Praying for Oregon Counties: Clackamas

Image by 272447 from Pixabay 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. I Timothy 2: 1-2

What is on your prayer list for Oregon? We are instructed in I Timothy to pray for our leaders. Many are praying for the 2020 election, our economy, and an end to the covid-19 virus - all vital concerns.  

One way to organize a prayer list is to pray over the state county by county.

If I do the easy thing and just start where I am, I begin with Clackamas county. Actually, this might be a good choice since Clackamas is one of the original four counties established by the Provisional Legislature on July 5, 1843. We are going deep here and touching the foundation of Oregon as a territory and state. At that time Clackamas county was huge and covered parts of what are now four states and a province of Canada. By 1854 Oregon Territory, the United States and Canada had worked out their boundary issues and Clackamas became the size it is today, 1879 square miles with Multnomah to the north along the Columbia River, Wasco to the east, Marion to the south and Yamhill and Washington counties to the west. 

Oregon City is the county seat and was platted by Dr. John McLoughlin himself on part of his own land claim. It was incorporated in 1844, the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains. For nearly a decade it was the political and social hub of the Territory, until Oregon became a state in 1852 and moved the capital to Salem. The first wagon trains made Oregon City their destination beginning with the first one in 1842. There is a lot of history in Oregon City, and knowing history can be an important part of praying for an area. For more on the founding of Clackamas see here.

Personal note: Oregon City is also where I was born, as was my father. The hospital where I entered the scene is now a retirement center. The house where Dad was born in 1914 is now a used car lot (I’ve been told.) 

As a long-term resident who lives in the southern part of the county, very near the border with Marion, I know the county has a southern and northern divide with the north including part of Portland and more urban areas. Our southern portion ranges from Willamette Valley farmland to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and includes some timberland and very rural areas. Pray for wisdom for those who make decisions for such a diverse area. The 2020 elections include candidates for county commissioners as well as some mayors of Clackamas county towns. They need wisdom and insight. Pray for unity between urban and rural folks. 

Image by Godsgirl_madi from Pixabay 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

One other point: Is knowing our history part of standing in the gap for Oregon, for praying effectively? It might well be. We looked at how Daniel prayed for his people a few weeks ago, repenting for sins he himself did not commit. When we look at Daniel’s full prayer in Daniel 9, he confesses that God is justly angry: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Daniel 9:16.

Repenting for “our people,” as Daniel did, may require looking into the “iniquities of our fathers.” 

What do we have hidden in the history of Clackamas county, I wonder?

Margaret