Wednesday - praying for leaders

Strengthen me in Your might O LORD.   Confirm in me Your faith.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

            Read 1 Timothy 2: 1-7     I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. (NIV  Zondervan,  1983). 

This begins the section on Instructions for Worship.  Prayer is central in Christian worship.   Paul urges Timothy to remember in his prayers those who are in authority and who govern the land.   Even today  we must pray for those who lead our Churches,  our Community,  our Province,  our Country, and on to all those countries in the world that need our help.  

In Canada we frequently criticize our governments.   Yet,  instead of criticizing them  we must hold them in our prayers.

 

Frederick Macnutt in his book "The Prayer Manual"  has a marvelous prayer for us to pray to uphold our leaders in God's care.    Prayer #671  "Almighty God,  who along gives wisdom and understanding; inspire, we pray, the hearts of all to whom You have committed to the government of the nations.  Give them the vision of truth and justice, and guide them so to temper justice with mercy that by their counsels the nations may work together in fellowship, and Your Holy Church throughout the world may be free to serve You in unity and peace;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."