Fifty Days of Prayer for the National Election 2012 – Day 15

Day 15 October 2nd
Focus: The Canidates
In the early years of our nation, it was thought to be in bad taste to even be seen wanting an office, much less actually campaigning. Now candidates for public office, especially at higher levels, put themselves and their families through a rigorous process that brings every aspect of their lives into public view. It has become so intense that many good individuals have chosen not to endure the sort of public scrutiny that is an integral part of the campaigning process today. Praying for candidates does not mean praying just for those with whom we agree or support. All candidates are leaders and potential leaders in our nation—and as such, all need our prayers. Tomorrow is the first Presidential debate. Pay against any attempt of the moderator/questioners to try and “trip up” the candidates. Pray for honest questions that yield clarifying answers so that the American public can decide whom to support based on positions the candidates hold and not eloquence or debating skill. Pray for truth to reign. Pray for God to give us clear choices by honest answers and not nuanced or misleading responses. 
Can a corrupt throne be allied with You – one that brings on misery by its decrees? Psalm 94: 20 
Heavenly Father,
We are grateful that You lead Your people to commit to study Your Word. From Genesis to Revelation, we are taught that You control the affairs of man. You are sovereign, and You lift up leaders and You bring them down, according to Your divine purposes. Have mercy on America, we pray. This verse from Psalm 94 serves as a reminder for all believers to pray for honest elected officials who will enact laws that bless the people they serve. We pray this election will result in Your placing leaders in Washington who commit to serve You. 
We pray that our elected representatives will always understand and apply Your truth that all Scripture is given by Your inspiration, and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that they may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3: 16-17 
You, Lord, have set before us this day – life and good, and death and evil. (Deut. 30: 15) In our rebellion, we have chosen death and evil. You have said that we must not shed innocent blood in our land, which You, the Lord our God, have given to us as an inheritance, so that blood guilt will not be upon us. (Deut 19: 10) Yet, we kill our unborn. We neglect our families. We worship false idols. We are a people at each others’ throats, holding on to grudges, bitterness, and resentment. We are immoral and dishonest. As Esau despised his inheritance (Gen. 25: 34), we have become a nation who despises our birthright – the privileges of belonging to Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us. Hear the pleas of Your remnant, and grant that the rulers of this land will be people who know and serve the One True God and do not despise our inheritance. Prevent any person from being elected who represents a corrupt throne, who will bring misery by his/her decrees. 
Over the past century we have departed from honoring our Creator. Instead we have sought our own ways which always leads to destruction. Your Word says to first seek Your kingdom, but we have done everything else but put our faith in You. This departure has led to the election of government officials who seek the approval of man and the retention of power and not Your approval and the releasing of all control into Your hands. We ask Your forgiveness for not following the commands and principles outlined in Your Word as godly stewards of this great nation. We ask You to make us a people who genuinely reflect the character of Christ. As we practice good citizenship in voting the principles found in Your Word, may we fill every office in this land with righteous people called according to Your purpose. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen. (last paragraph adapted from Pastor John Hagee)
“Those who pay no regard to religion and seriousness in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any state are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dearly for their folly.” (John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration and President of Princeton University) 
“The blessing and protection of heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act, as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.” (George Washington, 1776) 
We the people of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows. (Preamble to the Constitution of Iowa)