We are not praying for the Christianization of our nation or our leaders. That prayer is covered when we pray for all who hear the Word of God to believe that Word by the power of the Spirit. We are praying for the nation and for the government and the leaders of our nation to be governed and guided by the voice of God primarily speaking through the Law or Commandments. The government is not the Church and the Church is not the government but each has their own calling and purpose from God and in God's merciful will. It is not the job of the government and the leaders of our country to encourage faith but neither should they threaten the faith or the faithful.
Neither are we praying for America against all other nations. Rather we are praying for peace and for justice and for our nation to live in peace and justice with all nations and peoples and them with us as Americans. We do not pray our country right or wrong but for our nation and for all nations to know and live in accord with God's merciful will so that the poor will not be oppressed, the weak will not be trampled upon, life will be respected as God's gift and our responsibility to preserve, and war and violence may not threaten. This is not unpatriotic but the most honest and godly patriotism of all.
We are not praying for our nation to be Christian. Can a nation be Christian? Or is Christianity for people? It is enough that our nation and others preserve the freedom to worship without fear, without persecution, without establishing religion but also neither constraining it, and without either Church or State presuming to be the other. We are to pray for all people to know the truth that sets them free but we dare not muddy the waters by praying for or presuming ours is a righteous or Christian country.
We certainly have a duty to pray for godly causes which our government might threaten with policies or laws that conflict with what is godly, right, and true. Abortion is a good example. Abortion is not a political cause although it certainly is affected by and affects the politics of our lands. Abortion is the cause of life which deserves not only our commentary but also our prayers. To pray for what is good and right and true is to pray that His good and gracious will be done. It is to pray also that we be good citizens -- people who honor those in authority over us, use our freedom to love one another, and participate in an educated way in the political process. It is to pray that the government make it possible for us to be those good citizens.
Consider here the Table of Duties in Luther's Small Catechism.
Of Civil Government
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrong-doer. Rom. 13:1–4
Of Citizens
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. Matt. 22:21
It is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Rom. 13:5–7
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. 1 Tim. 2:1–3
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good. Titus 3:1
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13–14
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