Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Prayer for National Leaders
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
O Lord, have mercy on us,
each and every one of us
for trusting in our own strong hand
instead of in your hands.
O Lord, you who know all hearts,
soften our hearts,
awaken us to where we have failed,
awaken us to whom it is who gives us our strength,
and teach us to walk in your ways.
Today, O Lord, I send up my prayers
particularly for those who lead our nation.
Be with each and every one of our lawmakers,
those who have to sift through all the voices calling upon them to do this or do that.
Lord, you know what is right.
It is you who determined that there would be leaders to guide and protect the nations,
insuring the safety and justice of the people you entrust to them.
Today, O Lord,
send the light that will pierce through the darkness,
open the hearts of our leaders to their responsibilities
to care for the nation,
strengthen the ones who walk in your light,
soften the hearts of those who need to answer your call,
and teach them the ways of justice, truth, faithfulness.
Remind them that their responsibility to their duties is a holy obligation,
and show them the way they should walk to insure peace, prosperity, and justice,
safety at home,
and how to make our land an example of uprightness to the world.
O Father God, I ask this in your son Jesus our Lord's most holy name,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2006
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
O Lord, have mercy on us,
each and every one of us
for trusting in our own strong hand
instead of in your hands.
O Lord, you who know all hearts,
soften our hearts,
awaken us to where we have failed,
awaken us to whom it is who gives us our strength,
and teach us to walk in your ways.
Today, O Lord, I send up my prayers
particularly for those who lead our nation.
Be with each and every one of our lawmakers,
those who have to sift through all the voices calling upon them to do this or do that.
Lord, you know what is right.
It is you who determined that there would be leaders to guide and protect the nations,
insuring the safety and justice of the people you entrust to them.
Today, O Lord,
send the light that will pierce through the darkness,
open the hearts of our leaders to their responsibilities
to care for the nation,
strengthen the ones who walk in your light,
soften the hearts of those who need to answer your call,
and teach them the ways of justice, truth, faithfulness.
Remind them that their responsibility to their duties is a holy obligation,
and show them the way they should walk to insure peace, prosperity, and justice,
safety at home,
and how to make our land an example of uprightness to the world.
O Father God, I ask this in your son Jesus our Lord's most holy name,
Amen.
Susan E. Stone, 2006
Labels: National Leaders
