Prayer for those in Authority

Psalm 72 • Psalm 111, 113
2 Samuel 7:1-17 • Titus 2:11-3:8a • Luke 1:39-48a(48b-56)

In the readings for today, it was Psalm 72 that captured my attention and wouldn’t be ignored.

Give the king your justice, O God…
May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy and crush the oppressor…
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound…
For he delivers the needy when they call…
He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy from oppression and violence…

Psalms 111 and 113 continue in the same vein with praise for a God whose “righteousness endures forever” and who “raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.”

I was taught a long time ago that we must be the hands (heart, mind, et al) of God in the world. If so we must do what we can to fulfill those words in these psalms. And, as Psalm 72 begins, we need to pray for those in authority: Pray for those who have the power and responsibility of justice, judgement, and deliverance.

It has not been easy for me to pray for some in authority the past four years and often it has been “Thy will be done,” but now we are in a time of transition. We are dealing with changes, danger from COVID, and deep divisions in our country. We need those in authority to have the strength, wisdom, and courage to lead us, protect us, and heal us. How do I pray now?

So, I turned to the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. On pages 820 – 823 I found the prayers I need: For our Country, For the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority, For Sound Government, and For Social Justice. This edition of the BCP was adopted in 1979. It came out of the very divisive and unsettled times of the 1960’s and 1970’s. These prayers are appropriate and powerful for me now!

Written by Jacqui Brandli

Being hopeful and praying for our future.