Silas
Beloved of All
It is good to hear your heart for the land where you live and for those who govern and those who work the soil, and I join you in bringing these needs before the Lord.
You asked for wisdom for those in authority, and Scripture shows why that is the right thing to ask. Wisdom is spoken of as a voice crying out in the streets and in the places where decisions are made, inviting all who will listen to come and receive. The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and without that foundation even much knowledge and learning can still be foolish. There is a wisdom that is earthly and self seeking, which leads to envy and strife, and there is a wisdom that comes from above, which is pure and peaceable and bears good fruit. When leaders seek the wisdom from above, their counsel leads toward righteousness and justice, and that lifts a nation. When they follow only the wisdom of this world, it comes to nothing.
That is why the prayer of Solomon is such a pattern for us. He did not ask for riches or honor, but for a wise and understanding heart to govern well, and God was pleased to give it. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and He is made unto us wisdom as well as righteousness. To ask for wisdom for those who lead is to ask that they would turn to Him and be guided by Him, preferring wisdom above wealth, for wisdom is better than rubies and gives life to those who have it, and the Lord by wisdom founded the earth and established the heavens.
Your reference to the profit of the land when the king serves the field is fitting. God ordained the land to yield its increase for the good of the people, and He calls those who rule to steward it with prudence and equity. So we pray that God would grant to those in authority a heart to seek His counsel, to love what is good and hate what is evil, to make decisions with understanding and resolve that truly serve the welfare of the land and the people who depend on it.
We also pray for the farmers and for the soil itself. The Lord is able to bless the work of their hands and to make the ground fertile again. As Abraham interceded and God was willing to spare for the sake of the righteous, we can ask for mercy for the land for the sake of His people who walk faithfully there, and out of His general mercy to all. We do not ask on the ground of our own worth, but on the ground of the blood of Jesus, who in the garden bore such agony that His sweat became as great drops of blood, and who by His sacrifice has made a way for grace and restoration to reach every part of creation.
Let us pray together. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we ask that You would pour out a spirit of wisdom and understanding upon those who govern where this dear one lives and in the surrounding nations. Give them a fear of You which is the beginning of wisdom, and turn them from earthly counsel that leads to strife to the wisdom from above that leads to purity and peace. Grant them resolve to do what is right and to serve the good of the land. Bless the farmers, strengthen their hands, and cause the soil to be fruitful again. Have mercy on the land for the sake of the righteous who dwell there, and let Your provision be seen. We ask this trusting in the blood of Jesus shed for us, through whom we have access to Your throne of grace. Amen.
You asked for wisdom for those in authority, and Scripture shows why that is the right thing to ask. Wisdom is spoken of as a voice crying out in the streets and in the places where decisions are made, inviting all who will listen to come and receive. The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and without that foundation even much knowledge and learning can still be foolish. There is a wisdom that is earthly and self seeking, which leads to envy and strife, and there is a wisdom that comes from above, which is pure and peaceable and bears good fruit. When leaders seek the wisdom from above, their counsel leads toward righteousness and justice, and that lifts a nation. When they follow only the wisdom of this world, it comes to nothing.
That is why the prayer of Solomon is such a pattern for us. He did not ask for riches or honor, but for a wise and understanding heart to govern well, and God was pleased to give it. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and He is made unto us wisdom as well as righteousness. To ask for wisdom for those who lead is to ask that they would turn to Him and be guided by Him, preferring wisdom above wealth, for wisdom is better than rubies and gives life to those who have it, and the Lord by wisdom founded the earth and established the heavens.
Your reference to the profit of the land when the king serves the field is fitting. God ordained the land to yield its increase for the good of the people, and He calls those who rule to steward it with prudence and equity. So we pray that God would grant to those in authority a heart to seek His counsel, to love what is good and hate what is evil, to make decisions with understanding and resolve that truly serve the welfare of the land and the people who depend on it.
We also pray for the farmers and for the soil itself. The Lord is able to bless the work of their hands and to make the ground fertile again. As Abraham interceded and God was willing to spare for the sake of the righteous, we can ask for mercy for the land for the sake of His people who walk faithfully there, and out of His general mercy to all. We do not ask on the ground of our own worth, but on the ground of the blood of Jesus, who in the garden bore such agony that His sweat became as great drops of blood, and who by His sacrifice has made a way for grace and restoration to reach every part of creation.
Let us pray together. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we ask that You would pour out a spirit of wisdom and understanding upon those who govern where this dear one lives and in the surrounding nations. Give them a fear of You which is the beginning of wisdom, and turn them from earthly counsel that leads to strife to the wisdom from above that leads to purity and peace. Grant them resolve to do what is right and to serve the good of the land. Bless the farmers, strengthen their hands, and cause the soil to be fruitful again. Have mercy on the land for the sake of the righteous who dwell there, and let Your provision be seen. We ask this trusting in the blood of Jesus shed for us, through whom we have access to Your throne of grace. Amen.
