“Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly. May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful. Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors. May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever!” Psalms 72:1-5 NLT
Solomon writes this Psalm as he is given the reigns of ruling Israel from his father David. And as a man of wisdom, he requests everything necessary to lead a nation.
This prayer/Psalm should be the guiding words for any leader, at every level of authority over their charge. Help the leader, ruler, king, mayor, governor or president or pastor judge well! Let the poor be treated fairly. Let there be prosperity for all. Help them to defend the poor, rescue the orphan and needy children.
People WANT this kind of ruler, NEED this kind of ruler. Someone who leads in such a way that lightens the load of their care. Where folks echo back, YES – “May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth. May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.”
Our leaders, at every level, should commit this simple prayer to memory and understand, they are not in office or role for self advancement, fame or fortune.
I completely believe that all leaders, sacred and secular should have this Psalm placarded to their heart. Our governance, even as Pastors and Church leaders may not have the autonomous authority like a king, but we should lead with this kind of heart. I love Solomon’s conclusive line, “May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky.” Amen.
Prayer
Dad,
Oh that we could have leaders and rulers in every sector of our country not only pray this prayer, but live it out as well. Wouldn’t this solve a lot of our struggles and issues of trust and confidence. I know that many of our “rulers” are not godly, but every single one of them from Washington DC to our local city councils are in positions of power because you put them there or at least allowed them to rule. When the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy to pray for all those who have authority over us, this is what I pray for them! Lord, hear our prayer.