As we reflect on the events of this week, we are thankful for another smooth transfer of power. As the excitement of the inauguration comes to a close, we need to remember to pray for our new president and his cabinet as well as for our leaders here in Wisconsin.
With the mass onslaught of media throughout the election and inauguration, we were often reminded to pray for our nation. However, as the excitement subsides, we may tend to forget about the needs of our nation. But now is not the time to forget to pray! We need to commit to making 2025 a year of consistent prayer for our nation and state.
We need to commit to making 2025 a year of consistent prayer for our nation and state.
We are thankful that President Trump has acknowledged the need for prayer throughout his former presidency and his recent campaign. As he begins his new presidency, may Christians throughout the nation remember to uplift him in their prayers. Likewise, as our Wisconsin Legislature and courts consider important bills and cases pertaining to life, marriage, family, and religious freedom, we must remember to keep our state leaders in our prayers as well.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, “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.”
These verses not only compel us to pray for our leaders but also remind us why we should continuously keep them in our prayers. We should pray for our leaders that they will shape our nation in a way that enables us to live out our faith peacefully. Then, as we live in peace, we will be able focus on our ultimate mission, spreading the gospel. We should not desire national peace so that we can kick back our heels and relax. Rather, we should pray for peace because national peace provides us with an ideal setting for sharing the gospel. Thankfully, we still live in a nation with much religious freedom. Let us take advantage of the freedoms we now have, boldly living out and sharing our faith as God provides opportunities.
As we look into the weeks and months ahead, here are some specific ways you can pray for our state, nation, and leaders.
- First and foremost, pray that our leaders, from the president down to the members of our city councils, would come to faith in Jesus Christ. While we desire for our leaders to make God-honoring decisions, our ultimate desire should be that they will develop personal relationships with God.
- Pray that God will give our leaders wisdom, discernment, and courage to do what is right. Pray that He will move their hearts to value life, religious freedom, and God’s design for marriage and family.
- Pray for Wisconsin’s election this April. In this election, we have the opportunity to regain a conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Pray that God will help voters see the truth about these candidates and that they will value biblical principles through their votes. And pray that Christians will get out and vote.
- Pray that God would raise up the next generation of godly leaders for our nation.
With the ever-changing state of politics—locally, nationally, and globally—we can easily lose our focus on God and His control over all events. Rather than getting caught up in fear and worry, we should base our view of politics in the truths of God’s Word. On the other end of the spectrum, we can easily find ourselves putting our faith in political leaders instead of in God. However, any human being is far too unstable for our faith and trust. As we watch the political state of affairs in our state and nation this year, we must remember to ground ourselves in the Word of God and prayer, always putting our trust in God.
As we watch the political state of affairs in our state and nation this year, we must remember to ground ourselves in the Word of God and prayer, always putting our trust in God.
As we root ourselves in prayer, may we see God’s hand at work in our state and nation. Ultimately, we know that our citizenship is in Heaven, but, while we are here on this earth, let us labor and pray for a nation that honors God.
