A PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY sent by Gene McGuire (TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007)

Discerning Leaders



The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor— so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.



1 Kings 3:10-13



Almighty God,

Leading a nation is a sobering responsibility because the needs of the many exist at the mercy of the few. The siren call of power can easily seduce leaders into making disastrous decisions that disintegrate families, tear societies apart, and, in the end, set nations in opposition to You.

Lord, You are the giver of all wisdom, and from Your mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Please give us decisive leaders who have the wisdom that comes from heaven. Wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Your Word tells us, "Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety." Endow our new leaders with humility so they will acknowledge their own shortcomings and their need for wise counsel. Surround them with men and women of wisdom and discernment, and give them the foresight to rely on godly spiritual leaders as well.

On November 2, 2004, lead the American voters to candidates with discerning hearts who not only know how to distinguish right from wrong, but are committed to upholding and enforcing what is good and what is right. We ask that You would give us discerning leaders who intuitively know when they are standing at the threshold of deception and are unafraid to back away.

For this reason, Lord, we need leaders with wisdom and discernment. Leaders able to discern the real needs of the American people and wise enough to know how to bring us with them through often uncertain waters.

May the foremost concern of our incoming leaders not be political success or the wealth of this country or victory over our enemies, but may it be the governing of the American people with wisdom and discernment.

Scripture references: Proverbs 2:6, 11:14 (NLT); Romans 16:27; James 3:17



Excerpted from "We Will Pray for Election Day," by Thomas Freiling and Michael Klassen.