A prayer for the nation

Dear Lord God,

     This morning we would like to thank You for placing us here, in this country, where freedom still is the prevailing theme that ties us all together.  And we'd like to thank You for placing me here for such a time as this.
     Lord God, You said through Your prophets that if Your people, whom are called by Your name, shall humble themselves and pray; that You will hear from Heaven and heal our land.  We are praying to You now, oh Lord.  We need Your healing upon this land now more than ever!  Our government officials are so corrupt, we can no longer cast our vote for "the good candidate", but we have to vote for who we feel is "the lesser of the two evils".  God, helps us!
     Lord, according to Your Word, it seems that we are living in the last days, and people don't seem to care.  We know Your warning to us.  Yet there are still many so-called "Christians" who, rather than being makers of peace, they desire to spread hate and contempt toward those who oppose their views.  Jesus, You told us that "blessed are the peacemakers".  Many people, not just Christians, are familiar with that saying.  Yet, there are many people filling the seats of Your churches nation-wide who almost seem to enjoy spreading hate.  We must not be ignorant, but be made aware of the issues at hand.  But as You know, there's a great difference between making people aware and hate speech.
     Not only that, but too many of us prefer to speak ill of our leadership than to pray for it!  Lord, this is not good!  Lord, forgive us.  God, please help us!
     Teach us as a people, and a nation, what it means to be a peace maker.  Teach us what mercy and grace are.  Lord, teach us and compel us to do more for our nation and its leadership than to just complain about how it's being run.  Teach us, Lord, what unity can and will do.  Teach us HOW to unite, Lord God!  I think that is one of are biggest problems as Your people.  We focus on our own divisions rather than how we may bridge, or repair, the gaps that divide.  Teach us to be peace makers,  rather than peace takers, once again.
     We need You Lord.

Amen