An Audacious Prayer for Audacious Times

Father, we have sinned. Our fathers have sinned. We come to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy. Have mercy on us oh Lord. You told us in Your word that Your mercy endures forever. Have mercy on the nations of the earth, oh Lord. Have mercy on America, for we have sinned.

Father, we have had other gods before You. But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness. Have mercy on America, oh God.

We have erected idols of riches, fame, sports, good looks, church membership size, social media likes, politics, businesses and so much more. Oh Lord, forgive us for our idolatry.

Father, unlike You, we have been respecters of persons. We have been biased towards each other, because our racial preferences have been more important to us than our identity as children of God. Forgive us, oh Lord.

Father, will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Shew us Your mercy, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Father, Your church has allowed liturgy, experiences, approaches to ministry and religious tribalism to separate us. Forgive us Lord, and make us one in Jesus Name.

Father, forgive the nation for the practice of sorcery by the business and economic powers that be.

Father, forgive us for allowing and codifying the shedding of innocent blood.

Instead of taking care of the orphan, the widow, and the stranger, we have despised them, Lord. Forgive us, Father.

Father, forgive us for abandoning the covenant our forefathers made You.

Father, will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Shew us Your mercy, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

We have allowed fear to dominate our decisions in these days. Instead of seeing You as our Protector and Healer, we have yielded to the whims of men. We trusted in horses and chariots, as it were, more than in the Name of the Lord. Father, forgive us.

Father, our leaders have let us down. They have not reflected the character and conduct of Christ. Forgive them. Forgive us for our choices of leaders when we have chosen political ideology, extreme nationalism, or unfettered liberalism, over truth.

Father, like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we have complained against our leaders. We have chosen to support the leaders on the side of our political isle, while not praying for those on the other side. Forgive us, Lord.

Father, unlike Abraham, the Nation has chosen the King of Sodom over the King of Salem. We have chosen to justify and codify ungodly sexual behavior, when your word is clear about matters of adultery, fornication, sodomy, and all other manners of sexual sin. Spiritual leaders have been afraid, Father, to speak the truth about such things for fear of losing members, popularity, and money. Oh Father, forgive us.

Father, Like Lot, we have been wrongly positioned in the world for protection and provision apart from you. We have looked to the seven mountains instead of ascending to the Holy hill, with clean hands and a pure heart. Oh Lord, forgive us.