For wisdom

Proverbs 4:4b-9

  “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

Dear God,

Help our president to seek wisdom as you offer it.

Amen

Back from break

Leader: O Christ, Ruler of rulers, direct the work and thoughts of the leaders of nations, that they may seek justice and further peace and freedom for all. God of all mercies...
Everyone: ...hear our prayer.

The weight of responsibility

Dear God,

Please help President Trump, give him the strength he needs to help the people in this country. Help them by getting out of their way when the government is too involved. Help them by not taking away the things that are sustaining them. Guide health care. Guide the decisions being made.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

tired

Dear God,

I'm tired, and I don't run the government of the most powerful country in the world. Please give strength and good rest to everyone who needs it, including President Trump.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

For respect for women

Dear God,

Thank you that you made human beings in your image, and that you value the lives and contributions of women more than any person on this earth. Help President Trump to truly serve and respect the women in this country, guard his mouth, and his heart. Guide his policy, particularly as regards women's health, that no one will be discriminated against because of their gender.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

For elections throughout the world

Dear God,

I pray for the upcoming elections in The Netherlands and throughout Europe, that you would give people eyes to  see not only their own concerns but the concerns of those with whom they share a country. Please be with all those threatened by the way people are speaking sometimes in the Netherlands. Help President Trump to be a fair leader to the whole country, and not just to answer to money or influence.

I pray this in Jesus' name,
Amen

For refugees

Dear God,

I pray for the refugees. I pray for our country that we as citizens would have a heart to help the world, and people from places of crisis. I pray for South Sudan. I pray for Syria. I pray for Lebanon. And I pray for President Trump that he would become a voice for compassion.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

for a wise use of twitter

Dear God,

I don't know what to pray for all the time. Sometimes the news is so bleak, and the tweets from our president are so crazy that I don't know what to pray. Help President Trump to love truth. Keep lies from his mouth, and from his tweets. You are the God who rejoices in the truth.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

That we may be good stewards of this earth

Dear God,

Please help us individually and nationally to honor you with the way we treat this world. Help us reduce the amount of waste we produce, the sorts of energy we take for granted, the water and air which is so easily polluted.

Guide President Trump as he leads our nation's position as the world struggles to adjust to a changing climate, and as we take responsibility for our own actions. Give us grace to help one another in this giant task. Help us to love each other as neighbors as we seek to preserve this world.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

Ash Wednesday

Dear God,

You are our hope in times of darkness. You are the substance where we are dust. You are steady when we are flighty. Help us. Work in us. Transform us by the power of your son. Show us the darkness of our sin, and turn us to your light. Lead us to confession, and make us new.

I pray for our country and for the world, as the church universal mourns for sin, and I pray for president Trump that you would lead him in your ways.

In Jesus' name,
Amen