Prayer points with Scriptures · 24 points
Prayer Points for the National Day of Prayer
These prayer points are for the National Day of Prayer, held in the United States on the first Thursday of May, and for any gathering that prays for the country. Rather than one long list, they walk through the areas of national life: government and those in authority, the church, families and schools, the military and first responders, business and work, and media and the arts. Every point is a prayer to God for people of every party.
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (BSB)
A church or group can give one section to each of six people and pray through the whole list in under an hour, or pray one section at noon each day of that week. Have someone read each verse aloud before the prayer, then name the real officials, schools, bases and businesses in your town. For a list centered on repentance and revival, see Prayer Points for the Nation. Verses are from the Berean Standard Bible.
Government and those in authority
1The President and federal leaders
God, endow those who lead our nation with Your justice and righteousness. We pray for the President, for members of Congress and for everyone who serves in the federal government: let them judge rightly, care for the afflicted and govern honestly.
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.
Psalm 72:1-2 (BSB)2Governors, mayors and local officials
God of Israel, David’s last words compared a ruler who governs justly and in the fear of God to sunrise on a cloudless morning. We pray for our governor, state legislators, mayor, city council and school board. Let their work bring light and growth to our communities.
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’
2 Samuel 23:3-4 (BSB)3Just laws and fair courts
Lord, it is by wisdom that rulers enact just laws and govern justly. Give wisdom to lawmakers as they write laws and to judges as they apply them. Let our laws protect human life, honor freedom and defend the weak, with equal justice for all.
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.
Proverbs 8:15-16 (BSB)4Christ’s government has no end
Lord Jesus, the government is upon Your shoulders, and of the increase of Your government and peace there will be no end. Whoever holds office this year, You reign. Keep us from fear, and from putting our hope in politics.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (BSB) · Pray this verse →
The church
5United in prayer
Lord, the first believers all continued in prayer with one accord. On this day, gather churches across our nation to pray together across denominations, races and generations, and let our praying be humble, honest and full of faith.
With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:14 (BSB)6One, so that the world may believe
Lord Jesus, You asked the Father that all who believe in You would be one, and that their unity would show the world He sent You. Heal the divisions among Christians in our country, and let our love for one another be a witness to our neighbors.
I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21 (BSB)7Freedom used to serve
Lord, You have called us to freedom in Christ, not to serve ourselves but to serve one another in love. In a country that prizes freedom, let Your church be known for loving our neighbors as ourselves, especially those who disagree with us.
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14 (BSB)8The knowledge of Your glory
LORD, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the sea. Let the gospel of Jesus reach every county, city and campus in this nation, and give Your people courage and kindness as they share it.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14 (BSB)
Families, schools and education
9Unless the LORD builds the house
LORD, our builders labor in vain unless You build the house, and our watchmen stand guard in vain unless You protect the city. Build the homes of our nation, strengthen marriages, and protect our cities and neighborhoods.
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 127:1 (BSB)10Faith for the next generation
God, let the coming generation know Your works, even children not yet born, so that they put their confidence in You. Help parents, grandparents and churches across this country pass on the faith to children who will tell their own children.
that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.
Psalm 78:6-7 (BSB)11Single parents, widows and the fatherless
LORD, You protect foreigners and sustain the fatherless and the widow. Uphold single parents, widows, foster and adoptive families and children growing up without a father, and raise up churches that stand beside them.
The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.
Psalm 146:9 (BSB)12Students and a love of learning
Lord, knowledge begins with the fear of the LORD. Bless students in public, private, Christian and home schools, and in colleges and trade schools. Give them a love of learning and, above all, reverence for You.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7 (BSB)13Teachers and school leaders
God, give wisdom to teachers, principals, coaches, counselors and school board members, and let it show in good conduct and humility. Strengthen tired teachers, and help them see each student as someone You made.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 (BSB)14Safe schools
God, You are a refuge and a strength for us, a help that is always near in trouble. Protect our schools and campuses from violence and harm. Make those who guard our students alert and wise, and comfort every school community that has known tragedy.
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 (BSB) · Pray this verse →
The military and first responders
15Our armed forces
O GOD the Lord, the strength of our salvation, You shield the head in the day of battle. Shield the men and women of our armed forces at home and overseas. Give their commanders wisdom, and bring them home safely.
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You shield my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 140:7 (BSB)16Police, firefighters and paramedics
Lord Jesus, You said no one has greater love than one who lays down his life for his friends, and You did that for us. Bless police officers, firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers who run toward danger. Protect them, and keep them honest, brave and kind.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (BSB) · Pray this verse →17Trusting in Your name, not in chariots
LORD our God, some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in Your name. Thank You for those who defend us. Keep our nation from trusting in its own strength, and make us a people who seek peace and look to You.
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psalm 20:7 (BSB)18Veterans, the wounded and military families
Lord, You are the healer of broken hearts, the One who binds up wounds. Care for veterans carrying wounds of body and mind, for spouses and children waiting through deployments, and for the families of the fallen. Lead them to good care and to caring churches.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3 (BSB) · Pray this verse →
Business and work
19Honest business
LORD, You hate dishonest scales and delight in honest weights. Bless business owners, farmers and executives who deal honestly. Expose fraud, and let honesty be rewarded in our markets.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Proverbs 11:1 (BSB)20Work as Your gift
God, finding satisfaction in our labor is Your gift. Give good work to those looking for it, safety to those in dangerous jobs and fair pay to those who struggle to make ends meet. Let our nation honor every kind of honest work.
and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 (BSB)21Kindness to the needy
Lord, whoever is kind to the needy honors You. Turn the hearts of employers, investors and lawmakers toward the poor, the unemployed and working families who are barely getting by, and show each of us how to help.
Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
Proverbs 14:31 (BSB)
Media and the arts
22Truthful news and journalism
LORD, You commanded Your people not to spread a false report. Give journalists, editors and news anchors courage to report the truth fairly, and protect our nation from lies, rumors and deliberate distortion.
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
Exodus 23:1 (BSB)23Artists, writers and entertainers
Father, raise up filmmakers, musicians, writers and artists who make what is true, honorable, pure and lovely. Bless Christians working in entertainment, and help all of us fill our minds with what is excellent.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (BSB)24Our own words online
LORD, set a guard over our mouths and keep watch at the door of our lips, and over our keyboards too. Before we post, share or comment, make us slow, truthful and kind, so that our words heal instead of divide.
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (BSB)
A closing prayer
Lord God, we bring our nation before You with petitions, prayers and thanksgiving. Give wisdom and integrity to all in authority. Strengthen Your church, our families and our schools. Protect those who serve in uniform, bless honest work, and fill our news and art with truth and beauty. Our hope is not in any party or office but in Jesus Christ, whose government has no end. Draw many in this land to know Him. In His name, Amen.
Pray with a voice
Short prayers with a voice to pray along with, each drawn from one passage.
Questions
When is the National Day of Prayer?
It falls on the first Thursday of May every year. A joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Truman in 1952, created the yearly observance, and a 1988 amendment set its date as the first Thursday in May. The President issues a proclamation for it each year.
What is the National Day of Prayer?
It is an annual observance set by US federal law, inviting Americans to turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals. Taking part is voluntary. The tradition is older than the law: the Continental Congress called for a day of prayer in 1775, and Abraham Lincoln called the nation to a day of prayer and fasting in 1863.
How can a church or group take part?
Gather at noon at your church, city hall, a park or a home. Give the six sections above to six people, read each verse aloud and pray, leaving room for others to add short prayers. Invite other churches in your town, pray for local officials by name, and keep the focus on prayer to God rather than politics.
Is the National Day of Prayer only for Christians?
The law invites all people in the United States to pray and does not name a religion. These prayer points are written for Christians, who pray to God the Father through Jesus Christ and follow Paul’s instruction to pray for everyone in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
More prayer points
Every verse on this page is quoted word for word from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which its publishers dedicated to the public domain. Copy, print and share these prayer points freely with your church.