Praying for Leaders

DAILY READING

Psalm 72:1-7

FIELD NOTES

¹ Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to a king’s son.
² May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice.
³ May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness.
⁴ May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the needy,
    and crush the oppressor.

⁵ May he live while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
⁶ May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth.
⁷ In his days may righteousness flourish
    and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Read the psalm and take note of the ways the psalmist indirectly prays for the people through praying for the king (justice, prosperity, deliverance…)
• How can we, as leaders in our own families and communities, defend the poor, deliver the needy, and crush the oppressors that threaten those on the margins?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What are the qualities of a good leader?

PRAYER GUIDE

Oh God, our help in ages past and hope in years to come, help us pray faithfully for our leaders throughout our communities and the world. Remind us that leaders must be held accountable to their people. Remind us as leaders that we are not called to lookout for our own self-interest, but that of the people whom we serve. Amen.