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     After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9-10
     Dear heavenly Father, on this “national day of prayer,” it’s easy to think of several things to bring before your throne of grace, with joy and gratitude. First of all, I praise you for heavenly citizenship. Thank you for making me a citizen of the only unshakable kingdom—the kingdom of God. Though this standing in grace came freely to me, it cost you the life of your beloved Son, Jesus. Thanks be to God for this “indescribable gift.”
     Already reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords, we eagerly await Jesus’ return, by which all evil will be eradicated and the transformation of all things will be complete—including a renewed and whole me. I can barely imagine the day when, not only will I never be tempted to sin again, I will be unable to sin forever. That Day cannot come one day too soon!
     Secondly, as broken as our country is, I’m very thankful to be an American citizen, Father. I praise you for the many freedoms we still enjoy and the multiplied privileges that go with being a citizen of this great nation. We bring our sitting president before the occupied throne of heaven, and we ask you to be at work in his heart and through his hands.
     As with all “kings,” you set them up and you sit them down at your discretion, so we trust you, Father, for the accomplishment of your sovereign purposes through our president. Grant him wisdom, and prove yourself to be the God who opens doors no man can shut, and the One who closes doors no man can open. Our ultimate hope is not in our country, but in your Christ. We don’t look for a “lasting city” here, but for “the City whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).
     Lastly, Father, as I grow in my understanding of the gospel, I find great joy to pray in view of the  apostle John’s vision of the “every nation” day of prayer (Rev. 7:9). Oh, for the Day when men and women from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be wearing the white robes of grace-secured salvation while waving palm branches of praise and shouting in perfect harmony, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:10).
     Because that Day is coming, free us to be good citizens right where you’ve planted us—without naiveté, fear or cynicism. Until the kingdom of God arrives in fullness and King of Glory arrives in splendor, help us to “love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Pet 2:17). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ sovereign and saving name.

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