Pray for Nevada

As Christians, we believe that prayer is a powerful tool that enables us to intercede for our communities. The state of Nevada is among the regions that require our prayers, and as devoted followers of Christ, we bear the responsibility of lifting it up in prayer.

This post is intended to guide how to pray for Nevada, specifically focusing on its inhabitants’ economic stability, safety, and general well-being. We acknowledge that our leaders have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the state, and as such, it is important that we pray for them, irrespective of our personal opinions.

Let us come together in faith and in prayer, as we lift up Nevada and its people to our Heavenly Father. We hope that through our prayers, the people of Nevada will receive comfort, hope and transformation and that the grace and love of God will abound in their lives.

Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

This psalm highlights the importance of praying for the peace of the places we call home. As we lift up Nevada in prayer, let us ask God to bring peace and prosperity to its cities and towns.

Quick Brief

Population: Nevada is the 32nd most populous state in the United States with a population of approximately 3,080,156 people as of 2019 [1, 3]. It became the 36th state to join the union on October 31, 1864 [1]. Nevada shares its borders with five other states, namely Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, and California [1].

GDP: As of 2021, Nevada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is approximately 180.77 billion USD [1]. It is the 36th largest state economy in the United States [1]. The state’s economy relies heavily on the tourism and hospitality industry, with gambling and entertainment major contributors to its GDP [1].

Leadership

Steve Sisolak is the current governor of Nevada. He was elected in November 2018 and took office in January 2019. Before becoming governor, he served as a Clark County Commissioner from 2009 to 2019. Governor Sisolak is a businessman and philanthropist committed to improving Nevadans’ lives. He has focused on public education, healthcare, and economic growth during his tenure as governor [1].

Carolyn G. Goodman is the current mayor of Las Vegas, having been elected to her third term in 2019 with 83% of the vote [1]. She first took office in 2011, succeeding her husband, Oscar B. Goodman, who had served as mayor for 12 years and administered her oath of office, making them the only known spouse succession in U.S. mayoral history [2]. Las Vegas is Nevada’s largest city and economic center, with over twice as many people living in its metropolitan area as within the city limits, making up roughly three-fourths of the state’s population [3].

Nevada, one of the 50 states of the United States of America, has been represented in the United States Senate by 28 people since its admission to the Union on October 31, 1864. Currently, the state’s two senators are Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto (Class 3, serving since 2017) and Jacky Rosen (Class 1, serving since 2019) [2]. Both senators serve six-year terms with staggered elections [3]. The first two senators from Nevada, William Stewart and James Nye, took office on February 1, 1865, while the longest-serving senators include John P. Jones (1873-1903), Key Pittman (1913-1940), and Howard Cannon (1959-1983) [5]. 

Economy

Tourism is a major contributor to Nevada’s economy, attracting millions of visitors each year [1]. In addition to tourism, other major industries in the state include hospitality, gaming, and retail. However, the claim that the state’s job market is recovering well from the COVID-19 pandemic with a low unemployment rate of 6.0% is not entirely accurate. As of February 2022, the state’s unemployment rate was at 6.8%, which is slightly higher than the national average [8][10].

Personal care and service workers are the most common occupation in the state, making up 4.0% of total jobs, which is more than double the national average [7]. In the Reno-Sparks area, the most common job is Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, with a median annual salary of $34,540 [3]. In Las Vegas, the top 10 largest occupations are food prep workers, retail salespeople, cashiers, waiters and waitresses, office clerks, customer service representatives, laborers, janitors and cleaners, security guards, and first-line supervisors of retail sales workers [4]. Overall, job openings in the state of Nevada are mainly classified positions, which can be found in the State of Nevada’s online recruiting system, SuccessFactors [1].

Healthcare

According to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada has a diverse healthcare system that includes public and private providers offering a range of services to its residents. Still, the state has also faced challenges in meeting the healthcare needs of its rural and underserved populations [1].

While there are several hospitals in Nevada, but it is unclear if many are top-rated. According to U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking of best hospitals in the United States, only one hospital in Nevada, Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, was ranked in any of the 16 specialties evaluated, ranking #38 in gynecology [2].

Nevada is home to several medical schools, including the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Medicine, among others [1]. As for research institutions, there are several, including the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, which is a collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno and the Desert Research Institute [2].

Peace/Safety

According to the latest data from the FBI, Nevada’s overall crime rate in 2020 was higher than the national average [1]. The state had the highest larceny-theft rate and the fourth-highest property crime rate in 2020. However, it is worth noting that the state’s violent crime rate was lower than the national average, and law enforcement agencies in the state are actively working to address crime and ensure public safety.

Regarding police presence, Nevada has a higher-than-average ratio of police officers to residents, with around 1.6 officers per 1,000 residents [2]. However, the effectiveness and quality of police services can vary by location and department, and there have been instances of controversy and misconduct among law enforcement in the state.

Efforts to ensure the safety of visitors and residents in Nevada’s major cities include a variety of measures, such as increased police patrols, surveillance technology, and public awareness campaigns. However, it is important to remain vigilant and take precautions against crime when visiting or living in any location.

Biggest challenges

Nevada faces several challenges, including a high cost of living in major cities and a need for more affordable housing. According to a 2022 report, prices have increased by 15.4% since January 2021 in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, leading to concerns about inflation [2]. Additionally, the state is grappling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including economic instability and increased stress on the healthcare system [4].

Prayer Points for Nevada

James 5:16

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

• Pray for the leaders of Nevada. We are praying for their health and wellbeing; physically, mentally, and spiritually.
• We pray that the Lord guides their steps and gives them wisdom as they lead the state through difficult times.
• Pray for the residents of Nevada. May they find peace, comfort, and hope in these uncertain times.
• We pray for provision and opportunities for healthcare.
• Father, we ask that you bring economic stability and growth to the state, especially for struggling people.
• Let us pray for affordable housing and an end to homelessness.
• We pray for a mighty revival in Nevada. That the church would rise and live as Christ would.
• Lord, we pray for the leaders of Nevada, that You would grant them physical, mental, and spiritual health, guide their steps and give them wisdom as they lead the state through difficult times. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
• Father, we pray for the residents of Nevada, that they would find peace, comfort, and hope in these uncertain times. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• We ask for provision and opportunities for healthcare in Nevada, that people would have access to the care they need. (Isaiah 58:10)
• Lord, we ask for economic stability and growth in Nevada, especially for struggling people. (Psalm 68:6)
• We pray for affordable housing in Nevada and an end to homelessness, that all people would have a safe and secure place to call home. (Isaiah 58:7)
• Lord, we ask for a mighty revival in Nevada, that the church would rise up and live as Christ would, sharing the hope of the gospel with those around them. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
• We pray for unity and peace in Nevada, that people from all walks of life would unite to build a better future for the state. (Ephesians 4:3)
• Father, we ask for protection and safety for the people of Nevada, that they would be shielded from harm and danger. (Psalm 91:1-2)
• We pray for justice and righteousness to reign in Nevada, that all people would be treated fairly and respectfully. (Proverbs 21:3)
• Lord, Nevada would experience a time of spiritual awakening, as people turn to You and find forgiveness, hope, and new life. (Acts 3:19).