by Rebekah Harvey

I want to share a word of encouragement I know I need one today. I have been anxiously awaiting the election results as you are as well, I imagine. After enduring the divisive campaign season which seemed agonizing and now continuing to wait even longer feels frustrating. But now there is not much else to do but wait and pray. I encourage you to be in prayer for our nation as this process is worked out. Pray for whoever is elected to do God’s will. We receive these instructions in  1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Regardless of the outcome of the election we are called to pray even if we don’t like the results.

As I was praying and reading my Bible this morning the chapters and verses I read for today were amazing to me! I read in Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you. And then I read in Psalms 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. These verses are so encouraging to me, I know that God holds the future and wants me to trust in Him completely regardless of what is going on around me and I want to encourage you to do the same. Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

I found this quote on the internet from Franklin Roosevelt and thought it was encouraging. “I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips.”

The following are some verses that you can pray for our nation and that will benefit each of us as we put them into practice in our daily lives.

1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Psalm 2:10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.