Dear, Father, God,

I humbly come before your throne with prayers for our nation.  There seems to be so much hatred and violence in the hearts of our people.  We can place the blame on this and that, but the truth is, we are all guilty and have fallen short of what you expect of us.  Hate was never part of your original plan.  You created this world to be perfect in every way.

But there was one who thought he was wiser, smarter and more powerful than you.  When he entered your perfectly created domain, sin also came with him.  Today we see the results of that original sin in the minds of all people, in the hearts of those who aren’t getting their way, in the actions of those whose minds have been twisted by the evil that permeates our civilization.

There is no one here we can trust.  Even our churches, schools and workplaces are at risk of becoming victim to terroristic attacks.  You are the only One to look to when times get out of hand like they are today.  You, who thought nothing of sacrificing your own blood for the forgiveness of sin, are the only answer when things seem hopeless.

We as a nation, need to turn back to you for help.  We can’t overcome the evil alone.  Even though the devil was defeated when Christ conquered sin and death, he still is allowed to roam the earth until the end of time.  We continue to need your protection from the madness around us.  We pray for your intervention in a world seemingly falling to the pit of hell.

I know that you love us, even when we are unlovable.  I implore you to plant the seeds of love back into the hearts of men.  Help us to work together, even when we’re not always united in our thinking.  Someone once said, “what the world needs now is love.”  This is so true, but we must remember that it has always been available to us through you.  Draw us to you. Cleanse the evil from a world that has forgotten or given up on you.  Only you can bring love to the world again, as you did when you first sent your Son to us.

I pray this in His holy name.  Come again, Lord, Jesus.  AMEN!