WE HAVE A STORY TO TELL
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HOW TO PRAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
“May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.”
This is a royal psalm. It is a prayer for the king. It asks God to enable the king to rule as God would intend. “Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.” By slightly altering the subject we can hear ourselves praying for our leaders. “Give the (President) your justice, O God, and your righteousness to (his administration). May (the courts) judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.” We affirm that the purpose of a good government is to release the prosperity of the land. “May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.” We recognize the proper role of government to provide security. “May (our government) defend the cause of the poor of the people, and give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.” There is an appropriate prayer for the well-being of those who govern well. “In (this administration) may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.” Of course from a Christian perspective, the image of the proper way for a government to rule is reflected in the way in which Christ ruled. This psalm can also be amended in a way that recognizes the reign of Christ in our lives. “For (Christ) redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.” On Epiphany, when we hear the story of the kings bringing their gifts and bowing before Christ, we learn to pray for a government that will recognize its responsibility to utilize its wealth and power to serve the justice and compassion we see reflected in Christ.
