This Wednesday marks the Inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Many of us feel uneasy about this particular Inauguration due to the political unrest we've all seen in recent weeks and months. Many wonder what this turmoil means for our nation as a whole for the next four years and beyond. We can be sure, however, that no matter who is in office, the Bible calls us to pray for the people who lead our government. As Christians, Wednesday is an important day to lift up prayers to God as we see the transition from one leader to the next.
The Bible calls us to pray for our leaders and elected officials. We should ask that God guide our leaders to make just decisions, to care for the least of these and that they follow after God’s own heart, as leaders such as King David did (1 Samuel 13:14). God is in control of this event as Biden is set to be sworn in on the 20th of January.
As Joe Biden is inaugurated into the office this next week, we should lift up the very same prayers that we have for past leaders who have fulfilled this office and other leadership positions. For some great reasons on why to pray for Biden, check out this article by Russell Moore.
Russell Moore states, about the Inauguration, “In our constitutional system, of course, we have no kings—the ultimate authority rests with the people—but the Scripture calls for honor and prayers for all of those who hold authority, not just, in the first-century context, for the emperor but for all. As Christians, even our prayers can help re-center us away from the pull to conform to the pattern of the world.”
We also highly suggest taking a look at this article on prayers to say and verses to read on Inauguration Day.
Let’s pray for our appointed leaders and ask that God will lead them.
Heavenly Father, as Joe Biden is inaugurated this week, I ask that you guide his footsteps in the White House. May he know what is good, what is just, and what is merciful and act according to the principles found in Micah 6:8. Lord, I know you have a plan for every leader and that you have established every authority in the past, present, and in the future. May Joe follow in the examples of exemplary leaders found in Scripture such as David, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Jehoshaphat. They trusted in you, and you helped them to lead their nation with strength, courage, and compassion. May Joe Biden lead with the words found within Scripture. And may he seek the guidance of wise believers, the Bible, and God himself on how to best fellow after God’s own heart. Amen.
Scripture has a great deal to say about appointed leaders and why we should lift them up in our prayers. Let’s take a look at some of the verses that talk about this.
1 Timothy 2:1-4: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Paul continues to lift up in the leaders of Rome in his prayers and encourages believers to do the same. He admonishes us to ask that they lead with peace, dignity, and exercise godly leadership.
1 Peter 2:17: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
When Peter writes this, he is under the rule of emperors from Rome. Obviously, in America, our governing system looks a little differently. But just as Peter calls for believers to honor the Emperor, so should we honor those who find themselves elected as leaders, including those who will uphold the office of the President.
Romans 13:1: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Paul reminds believers that God has established leadership and has a plan for each leader and authority figure. For some encouraging and instructional verses on the biblical response to leaders, check out this wonderful article by Jason Soroski.
With all of these verses in mind, we have included some more eample prayers for Inauguration Day. Please feel free to pray as the Spirit leads, and do not feel that you have to follow the templates below word-for-word. However, if you need some guidance or some examples on how to pray during this event, please feel free to pray the words you find below.
Lord, the Inauguration is a big day for our nation None of us can foresee what will happen in the next four years, but we know that it will all go according to your plan. Show us how to best pray for the leaders of this nation and the policies they will enact. Help our talk to be seasoned with salt and that we set a good example to the world of trust, of honor, and of Christlike love. Remind us to pray often for those who lead us and to ask that you place in the lives of our leaders advisors who will lead according to the statutes and principles of the nation and those found within Scripture. Amen.
Jesus, you are our Prince of Peace. In this time of upheaval and uncertainty, we ask that you lead Joe Biden in the way of peace and dignity. May he find ways to honor all people, help the least of these, and exemplify Christlike leadership. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chooses for His inheritance.” Leaders can often represent a nation as a whole. We ask that our nation, and our leader and all others appointed in offices in Washington DC, choose to set you as Lord of our nation and choose to follow in your footsteps. Help us when we go astray, and may in all things Biden lead with peace, dignity, and honor in your Name. Amen.
As Christians, we should lead by example and lift anyone in authority up to the Lord in prayer, supplication, and intercession.
May God give our leaders wisdom and discernment as they lead, and may we continually lift them up in our prayers.
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This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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