Praying for Our Tax Dollars

God, I confess, I have never thought to pray over my tax dollars before but really feel convicted to do so now.  Your Word tells us if we owe taxes to pay them and that we pay taxes because the authorities are God's servants who give their full time to governing.  And yet, when I see reports of things our tax money has been spent on, my stomach churns.  I can't change what money is being spent right now in our government, but I can pray for the money that hasn't gone out yet.  So, Father, I pray You reign over governmental spending!  Convict, direct, affirm and rebuke those in position to determine the monetary exchanges in this country.
We have many luxuries in this country that we take advantage of thanks to many years of taxes being paid into the system.  Open our eyes to these everyday and fill us with a new appreciation for this country we live in.  I thank you for the way our tax money keeps us safe thanks to our military, local law enforcement, investigative bureaus, and first responders.  I thank you for the conveniences our tax money offers me everyday through our road systems, our air traffic controllers, and countless others.  As I roam about my days in this busy world, help me to recognize these things and appreciate them.
Remind me that ultimately 100 cents of every dollar I earn is Yours.  As I write my check to the IRS or see the total taken out of my paycheck, help me to be thankful that I have it to give.  Paying taxes means I have a job, that I get to work because you have given me the ability to.  I pray that as I am required to give more in taxes, it would not hinder or put a damper on my spirit of giving to others.
I pray that as decisions are made about our country's budget, you would guide the hearts and minds of those leaders to fund areas that contribute to the good of the people and that wasteful, unnecessary spending would become very clear and easy to cut.
Help me to not harbor bitterness and frustration when paying my taxes but help me to see ways we benefit from it.  Help us as a country to run our tax system more efficiently, to use the money in ways that really benefit people, and give our leaders  wisdom and discernment as they decide these things.
Amen.