A General Prayer by Richard Baxter (Part Two)

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16b)

“We pray, dear God,

• That You would put it in the hearts of the rulers of the world to submit to Christ and rule for Him as His stewards;
• That You would save them from temptations that would drown them in sensuality or would break them on Christ as a rock of offence by engaging them against His holy doctrine, ways, and servants; we pray
• That You would have mercy on the President of the United States, protect his person, illuminate and sanctify him by Your Spirit; we pray
• That the President would seek Your honor, the increase of the true faith, and holy obedience to Your laws; and
• That he would govern as Your minister, appointed by You for the terror of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do good; we pray
• That under the current leadership we would live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty; and
• That You would have mercy on all the other leaders in the land: the members of Congress, the members of the Supreme Court, and all of the other magistrates; we pray
• That they would fear You and be examples of holiness and temperance; haters of injustice, covetousness, and pride; and defenders of the innocent; and
• That in their eyes a vile person would be condemned and that they would honor those who fear the Lord; we pray
• That every soul would be subject to the higher powers and not resist; and
• That they would obey all in authority, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake; we pray
• That You would give all the churches able, faithful pastors who would soundly and diligently preach the Word of God and guide the flocks in ways of holiness and peace;
• That these pastors would not oversee and rule the churches by constraint but willingly, not for money, not as being lords over them but as the servants of all and as examples to the flock (that when the Chief Pastor shall appear, they may receive the crown of glory); we pray
• That the people of the churches would know those who are over them and labor among them preaching the Word of God; and
• That they would highly esteem them in love for their work’s sake, consider them worthy of double honor, and obey them in the Lord; we pray
• That parents would bring up their children in holy nurture so they will remember their Creator in the days of their youth;
• That children would love, honor, and obey their parents;
• That husbands would love their wives and guide them in knowledge and holiness; and
• That wives would love and obey their husbands; and we pray, dear God,
• That all others in authority would rule in the fear of God, and that those under their authority would obey in the Lord;

This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”