Praying Psalms for America: More Prayers from the Heart of America Volume 2

By Cynthia J Stewart

Praying Psalms for America provides just the inspiration you need to pray with purpose for America’s life, liberties, and justice. Weaving daily news with the cries for God’s mercy and grace, these prayers reveal the heart of God’s love for us and the beauty of His saving plan. You’ll be encouraged to stand strong for our freedoms, while experiencing a deep sense of peace, understanding, and hope. Join your voice in praying daily for America with these prayers, beautifully written and patterned after the Psalms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664281158

Cynthia J Stewart

Cynthia experienced a long, successful career in Corporate America. In 2011, she and her husband launched EverMore Services, a coaching and consulting practice. She is drawn to God’s Word as the greatest source of wisdom for practical application in life and business. She is a: Christ-follower, American Patriot, Marine’s Daughter, Teacher’s Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Cousin, Church Elder, Prayer-Warrior, Overcomer, Death-defeater, Life-lover, People Champion, Wise Woman, Businesswoman, Executive Coach, Trusted Advisor

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Copyright © 2022 Cynthia J Stewart.

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of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names

of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2012 by Ecclesia

Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8114-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8116-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8115-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919261

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/28/2022

DEDICATION

To My Beloved Husband Dr. Jefferson Stewart

An extraordinary American,

Follower of Christ,

Devoted Husband and Father,

Veteran, Patriot, Servant Leader,

Everyone’s Friend and Faithful Supporter

To My Precious Mother Maggie B.

An incredible woman with unstoppable resilience,

Wonderful Mother, Sister, Daughter, Wife, Friend,

Teacher & Historian Extraordinaire,

Great American Patriot,

Needle Artist par Excellence

And …To We the People

American Patriots, Believers, and Warriors,

Who defend the American Constitution,

Embrace God’s rule over our lives,

And live as law-abiding, God-fearing citizens,

Upholding and serving one another,

In the name of God.

Dedication.jpg

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

FOREWORD

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

BOOK I: INSPIRED BY PSALMS 1 – 41

THE WAY TO GOD

GOD’S GENTLE REIGN

COUNT ON HIS PROMISES

SET ALL THINGS RIGHT

WE TURN TO YOU

COME BACK FOR US

END THE AGENDAS OF HATE

THE GLORY AND HONOR OF ROYALTY

HEART OF THANKS

RENEW OUR COVENANT

INTO YOUR LOVING ARMS

LET FREEDOM RING

RELIGHT THE SPARK

AMERICA AWAITS

WILL YOU BE INVITED?

FROM YOUR CUP

OVERTHROW OUR PERSECUTORS

LOYALTY YIELDS FREEDOM

AMERICA’S ANCHOR

GIVE VICTORY TO YOUR ANOINTED

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

FULFILL YOUR PROMISED DAYS

THE LOVING SHEPHERD

UNLOCK THE GATE TO YOUR HEART

WE HOPE IN YOU

THE HOME WE LONG FOR

TRIUMPHANT CONFIDENCE

OUR SOURCE AND POWER

PIERCE THE STORM

FROM SUFFERING TO SONG

SHINE YOUR LOVING LIGHT

FULFILL OUR DESTINY

THE ONLY HOPE

LIBERATE YOUR SERVANTS

REMOVE THE ENEMY

EMBRACE AMERICA

BE PATIENT AND TRUST

BRING US FROM THE BRINK

CONSIDER YOUR DESTINY

LIGHTHOUSE OF HOPE

REMOVE EVIL’S CURSE

BOOK II: INSPIRED BY PSALMS 42-71

THIRSTING FOR YOU

CURE THE CONTAGION OF FEAR

FREEDOM’S QUEST

ODE FOR UNITY

HE HOLDS US CLOSE

EXALT OUR SOVEREIGN KING

COME TO THE LORD’S MOUNT

LIFE ABOUNDS IN THE ETERNAL ONE

THANKFULNESS, OUR SAVING GRACE

MAKE US PURE

DEEPLY ROOTED

HAVE THE LAST SAY

BY YOUR LEGENDARY POWER

ACTS OF BETRAYAL

CAST OUT THE WICKED

REIGN SUPREME, LIBERATING KING

JUSTICE PREVAILS

POWER FOR JUSTICE

THE RING OF FREEDOM

THE REIGN OF PEACE

HOME OF THE FREE

TRUSTWORTHY PROMISES

ARM US

AMERICA IS YOURS

OUR JOYOUS GLORIOUS GOD

GRACIOUS BLESSINGS

OUR DIVINE WARRIOR

LIFT US UP

GLORIOUS WAY

CENTURIES OF GOODNESS

BOOK III: INSPIRED BY PSALMS 72-89

DAWN OF HEAVEN

PLOW UNDER

DID YOU ABANDON AMERICA?

THE ONLY ONE

ON THAT DAY

THE FUTURE IS THE LORD’S

GOD ALWAYS PREVAILS

FOR YOUR NAME’S SAKE

BRING AMERICA BACK FROM THE BRINK

THE FUTURE WE LONG FOR

ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS PREVAILS

CALL YOUR PEOPLE

GOD’S ETERNAL LOVE

THE RIGHTEOUS PATH

GRANT ME YOUR FAVOR

FOUNTAINS OF JOY

END THE BATTLE NOW LORD

THE FOREVER PROMISE

BOOK IV: INSPIRED BY PSALMS 90-106

ETERNAL HOME

THE GUARDIAN

LIFE IN YOU

IN AWE OF YOU

VENGEANCE IS MINE

OUR AWESOME GOD

BLESSED HOLINESS

FEARSOME GOD OF MERCY

CLOUDS OF DESTINY

PRAISE THE EXALTED ONE

THE ONE AND ONLY

WALK IN INTEGRITY

TRUST ME, MY BELOVED

THE WAY OF AMERICA

LIFE ABUNDANT

FREE AGAIN

THE RALLYING CRY

BOOK V: INSPIRED BY PSALMS 107-150

CALL TO HIM

RECLAIM OUR FREEDOM

WITH STEADFAST LOVE

THE LONG-AWAITED PEACE

WONDERFUL IS HIS NAME

PROUD AND STRONG

LIFT YOUR HEART HIGH

FREEDOM ACTS

THE GLORY ROAD

YOU’RE FREE NOW

GLORIFY THE ETERNAL

YOUR SALVATION IS SECURE

THE WAY OF LIFE

BRING YOUR FOREVER PEACE

YOUR SHIELD AND PROTECTION

LET PEACE RULE THE DAY

GOD SEES

EVIL’S PURGE

STAND TALL IN FAITH

THE HARVEST IS CERTAIN

THE GREATEST TREASURE

HEAVEN’S PROMISE

FAVOR IN THE FIGHT

LIFE ETERNAL

THE PEACE SEEKERS

GOD’S LOVING PROMISE

ENDLESS BLESSING OF UNITY

STAND ON HIS BLESSING

ETERNAL PRAISES

INFINITE CREATION

THE EXILES

THE MASTERWORK

HOW WONDERFUL

BY YOUR SAVING GRACE

THE TIGHTROPE

THE EPIC BATTLE

FAITHFUL SERVANT

ON THAT DAY

WARM WELCOME

IN YOU ALONE WE TRUST

CREATION TO SALVATION

THE HIGHEST PRAISE

AMERICA’S FRIEND AND KING

TRIUMPHANT SONG

YOUR FAVORITE PRAYERS AND PSALMS

AUTHOR

TESTAMENT OF FAITH

FOREWORD

"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express that same delight

in God which made David dance…They are astonishingly robust, virile,

and spontaneous; something we may hope to be infected by as we read."

— REFLECTIONS ON THE PSALMS BY CS LEWIS

© copyright 1958 CS Lewis Pte Ltd.Extract reprinted with permission.

There are at least three reasons why you might be holding this book, Praying Psalms for America, Volume 2, by Cynthia J. Stewart:

First, you read her first volume of prayers and found them spiritually edifying.

Whenever I hear folks say (as Johnathan H. does in the reviews) that a book "motivated me to get into God’s Word and have a better prayer life," I’m suddenly very interested in learning more about that book.

Secondly, you take seriously the great apostle’s pleading in I Timothy 2:1ff. (Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly going about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.

Paul could not be clearer: prayer should take preeminence in our daily lives, including and specifically, prayers for nations and their governments.

Thirdly, you’re eager to find a resource that will help you grow in learning how to pray, faithfully and diligently—as the Bible encourages us to do.

I’m honored to encourage you in this quest—for I am a fellow-pilgrim who needs to engage more faithfully in daily, intentional, robust prayers on behalf of my native land. This is the gift this volume offers.

But Why the Psalms?

Very simply, as Eugene Peterson puts it: "Most Christians have learned to pray by praying the psalms." Indeed, these 150 psalms are known as the Prayerbook (and the Songbook!) of the Church.

In fact, praying the psalms predates the early Church by a long time. Jesus and his apostles, as faithful Jews, would have learned to pray in this way. When Jesus calls out on the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me! He is praying Psalm 22. In fact, there is no book of the Hebrew Scriptures that Jesus quotes more freely, or refers to more frequently, than the Psalter.

So, I’m glad to recommend this volume of Praying Psalms for America because, like the first volume, it offers a way into God’s throne room through this collection of thoughtful, intentional, robust prayers—awakened and focused by the Spirit through the Psalter.

Loving Prayer-Partner and Spiritual Mentor

I’m also delighted to endorse this book because I know it’s author, Cynthia J. Stewart. As her pastor for many years, I know Cynthia to be a woman of deep faith, faithful service, and unswerving loyalty to the Lord Jesus. I would refer anyone to her as a loving prayer-partner and spiritual mentor.

She’s a Christian sister who has known seasons of great joy and deep sorrow. When her beloved husband, Jeff, died quite unexpectedly those blessed to walk with Cynthia observed the tenacity of her faith, and her anchored hope in Christ Jesus.

In fact, perhaps the first page we should read, before embarking on this journey into the Psalter —is the last page of this book, titled: Testament of Faith —written by Cynthia when volume one of Praying Psalms for America was being published. In this brief witness, we meet a woman who testifies to the Lord’s sustaining grace and redeeming work.

Why Focus on America?

Let me respond to a question some may have who pick up this book. You might wonder why the book is not titled, Praying Psalms for the World.

Or you may ask if this prayerbook reflects an endorsement of what is sometimes called American Exceptionalism—the idea that somehow America is superior to other nations, more special, more deeply loved, more important to God’s purposes—than any other nation or state.

Let me offer a personal experience in responding to these questions. Some years ago, I was in Cairo, Egypt, and had the privilege of going to a prayer meeting on a Monday night at the largest Presbyterian Church in the middle east. When I entered the sanctuary, a large Egyptian flag stood in the middle of what I would call the Chancel. Right up front. Center stage.

That struck me as odd —but I soon learned that the focus for that evening was prayer specifically for the homeland: Egypt and all Egyptians. Each evening focused on a different part of the world. It was a beautiful experience —and never once was I led to believe that these people must think God loves Egypt more than my homeland.

So too, these books of prayers for America.

It is no longer alarmist to declare that America is at great risk today. Like ancient Israel, we have gone our own way, charted our own course, turned our backs on the Lord and Giver of every blessing. Indeed, in so many ways, the recurring theme of the book of Judges has become our own: "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes."

Cynthia knows that Americans are no more loved by the Lord than are the peoples of Moldova or North Korea. She not only knows this but serves as a prayer warrior for the peoples of this world that God so loves. Perhaps she will write a third volume: Praying Psalms for the World.

But the current volume is focused —for good and important reasons on the nation that many of us call home.

Let’s Pray the Psalms

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t pray the psalms. Most of us don’t pray for our leaders, our government or America’s many, many challenges. Most of us, don’t.

Cynthia does. And she does it by allowing the psalms to guide her prayers. As you join her, you may wish to add or revise, you may pray a bit differently than what is here. Cynthia would be glad if you did.

But if the reviews are any indication, these prayers have the power to change our routine, focus our prayers, awaken our spirits. So, let’s do what she has so beautifully done! Let’s pray the psalms —and let them guide our prayers for the concerns that we all share.

And for Christ’s sake, let’s pray. Let’s pray the psalms. Let’s pray together. Let’s sing with gratitude that the living Lord hears our prayers!

And, together with you, I thank God for raising up Cynthia Stewart and prompting her to encourage the rest of us to pray!

James D. Miller, Ph.D., Senior Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

Tulsa, Oklahoma

PREFACE

Praise the Eternal! Praise Him for His powerful acts, redeeming His people.

Praise Him for His greatness that surpasses our time and understanding.

— PSALM 150:1

Engaging a daily practice to pray for America with these prayers, the Holy Spirit will give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and deep insights into what is true and what is real. Peace will enter your soul, understanding will enter your mind, and truth will enter your heart in a new way.

With your focused prayers for America, all will be revealed as to what is truly happening to our beloved nation and where the real battle lines are drawn. You will receive God’s power and strength to stand with the sons and daughters of Abraham, and with Jesus, the Anointed One and our Liberating King, on the right side of history in preserving America’s legacy of life, liberty, and justice.

Praying Psalms for America, Volume 1 and Volume 2

This book of prayers comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit to pray the Psalms for America. Daily praying and journaling in my morning time with God is a longstanding habit. Praying day by day for America was not a daily habit, nor was praying Psalms. It is an unusual prompting.

The first prompting by the Holy Spirit to pray Psalms for America came in July 2016 when the presidential candidates were chosen. This practice provided me with peace and understanding, while sharpening my discernment for truth. The second prompting came in December 2019, leading to the second round of praying and journaling prayers for America inspired by each Psalm. My friend Rhonda Knight Boyle agreed to setup a Facebook group and to post a prayer with a picture each day, with the goal to draw a multitude of people praying for America.

These prayers are now published in Praying Psalms for America, Volume 1, a best seller, thanks to the Lord. Continual promptings and prayers led to this second Volume. These two volumes differ in three notable ways. First, each set of prayers are inspired by two versions of the Bible that are distinct in style and voice, which allows the Holy Spirit to provide new inspirations through variant turns of phrase and imagery.

Secondly, major events impacting life in America were different. Volume 1 was written from December 2019 through April 2020, marked by the presidential impeachment, the global pandemic, and the economic lockdowns worldwide, shuttering churches, businesses, schools, and life at large. Volume 2 covers May to October 2020, with extended riots, continued lockdowns, limited schooling, business bankruptcies, increasing hardships for children, declining mental health, growing death toll, and the contentious campaign period for the 2020 elections.

Thirdly, when you step into the scriptures each day and welcome the Holy Spirit to enlighten you with the truth, the Spirit reveals what you need to know and understand in that moment. With changing events in America, and the insights revealed, the resulting prayers are unique.

It seems obvious now why God prompted these prayers for America preceding the events that occurred. People of America have a deep need of prayer. We need to hear God’s voice to provide hope and healing to a world that seems to be spinning off its axis and turning all that is good from our Father’s hand into something that is bad.

Pray for America

Engage these prayers with a multitude of others to pray for America, one prayer per day. This practice will walk you into the heart of God, give you hope for today and tomorrow, and reveal how to live your life fully trusting