April, A Prayer for Leaders.
Holy and Righteous Lord, we come before you knowing
that you are the one true King (1 Timothy 1:17). You reign supreme over Heaven and Earth
(Psalm 95:3). As your children, we
answer to You above all others (Romans 3:19).
We accept Jesus Christ as the ultimate Lord of our lives, and devote our
lives to furthering your Kingdom. When
our Judgment comes, You will be our Judge (Acts 17:31), and we submit to You
first.
Like the Children of Israel before us, God, we choose to
answer to earthly leaders (1 Samuel 8:5).
We pray together in Christian Unity for those leaders. We pray for the leaders of all nations,
Father. Like Pharaoh, they were raised
to power so that Your Glory and Power might be displayed (Exodus 9:16). We pray that they have the integrity to hold
the interests of their people above their own personal ambitions. We pray that they have the patience to hold
their actions until the wise path is clear.
We pray that they have the self-awareness to realize that they need Your
counsel with each of their decisions (Proverbs 12:15).
We also pray for the leaders of our churches. The Good Shepherd founded the church on Peter
the Rock. Christ’s church has many
parts, but is one body. Some of those
parts are called to preach, and some are called as elders and deacons. We pray that You give them wisdom (James 1:5). We pray that you give them wisdom to make
sound decisions for Your children based on Bible instruction. We ask for the Holy Spirit to lead them down
Your paths, and for them to always be listening for Your guidance (1
Corinthians 1:25).
Father, as the devil attacks us, we know that he
attacks leaders even harder. We ask for
their protection from spiritual attacks and for them to be able to find peace
and rest to keep their minds clear in order to hear Your whispers. In our world of full schedules and endless
distractions, provide quiet time to study Your Word and meditate on Your
lessons (Psalm 46:10).
Lastly Holy God, we pray your continued blessings on those
who put their trust in You (Romans 8:28).
As a country and as a church, we pray not just for the leaders, but also
for those they are leading. We pray that
we never become complacent in our thirst for knowledge of You and rely
completely on church sermons as our sole source of Bible instruction (Proverbs
1:5). Just as Achan at the battle of Ai affected Joshua and cost thirty-six men
their lives, the actions of one can be a costly detriment to the most faithful
leaders (Joshua 7). In all we do we ask
for help to remain faithful to Your Will.
A train on rail with a single destination is easier to steer than a
small boat being tossed about in an ocean of doubt (Proverbs 3:6). May we always choose the narrow path despite
the pull of the world to take the easy, wide road.
We ask this and all else in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord,
Amen
