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Pray for the Young and the Old

Intercession 5.19 | NIV

For the several ages and conditions of men, as they stand in need of mercy and grace.

For those who are young and setting out in the world.

Lord, give to those who are young to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; Ecclesiastes 12:1(NIV) that thereby they may be kept from the vanity which childhood and youth are subject to, and may be restrained from walking in the way of their heart and in the sight of their eyes, by considering that for all these things God will bring them to judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9(NIV)

Lord, make young people self-controlled; Titus 2:6(NIV) and let the word of God live in them, that they may be strong and may overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14(NIV)

From the womb of the dawn let Christ receive the dew of your youth; Psalm 110:3(NIV) and let him be formed in the hearts of those who are young. Galatians 4:19(NIV)

Keep those who are setting out in the world from the corruption in the world caused by evil desires; 2 Peter 1:4(NIV) and give to those who have been well-educated, to keep the pattern of sound teaching, 2 Timothy 1:13(NIV) and to continue in what they have learned. 2 Timothy 3:14(NIV)

For those who are old and of long standing in profession.

There are some who are old disciples of Jesus Christ; Acts 21:16(KJV) Lord, give them still to bear fruit in old age and to proclaim: “The LORD is upright; he is our Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” Psalm 92:14-15(NIV)

Now the days of trouble have come and the years have approached when they say that they find no pleasure in them; Ecclesiastes 12:1(NIV) let your consolation bring joy to their souls. Psalm 94:19(NIV)

You have said, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” You have made them, Lord; I beg you, carry, sustain, and rescue them. Isaiah 46:4(NIV)

Those whom you have taught from their youth up and to this day have declared all your marvelous deeds, now, also, when they are old and gray, do not forsake them; Psalm 71:17-18(NIV) do not cast them away when they are old; do not forsake them when their strength is gone. Psalm 71:9(NIV)

Let every gray head be a crown of splendor to those who have it, being attained by a righteous life, Proverbs 16:31(NIV) and give them to know whom they have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12(NIV)

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Pray for the Educational Institutions and Common Citizens of your Nation

Intercession 5.18 | NIV

For all the universities, schools, and nurseries of learning.

Let the schools of the prophets be replenished with every good and perfect gift from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17(NIV)

Cast salt into these fountains and heal its waters, 2 Kings 2:21(NIV) so that from them may issue streams which shall make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4(NIV)

For the common people of the land.

Give grace to all the subjects of this land, that they may, under the government God has set over this nation, live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, 1 Timothy 2:2(NIV) living together in unity, Psalm 133:1(NIV) that the Lord may bestow a blessing upon his people, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:3(NIV)

Let all of every denomination who fear God and do what is right, be accepted by him; Acts 10:35(NIV) yes, may those who love your salvation say continually, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servants.” Psalm 35:27(NIV)

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Pray for the Ministers of God’s Holy Word and Sacraments

Intercession 5.17 | NIV

For all the ministers of God’s holy word and sacraments, the masters of assemblies.

Teach your ministers how they ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, 1 Timothy 3:15(NIV) that they may not preach themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:5(NIV) and may do their best to present themselves to God as approved, workmen who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15(NIV)

Grant them a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, Acts 18:24(NIV) that by them they may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:17(NIV) in their teaching showing integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Titus 2:7-8(NIV)

Enable them to devote themselves to reading, to preaching, to teaching; 1 Timothy 4:13(NIV) to be diligent in these matters; 1 Timothy 4:15(NIV) to give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word; Acts 6:4(NIV) to give themselves wholly to them, and to persevere in them, that they may save both themselves and their hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16(NIV)

Let words be given to them, so that they may open their mouths and fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, that they may declare it as they should, Ephesians 6:19-20(NIV) as competent ministers of the new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; 2 Corinthians 3:6(NIV) and let them obtain mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 7:25(NIV)

Let their arms stay strong and limber because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob; Genesis 49:24(NIV) and let them be filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, Micah 3:8(NIV) to declare to your people their rebellion and the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1(NIV)

Make them sound in the faith, Titus 1:13(NIV) and enable them always to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine, Titus 2:1(NIV) gently instructing those who oppose them; and let not the Lord’s servants quarrel; instead, let them be kind to everyone and able to teach. 2 Timothy 2:24-25(NIV)

Make them good examples to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity; 1 Timothy 4:12(NIV) and let them be pure who carry the vessels of the LORD, Isaiah 52:11(NIV) and let HOLY TO THE LORD be written upon their foreheads. Exodus 28:36(NIV)

Lord, grant that they may not labor to no purpose or spend their strength in vain and for nothing, Isaiah 49:4(NIV) but let the Lord’s hand be with them, that many may believe and turn to the Lord. Acts 11:21(NIV)

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Pray for your Judges and Judicial Rulers

Intercession 5.16 | NIV

For the magistrates, the judges, and justices of peace in the several counties and corporations.

Make those who rule over my nation righteous, ruling in the fear of God; 2 Samuel 23:3(NIV) and let those who judge remember that they are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with them whenever they give a verdict, that therefore the fear of the LORD may be upon them. 2 Chronicles 19:6-7(NIV)

Make them capable men – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain, Exodus 18:21(NIV) so that justice may roll on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:24(NIV)

Enable my nation’s magistrates to defend the cause of the weak and fatherless, to maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed, to rescue the weak and needy, and to deliver them from the hand of the wicked; Psalm 82:3-4(NIV) and let rulers never be a terror to good works, but to the evil. Romans 13:4(NIV)

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Pray for all who are Employed in the Conduct of Public Affairs

Intercession 5.15 | NIV

For the advisers, cabinet members, members of Congress or Parliament, the ambassadors and envoys abroad, and all who are employed in the conduct of public affairs.

Counsel my nation’s counselors, and teach its elders wisdom: Psalm 105:22(NIV) O give them a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of power, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD, to enable them to delight in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2-3(NIV)

O do not silence the lips of trusted advisers nor take away the discernment of elders, Job 12:20(NIV) nor ever let what would bring the nation peace be hidden from the eyes of those who are instructed with the nation’s counsels. Luke 19:42(NIV)

Make it to appear that you preside in the great assembly and judge among the “gods,” Psalm 82:1(NIV) and that when the nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, the God of Abraham himself is among them; and let the kings of the earth belong to the Lord, that he may be greatly exalted. Psalm 47:9(NIV)

Let those who are of my nation build the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations; that they may be called Repairers of the Broken Walls and Restorers of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12(NIV)

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Pray for the Safe and Righteous Continuation of your Civil Government

Intercession 5.14 | NIV

For the safe and righteous continuation of my nation’s civil government, that a blessing may attend it, that peace and truth may be established in our days and secured to posterity, and that the hopes of our adversaries and all their aiders and abettors may be extinguished.

Lord, preserve to us the lamp which you have set up for your Anointed One, Psalm 132:17(NIV) so the next generation would know you, even the children yet to be born, that they would put their trust in God and keep his commands. Psalm 78:6-7(NIV)

Let the gospel-believing church abide before God forever: O appoint love and faithfulness to protect it, then will we ever sing praise to your name. Psalm 61:7-8(NIV) Thus, let the Lord save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah, and the children of your servants will inherit it, and those who love your name will dwell there. Psalm 69:35-36(NIV)

Let the design of those who would choose a leader to go back to Egypt, Numbers 14:4(NIV) be again defeated; and let not the fatal wound that has been given to the beast be healed anymore. Revelation 13:11-12(NIV)

Let our eyes see Jerusalem, the city of our festivals, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved: Let none of its stakes be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. Let the LORD be our Mighty One and be to us like a place of broad rivers and streams; for the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. Isaiah 33:20-22(NIV)

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Pray for your Head of State

Intercession 5.13 | NIV

For all orders and degrees of men, and all I stand in any relation to.

For my nation’s Head of State, that God will protect his person, preserve his health, and continue his life and government long a public blessing.

Endow our ruler with your justice, O God, and your righteousness, Psalm 72:1(NIV) that he may defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4(NIV)

Let his rule be established through righteousness, Proverbs 25:5(NIV) and made secure through love. Proverbs 20:28(NIV) Give him long life and length of days, forever and ever; and through the victories you give, may his glory be great. Make him glad with the joy of your presence: through the unfailing love of the Most High let him not be shaken. Psalm 21:4-7(NIV)

Clothe his enemies with shame, but let him be resplendent; Psalm 132:18(NIV) and continue him long, very long, a foster father to your Israel. Isaiah 49:23(NIV)

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Pray for the Healing of your Nation’s Unhappy Divisions and Success Against your Nation’s Enemies

Intercession 5.12 | NIV

For the healing of my nation’s unhappy divisions and the making up of its breaches.

For the divisions that are among us, there are great searchings of heart; Judges 5:16(KJV) for there are three against two and two against three in a family. Luke 12:52(NIV) But is our wound as wide as the sea, which cannot be healed? Lamentations 2:13(NIV) Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22(NIV) Lord, mend the fractures of our land, for it is quaking. Psalm 60:2(NIV)

I beg in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that there may be no divisions among us, but that we may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10(NIV)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give us a spirit of unity among ourselves as we follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 15:5-6(NIV) and promote the salvation we share. Jude 1:3(NIV)

Lord, keep us from judging one another and looking down on one another, Romans 14:10(NIV) and enable us to make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification; Romans 14:19(NIV) that living in love and peace, the God of love and peace may be with us. 2 Corinthians 13:11(NIV)

Let nothing be done out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but everything in humility; Philippians 2:3(NIV) and grant that my gentleness may be evident to all, because the Lord is near. Philippians 4:5(NIV)

For victory and success against my nation’s enemies abroad who seek its ruin.

Rise, O LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you; but return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of your Israel. Numbers 10:35-36(NIV)

Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. Through God let our forces gain the victory; indeed, let God himself trample down our enemies, Psalm 60:11-12(NIV) and give them as dust to our sword and as windblown chaff to our bow. Isaiah 41:2(KJV)

Let us be a people saved by the LORD, our shield and helper and our glorious sword; Deuteronomy 33:29(NIV) and make our enemies sensible that the Lord fights for us against them. Exodus 14:25(NIV)

Those who risk their lives for us on the heights of the field, Judges 5:18(NIV) train their hands for war and their fingers for battle; Psalm 144:1(NIV) give them the shield of your victory, and let your right hand sustain them, Psalm 18:35(NIV) and shield their heads in the day of battle. Psalm 140:7(NIV)

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Pray for the Moral Decency and Civility of your Nation

Intercession 5.11 | NIV

For the success of all endeavors for the reformation of manners, the suppression of vice and profaneness, the support of religion and virtue, and the bringing of them into reputation.

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Psalm 7:9(NIV) Spirit many to rise up for you against the wicked and to take a stand for you against evildoers. Psalm 94:16(NIV)

Let the Redeemer come to Zion and turn godlessness away from Jacob; Romans 11:26(NIV) and let the filth of Jerusalem be cleansed from its midst by the Spirit of judgment and the Spirit of fire. Isaiah 4:4(NIV)

Let all wickedness shut its mouth; Psalm 107:42(NIV) and let the infection of that plague be checked by intervening judgment. Psalm 106:30(NIV)

Let those who are striving against sin never grow weary or lose heart. Hebrews 12:3-4(NIV)

Remove the spirit of impurity from the land, Zechariah 13:2(NIV) and purify the lips of the people, that they may call on the name of the LORD. Zephaniah 3:9(NIV)

Set your people in praise, fame, and honor high above all the nations by making us a holy people to the LORD our God. Deuteronomy 26:19(NIV)

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Pray for the Continuance of your Nation’s Outward Peace and Tranquility

Intercession 5.10 | NIV

For the continuance of my nation’s outward peace and tranquility, its liberty and plenty, for the prosperity of its trade, and a blessing upon the fruits of the earth.

Let God himself be a wall of fire around us and the glory within us; Zechariah 2:5(NIV) yes, let his gospel be our glory, and over that glory let there be a canopy; and create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. Isaiah 4:5(NIV)

May there be peace within our walls and security within our citadels, Psalm 122:7(NIV) the prosperity both of merchandise and husbandry, that Zebulun may rejoice in his going out and Issachar in his tents. Deuteronomy 33:18(NIV)

Make salvation for us our walls and ramparts; and, to that end, let the gates be opened that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. Isaiah 26:1-2(NIV)

Make peace our governor and righteousness our ruler; let violence never be heard in our land, nor ruin or destruction within our borders, but let us call our walls Salvation and our gates Praise: Isaiah 60:17-18(NIV) Never let our land be called Deserted and Desolate, but let the Lord take delight in us, and let our land be married to him. Isaiah 62:4(NIV)

Let our peace be like a river and, to that end, our righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18(NIV) Let that righteousness abound among us that exalts a nation, and deliver us from sin, which is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34(NIV)

Never make our skies like bronze and our ground like iron, Deuteronomy 28:23(NIV) nor take away your grain when it ripens and your new wine when it is ready; Hosea 2:9(NIV) but give us rain moderately, both autumn and spring rains in season, Joel 2:23(NIV) and assure us of the regular weeks of harvest, Jeremiah 5:24(NIV) giving us fair weather also in its season. Let our land yield its increase and the trees their fruit, that we may eat all the food we want and live in safety in our land. Leviticus 26:4-5(NIV)

Bless us with abundant provisions, and satisfy our poor with food, Psalm 132:15(NIV) that those who harvest it may eat it and praise the LORD. Isaiah 62:9(NIV) Do not blow it away, for then when we expect much, it will turn out to be little; Haggai 1:9(NIV) but bless our blessings, that all the nations may call us blessed and a delightful land. Malachi 3:10-12(NIV)