Join the Cry
Lawrence Darmani
Psalm 122:6–9
I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1
Jul 4, 2016
A women’s prayer group in my country holds regular monthly prayer
sessions for Ghana and other African countries. When asked why they pray
so incessantly for the nations, their leader, Gifty Dadzie, remarked,
“Look around, listen to and watch the news. Our nations are hurting:
war, disaster, diseases, and violence threaten to overshadow God’s love
for humanity and His blessing upon us. We believe God intervenes in the
affairs of nations, so we praise Him for His blessings and cry for His
intervention.”
The Bible reveals that God indeed intervenes in
the affairs of nations (2 Chron. 7:14). And when God intervenes, He uses
ordinary people. We may not be assigned huge tasks, but we can play our
part to help bring about peace and the righteousness that exalts a
nation (Prov. 14:34). We can do that through prayer. The apostle Paul
wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all
those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).
As the psalmist exhorted
the ancient Israelites to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6),
so may we pray for the peace and healing of our nations. When we pray
in humility, turn from wickedness, and seek God, He hears us.
Lord, we pray today for the peace of our nations. We ask for Your
intervention as we turn to You in confession and repentance. We praise
You for Your blessing and Your provision.
Prayer for those in authority is both a privilege and a duty.