National Prayer Connection December 17, 2020
Floyd LeBlanc, Prayer Leader
Our prayer assignment tonight is to pray for Pres Elect Biden, Vice President Elect Harris, their Administration and Congress. President Elect Biden was elected in November with a record vote count that exceeded 81 million.
Still, I don’t think many people would argue that the Biden-Harris Administration has an enormous job ahead of them. They step into leadership of this nation in the midst of a raging pandemic; the economy is in turmoil; there are open wounds from a dismal history of systemic racism; the federal government is dysfunctional and polarized; and our nation is divided, with a good portion of the 74 million people who voted for the outgoing president still claiming the presidential election was stolen. One political analyst said that President Elect Biden is inheriting a ‘mud sandwich!’ So, President Elect Biden, Vice President Elect Harris, their new Administration, Congress and this nation really need our prayers.
Tonight, I’m not led to give historical references that draw parallels to the challenges our new leaders face. Instead, we’re going straight into prayer.
Prayer Targets:
Pray against the Lying spirit and the demonic spirits of Chaos and Discord;
Pray against the raging pandemic; and
Pray to end the economic turmoil
Let’s pray – Oh Lord, our God, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! The pandemic has hospitals overflowing and many morgues full; the busted economy has unprecedented numbers of families in food lines; being Black in America has been, and continues to be ‘hazardous-to-a-person’s-health health; government dysfunction is so bad that it takes months for congress to send economic relief to the people they are elected to serve; and too many people are riding around with guns – protesting and threatening violence because the leader of their political party called the election “rigged,” even though they produced no credible evidence. Lord the U.S. is in a big mess with trouble on every side, so we in the Body of Christ are turning to You. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, Your Holy Word says “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore (or heal) their land.” God, in all humility, we repent for the church, for this nation – we turn back to You and away from sin – please Holy Spirit – heal our land! Heavenly Father, Your Word, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask You, God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” So, Lord, for the good of this nation – we pray Pres Elect Biden, Vice President Elect Harris, their Administration and Congress. Holy Spirit, You are a God of order and we joined You in witnessing the election results. The Biden-Harris ticket won the election with more than 81 million popular votes, more than 7 million more than the incumbent. And, more importantly, this ticket won the Electoral College vote, which really decides the election, with 306 votes, when only 270 votes are required. Still, for too many people, the lies have replaced the truth. In John 8:44, Jesus, You said the children of the devil love to do the things he does – that he was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. In John 8:31-32, Lord Jesus, You said those who remain faithful to Your teachings are truly your disciples – that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. So, as disciples of Your, Jesus, we stand against lies! We rebuke we the spirits of chaos and discord that continue to raise their heads. We take the authority you gave us in Luke 10:19 and we trample on these demonic serpents and scorpions – we rebuke you, in the name of Jesus. We destroy the assignments of our adversary; the devil and we silence the voice of every demonic force. We call forth God’s Spirits of truth, peace, reconciliation and unity to every corner of this nation – in Jesus’ name!
We call forth God’s order, now, in the name of Jesus! Lord, in 2 Chronicles 19:7 scripture says “Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.” So, we speak to the spirits of chaos and discord and we command you to cease and desist. You cannot steal this election. You cannot invalidate the votes of 81 million voters. You have no legal authority and we order you back to the pit of hell – in the name of Jesus! Holy Spirit, as President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris prepare to take office, in the midst of this health pandemic, economic turmoil and systemic racism – we, the Body of Christ on the National Prayer Connection – intercede on their behalf and on behalf of our nation. As the calendar moves toward 2021and beyond, we invoke Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 3:9-13 and we declare “here are (President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris) in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give (President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris) understanding hearts so that (they) can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself (or herself) is able to govern this great people of yours?” We confess that, as in scripture Lord, You were so impressed that Solomon had asked for wisdom, and, You are pleased that (the Body of Christ is interceding and) seeking an anointing of Your wisdom (for our new leaders). As Sister Jacquetta Smith led us in prayer last week – Lord, we pray that You will rub Your wisdom anointing all over (President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris). Your Word continues God, that You replied “Because (we) have asked for wisdom (for our new leaders) in governing (Your) people with justice and have not asked for a long lives or wealth or the death of their enemies — You will give them what we asked (on their behalf) – Your wisdom! You will give (President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris) wise and understanding hearts such as no one else (since Solomon) has had or ever will have! And, You will also give (them) what (we) did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to (them) for the rest of (their) lives! Holy Spirit, we pray that Your Word will be a lamp unto the feet of the new President and Vice President and a light unto their paths.
Lord, we thank You that COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Cause the people of this nation to yield to the wisdom You have revealed to us and comply with CDC guidelines, to wear masks and practice Social Distancing – as the private sector, government, medical and military communities work together to manufacture and distribute the vaccines. We plead the blood of Jesus over people currently stricken by the virus and declare that by Jesus’ stripes they are healed.
As President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris, their Administration and the new Congress prepare to lead, by faith, we call our national leaders saved, sanctified, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. We declare that Matthew 6:33 is operative in the lives of the people in this new administration and Congress. As our political leaders seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, they will receive from You everything they need to lead our nation. We confess that because a significant number of the new leaders in the Administration and Congress (are – or soon will be) born-again Believers, they will understand, that according to 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV), (they) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, Your own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of You, Lord, Who called them out of darkness into Your marvelous light.” Holy Spirit we pray that the Spirit that rested upon Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego will rest upon the majority of these leaders. Like Daniel – in Daniel, chapter 1, verse 8, these born-again leaders will be determined not to defile (themselves) by taking on the customs of this world. Lord, we pray, as You did with Daniel and the Hebrew Boys, that You will give the Believers on the new leadership team (as in Daniel 1:17) an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And, as with Daniel, You will give some (of them) the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. We further pray Daniel 1:20 – that when the people called by Your name among the new leadership team are consulted on any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, they will be found ten times more capable than their (peers).”
As President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris continue to choose Cabinet Members, Department Heads and staff, we pray that they will not select leaders based on the world’s standards – whether people are progressive enough, moderate or too conservative. Let new leaders not be chosen based on the college they attend or which prominent people they know. Rather, we pray for Your standard to be applied, as in 1 Samuel 16:7, where, when You chose David as King You told Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So, Lord as new leaders are chosen, cause those men and women to be measured by Your standards. We declare that the new leaders will be evaluated according to the fruit in their lives. Galatians 5:22-25 will be the standard “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in (their) lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since (they) are living by the Spirit, (let them) follow the (Holy) Spirit’s leading in every part of (their) lives.”
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Prayer Targets:
Pray for the dismantling of systemic racism;
Pray for God to break the partisan gridlock in our polarized national government;
Pray for God to heal the wounds of this divided nation; and
Pray for the Body of Christ to show that – Jesus is the answer for the world today – Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. Yes, Jesus is the answer for the world today – Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way!
Faithful Father, as President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris, members of their Administration and the new Congress prepare to lead in 2021, give them Your wisdom to successfully navigate through our country’s dismal history of systemic racism, and what has been a polarized national government and a divided nation. We pray their decisions will be inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit. Father, in Daniel 2:20-22 Your Word says that we should, “Praise (Your) name God forever and ever, for (You have) all wisdom and power. (You) control the course of world events; You remove kings and sets up other kings. (You) give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. (You) reveal deep and mysterious things and (You) know what lies hidden in darkness, though (You are) surrounded by light.” So, Holy Spirit, we ask You to fill our national political leaders with Your wisdom, understanding, discernment, and revelation knowledge. Grant them favor with You and with people, increase their faith, and prepare them to pursue Your excellence. Draw them to You and cause them to know and fulfill Your purposes. Please place people in their paths that will provide scriptural, sound and godly counsel; for without Your counsel their plans will go awry. Impart Your wisdom and revelation to them about leadership and help them to lead. Deal with our leaders about keeping their hearts and motives pure. We ask You to make their hearts pliable, willing and obedient to Your will. Cause each of them to lead, and to live their lives in ways that bring glory to Your Name.
Magnificent Father, we pray that You will help the new Presidential Administration and Congress find common ground and good success. Cause them to work to be one nation under God, invisible – with liberty and justice for all. Cause them to work together in unity and harmony for the good of the people. We confess that our leaders will operate in accordance with Psalm 133 and they will recognize – “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there Lord (is where You have) pronounced (Your) blessing, even life everlasting.”
Lord, help the new Presidential Administration and Congress find common ground on badly needed economic stimulus funding and programs to rebuild the economy. Holy Spirit, we declare that the Body of Christ, will rise up – in the face of these challenges and pray, serve and show the world Your love. In John 3:16, Your Word confirms God that You so loved the world that you sent Your only begotten Son, so that all who believed on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.” So, Lord, cause the Body of Christ to reflect the lyrics of this song by Sandra Crouch / Andrae’ Crouch –
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way
If you have some questions
In the corners of your mind
And traces of discouragement
And peace you can not find
Reflection of the old past
They seem to face you every day
There’s one thing I know for sure
That Jesus is the way
We confess that the Body of Christ will pray for our leaders. We will love, walk and serve in line with Matthew 5:14-16 “(We are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do (people) light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (We will) Let (our) lights so shine before men (and women), that they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father in heaven.” We will lift up the name of Jesus. So that You draw all [people unto You, Father!
We are convinced that to dismantle systemic racism – Jesus is the answer for the world today – Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. To break the decades-long partisan gridlock in our polarized national government – Jesus is the answer for the world today – Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. To heal the wounds of this divided nation of red states and blue states, to at long last, really become the United States – to dwell in unity and harmony, where You, God, have commanded Your blessing – the Body of Christ must show that – Jesus is the answer for the world today – Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way.