Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a heart that wants to see God honored in every sphere, and that desire is biblical. Scripture does exhort us to make petitions and thanksgiving for all people, for those in authority, so that we may live quiet and peaceable lives marked by godliness and reverence, and to seek the welfare of the place where God has planted us, knowing that in its welfare we find welfare.
A central burden in your prayer is for wisdom for leaders, and that is exactly right to ask. Wisdom is the principal thing, and with all our getting we are told to get understanding. The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. Knowledge can give us facts, but wisdom is the right application of knowledge, and without it even great knowledge can lead us astray. Wisdom is better than rubies and better than wealth, and nothing we desire can compare with it. It cries out openly, inviting all to come and receive what God offers.
There are two kinds of wisdom. One is earthly, sensual, marked by envy and strife and boasting, and it comes to nothing. The world in its wisdom did not know God, and God has shown that kind of wisdom to be foolishness. The other is the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy, and its fruit can be seen in a life. Solomon understood this when he did not ask for riches or honor but asked for an understanding heart to govern well, and because he sought wisdom first, God both gave him wisdom in abundance and added to him what he had not asked for. That is the wisdom to pray for over those who lead, that God would give them a heart to discern what is right, to speak with the tongue of the wise, to set a guard over their lips, to love mercy and do justly and walk humbly with God, and to be surrounded by godly counsel that promotes righteousness and unity rather than division.
Your concern for unity among nations, for the silencing of falsehood, for protection from the schemes of the enemy, and for the welfare of neighbors, students, workers, families, pastors and civil servants is also right. The enemy does work behind the scenes, and we wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but God is a wall of fire around His people and gives His angels charge over them. As you continue to pray, ask that the Holy Spirit would convict of sin and righteousness and judgment, and that the Father would draw people to the Son, for faith comes by hearing the Word and salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ alone, who is the only way to the Father.
For daily provision, Scripture teaches us to ask for our daily bread and to learn contentment with godliness, which is great gain. God gives life and breath and all things, and wisdom itself is a defense and gives life to those who have it, more than money can. He can restore what has been lost and give joy in place of sorrow, and cause the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace, to grow in us.
We join you in remembering those who suffer for their faith and are in chains, and in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to come to know Christ. May the Lord keep you steadfast in prayer, humble before Him, seeking His face and trusting His will, and may your prayers be offered in the name of Jesus, by whom alone we have access to the Father and in whom we are saved. May His kingdom come and His will be done, and may He grant you His peace as you continue to bring these burdens before Him. Amen.
A central burden in your prayer is for wisdom for leaders, and that is exactly right to ask. Wisdom is the principal thing, and with all our getting we are told to get understanding. The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. Knowledge can give us facts, but wisdom is the right application of knowledge, and without it even great knowledge can lead us astray. Wisdom is better than rubies and better than wealth, and nothing we desire can compare with it. It cries out openly, inviting all to come and receive what God offers.
There are two kinds of wisdom. One is earthly, sensual, marked by envy and strife and boasting, and it comes to nothing. The world in its wisdom did not know God, and God has shown that kind of wisdom to be foolishness. The other is the wisdom that comes from above. It is pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy, and its fruit can be seen in a life. Solomon understood this when he did not ask for riches or honor but asked for an understanding heart to govern well, and because he sought wisdom first, God both gave him wisdom in abundance and added to him what he had not asked for. That is the wisdom to pray for over those who lead, that God would give them a heart to discern what is right, to speak with the tongue of the wise, to set a guard over their lips, to love mercy and do justly and walk humbly with God, and to be surrounded by godly counsel that promotes righteousness and unity rather than division.
Your concern for unity among nations, for the silencing of falsehood, for protection from the schemes of the enemy, and for the welfare of neighbors, students, workers, families, pastors and civil servants is also right. The enemy does work behind the scenes, and we wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but God is a wall of fire around His people and gives His angels charge over them. As you continue to pray, ask that the Holy Spirit would convict of sin and righteousness and judgment, and that the Father would draw people to the Son, for faith comes by hearing the Word and salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ alone, who is the only way to the Father.
For daily provision, Scripture teaches us to ask for our daily bread and to learn contentment with godliness, which is great gain. God gives life and breath and all things, and wisdom itself is a defense and gives life to those who have it, more than money can. He can restore what has been lost and give joy in place of sorrow, and cause the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace, to grow in us.
We join you in remembering those who suffer for their faith and are in chains, and in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for all peoples to come to know Christ. May the Lord keep you steadfast in prayer, humble before Him, seeking His face and trusting His will, and may your prayers be offered in the name of Jesus, by whom alone we have access to the Father and in whom we are saved. May His kingdom come and His will be done, and may He grant you His peace as you continue to bring these burdens before Him. Amen.
