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The IFA community has been graciously invited to pray about the party platforms. This is something that IFA readers are very familiar with, since these pages often emphasize the importance of the party platforms. This request came from the Republican party. We encourage you to pray for the process and platform of both parties: may they reflect the heart of God and truths found in His Word!

From 40 Days for America. During the 40-day period beginning on the anniversary of D-Day on June 6th through the opening of the Republican National Convention on July 15th, you are invited to pray for faith, wisdom and courage especially for those Republicans who are leading the Republican Party Convention and the writing of the Republican Platform. This is a nonpartisan request; we also want God’s will to be done at the Democratic Party Convention.

Get involved in state-level prayer with IFA.

Every four years, the major political parties nominate a presidential candidate and write a platform that describes what that party believes and what it will do and be. The Republican Party was born of commitment to principle and the Republican Platform is the collective expression of those principles.

Many men and women of faith are working to develop the Republican Platform. Good ideas, good people, good writing and general good will abound. Because prayer will be the touchstone for success, we humbly ask you to join us in 40 days of prayer.

With all due respect for our fellow citizens who do not observe the practice of prayer, you are invited to join a quiet community of prayer for the next 40 days. We will spread the invitation broadly, but we will not advertise the participants or have public events.

Prayer participants may join for any day or any time and come in and out of the prayer period. Participants will pray and fast according to the Spirit.

A Prayer for We Americans of Faith

Lord,

Through our sin, we fell away from you. Through your Son, we are saved by you. In your Word, we are instructed by you.

In your community of faith, we build your kingdom.

Grant, Lord, all Americans of faith:

• the ability to hear Your Call in faith;
• the humility to accept Your Call in wisdom;
• and the strength to live Your Call in

At this historic time, we ask for Heroic Hope in the face of adversity. We ask this through our Savior, your son, Christ Jesus.

Amen.

For Reflection:

Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. . . . Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long (From Psalm 35).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Romans 13:1).

A Prayer by George Washington, June 8, 1783

Almighty God: We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Reverend Jacob Duché, September 7, 1774

O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved bands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior. Amen.

A Prayer for America by Billy Graham at the National Day of Prayer

Our Father and Our God,

We praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face.

Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace.

We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it.

You have said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord.

This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.

Thank you for your prayers. If you would like to know more, please email [email protected].