nation – A Collection of Prayers

In Trouble and Turmoil, Be Our Peace

Lord of the nations,
God in whom we trust,
you alone are holy,
good, wise,
and the source of every blessing.

In trouble and turmoil,
be our peace.
In our hearts and minds
give us the peace that surpasses understanding.
In our mouths
put words of peace,
and make us peacemakers
that we may be called your children.

Let the truth of your Word
govern and guide us
when we are inclined
to be like Pontius Pilate
and say, “What is truth?”

When we are unsure of all things,
draw us to you,
our faithful God,
steadfast in love,
our rock, refuge and fortress.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, January 6, 2021.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save. Psalm 146:3

Prayer for the Nation as the Election Approaches

Father of heavenly lights
we pray for our nation in the coming election.
As we choose our leaders
guide us by your commandments
and teach us not to put our trust
in mortal men who cannot save,
but to trust you alone
for every good and perfect gift.

Lord Jesus, you are the King of kings
and Lord of lords,
and you live and reign over all.
Bless your church
and move us to use the freedoms our nation grants us
to make your Gospel known in our land.

Spirit of life,
stir our faith in your holy Word so that,
even as we do what we can and as we seek to do your will,
we trust your promise that you are our Refuge and Fortress,
and that you alone can work all things
for the good of your holy people.

Gracious God, rule in our hearts alone—now and forever.

Prayer for the Nation as the Election Approaches by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

“Father of heavenly lights… …every good and perfect gift” are references to James 1:17

“guide us by your commandments” is a reference to 2 John 1:6

“not to put our trust in mortal men who cannot save” is a reference to Psalm 146:3

“King of kings and Lord of lords” is a reference to Revelation 19:16

“Refuge and Fortress” is a reference to Psalm 46 and Psalm 91:2

“you alone can work all things for the good of your holy people” is a reference to Romans 8:28

“rule in our hearts” is a reference to Colossians 3:15

Govern and Direct Our Leaders

Lord God, heavenly Father,
we thank you for granting us peace
and graciously sparing us from war and foreign dominion.
Graciously let us continue to live
in your fear according to your will,
giving no cause for wars or other punishment.
Govern and direct our leaders and officials,
that they may not hinder the obedience due to you
but maintain righteousness
that we may enjoy happiness and blessing
under their government;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Trinity 23

This revision/translation of The Collects of Veit Dietrich is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

For Rulers and the Nations

O heavenly Father,
we bend the knee before you on behalf of all kings,
princes, and governors of this world.
By your inspiration,
move them to rule in righteousness,
to rejoice in peace,
to shine in piety,
and to labor for the well-being of the people committed to them,
so that, by the rectitude of the government,
all faithful people may live without disturbance
in the knowledge of you,
and work without hindrance for your glory. Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Liturgy, 7th Century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

For Those in Authority

O God,
you rule over your people with fatherly love.
Give the spirit of wisdom
to all who have received authority of government from you,
that the welfare of your people
may turn to the eternal joy of their shepherds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gregorian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954

For National Peace

O Lord,
be gracious to us in our times.
In your goodness,
maintain both national quietness and Christian devotion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Leonine Sacramentary, fifth century

Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953

Guard and Guide Our Leaders

CSB O merciful Father in heaven,
all rule and authority
in the kingdoms of the world
comes from you,
and you hold in your hand
all the might of humanity.
You have instituted
the governing authorities that exist
for the punishment of those who do wrong
and for the approval of those who do good.
Look on your servants,
the President of the United States,
the governor of this state,
our judges and officials,
and all the rulers of the earth.
May all who have authority
work as your servants
and use their authority
according to your will and command.
Enlighten and defend them by your name, O God.
Give them wisdom and understanding,
that under their peaceful governing
your people may be guarded and directed
in righteousness, quietness and unity.
God of our salvation,
protect and prolong their lives,
that we, with them,
may declare the praise of your name;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Slightly modified from the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917, 1918)

Guide Our Nation in the Way of Your Truth and Peace

Image result for freedom of religion O God,
you led our ancestors
to this land
where they found
refuge from oppression
and freedom to worship you.
Always guide our nation
in the way of your truth and peace,
so that we enjoy
the blessing you have promised
to the people whose God is the Lord;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Paul Zeller Strodach, 1917, slightly modified from the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, 1917

Maintain Righteous Government

Lord,
preserve your people.
Maintain righteous government everywhere,
so that all things may take place
in an orderly way
and peace may not be destroyed
by revolution or secret enmity,
nor the eternal good order
be corrupted by debased living
or disturbed by other offenses.
Amen.

Source: Attributed to Martin Luther, modified slightly from http://www.antiochchurch.ca/famousQuotes.html

Freedom to Hear Your Word and Extend Your Kingdom

Image result for freedom of religion Almighty God,
you have given us a land
where we are free to read and hear your Word,
confess your name
and work together
for the extension of your kingdom.
May the liberty given us
be continued to our children
and our children’s children,
that the power of the gospel
may here increase
to the blessing
of all the nations of the earth
and to your eternal glory;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Henry Eyster Jacobs, 1917, slightly modified from the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917, 1918)

Original in traditional English:

ALMIGHTY God, Who hast given us a land, wherein we are free to read and hear Thy Word, to confess Thy Name, and to labor together for the extension of Thy Kingdom: Grant, we beseech Thee, that the liberty vouchsafed unto us, may be continued to our children and our children’s children, and that the power of the Gospel may here abound, to the blessing of all the nations of the earth, and to Thine eternal glory; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.