniel 9:16-19
21 As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. 23 The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision. Daniel 9:21-23
5 Categories of Intercession
1. President Bush
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT)
What are some things based on this Scripture and based on what you know about President Bush, and based on what you know happens after a president leaves office, that we could pray about?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
2. President-Elect Obama
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Romans 13:1
“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” Proverbs 28:2
“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1
“The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.” Proverbs 16:10
“Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.” Proverbs 8:15
What are some things based on our Scripture and based on what you know about Mr. Obama that we should be in prayer about?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
3. The New Congress
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
“If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever.” Proverbs 29:14
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.” Proverbs 21:30
“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Proverbs 15:22
What are some things based on our Scripture and what you know about the new Congress that we should be in prayer for?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
4. Concerns For Our Economy
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:18-20
17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Deuteronomy 8:17-18
“The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.” Deuteronomy 28:12
1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Psalm 112:1-3
What are some things we might pray about concerning our current economic situation?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
5. Our Nation’s Moral Compass
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
As we consider the Scriptures we read from 2 Chronicles and from Daniel, what are some things we can pray for concerning the moral compass of our nation?
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________________
Time of Prayer
