Praying for Wisdom
by Kathryn Hendrix
Wednesday, February 24 – Psalms 72 v 119:73–96; Gen. 42:18–28; 1 Cor. 5:9–6:8; Mark 4:1–20
(BCP Readings for today)
Perhaps due to Lenten meditations coinciding with Presidential Preference Primaries this year, in reading the Scripture portions assigned for today, this theme emerged: our critical need for revelation—for God- given wisdom–in order for us to fulfill our God-given responsibilities.
We have ears to hear and understand because the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to us. May we hear and accept the word and be productive. (Mark 4:9, 11, 20)
As God gave Joseph wisdom to test his brothers to see if they were honest men (Gen 42), we need God-given wisdom to judge brothers in the church; and as saints, to judge the world and to judge angels (1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8). We might be especially aware of this need for God-given wisdom as we judge candidates for the presidency of our country.
Therefore we pray:
Give us understanding to learn your commands (Psalm 119:73). Your judgments are right and righteous (119:75 AMP). Let our hearts be sound—sincere and wholehearted and blameless—in your statutes (119:80 AMP).Our hope is in your word (119:81). Your word, O Lord is eternal, your commands are boundless (119:89, 96).
Endow with your justice, O God … to judge your people in righteousness (from Psalm 72:1&2).
Give us knowledge of your way of judging, O God…let us judge and govern your people with righteousness and your poor and afflicted with judgment and justice (from Psalm 72:1&2 AMP).
We cry out for that wisdom from above (peace-loving, courteous, considerate, gentle, willing to yield to reason, straightforward, impartial and unfeigned – according to James 3:17 AMP).
Praise be to your glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with your glory. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72:19)
Image by Brent Moore (used by permission via Creative Commons).
