Lord:
Pressure can bring out the best in us. It can also bring out the worst in us. But almost always, pressure squeezes out whatever is already in us.
As we come to the close of this brutal, nasty presidential campaign, the candidates---particularly the frontrunners, Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry---will feel themselves under intense pressure. Open the hearts, souls, minds, and wills of each to You. Help them to think about things that are noble and from You.
Help them to avoid being self-serving.
Help them to take the pressure and respond not with personal attacks, but with magnanimity, equamimity, wisdom, and self-control.
Send to each sensitive, caring but firm followers of Jesus Christ who will remind them that even kings stand naked before Your throne, that no political principal is of utmost importance, and that Your presence can make even the humblest of people in the meanest of circumstances more powerful than any army. Grant that these same emissaries from You will share the comforting, energizing Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection that has a power outlasting every nation, every leader, every idea.
Finally, God, grant to each of these leaders the wisdom to open their mouths when they should and to shut them when they should.
We pray these things in Jesus' awesome Name!
AMEN!
1 comment:
Enjoyed your line "Finally, God, grant to each of these leaders the wisdom to open their mouths when they should and to shut them when they should". In much less poetic words I like to say "Don't open your mouth if your brain isn't in gear".
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