Praying for Our Nation

Colossians 4:2-62 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  We must continue to pray for our Nation with right attitudes:1. Praying in Alertness   Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful Spiritual Warfare: Deception, Division, Destruction  2. Praying with an attitude of thanksgiving Devote yourselves to prayer, being thankful.   a.      God is in control                                                    i.     Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.                                                  ii.     Romans 13:1  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. b.     God is fulfilling His will                                                    i.     Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.                                                 c.      God answers our prayers                                                                 ii.     1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.                                                iii.     John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. OUR RESPONSES1. Daily Faithfulness  Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 2. Spiritual Alertness Ephesians 6:10-13, 18 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 3. Gospel Effectiveness 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone