The following prayer was prayed at the national prayer breakfast at Inchyra hotel on the 16ht of June 2015. I led 250 plus politicians, business people, church leaders, media people and others from different walks of life in prayer – the parts in bold (from Psalm 80) were said in unison. Please pray for the nation of Scotland…
Prayer for The Nation
O Lord our God,
Our Father in Heaven,
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
We come before acknowledging that you are our Creator, Provider and Sustainer, that you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That you alone Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are worthy of praise.
We come before you to give thanks for our nation, the nation of Scotland.
You have blessed this small land in the past, and you continue to bless.
Every good gift we receive is from your hands.
You have granted us an abundance of food, water and protection.
We have education, health care and a productive people.
O Lord you have given to us freedom of religion, democracy and a free press.
We thank you for our freedoms, riches and people.
And yet we come to you concerned for our nation,
Because we have forgotten you, your word and your laws.
We have become fat, proud and arrogant,
We think that we can make it on our own, without you.
Restore us O God;
Make your face shine on us,
That we may be saved.
We are conscious that there is injustice, poverty and corruption.
We confess that there in inequality in education, opportunities and wealth.
Restore us O God;
Make your face shine on us,
That we may be saved.
We pray for the sick, lonely and depressed.
We pray for the stranger and those who fell alienated.
We pray for the people of this land, whatever their wealth, social status, race, class or sexuality. All are made in your image. And all share in the brokenness of that image in humanity because of sin.
Restore us O God;
Make your face shine on us,
That we may be saved.
Your church is confused, battered and broken.
The prophets are silent and the people, who were once known as the people of The Book, are ignorant of your Word.
Restore us O God;
Make your face shine on us,
That we may be saved.
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that by your Holy Spirit, you would visit this nation again.
Lord, revive us and we will call on you again.
Lord grant us a spirit of repentance, humility and holy joy.
Enable this land to be a beacon of light in a world of darkness.
And may each of us here know what it is to come out of the darkness into your glorious light,
Restore us O God;
Make your face shine on us,
That we may be saved.
Amen, Amen and Amen