A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND LEADERS

A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND LEADERS

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV)

Election seasons often bring strong opinions, uncertainty, and deep concerns about the future. In times of uncertainty and disagreement, we have an opportunity to demonstrate grace, humility, and respect, reflecting the character of Jesus in our words and actions. As followers of Christ, we are called not only to vote faithfully but also to pray faithfully. Our ultimate hope is not found in a political party, candidate, or government, but in the sovereign God who rules over all nations and all generations.

Let us seek God's wisdom for those who lead, His peace for our communities, and His grace for one another. Regardless of the outcome, we can trust that the Lord remains on His throne and continues to work His purposes for the good of His people.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we lift our nation before You. Grant wisdom, integrity, and humility to those who serve in positions of authority. Guide the hearts of voters and leaders alike according to Your truth and righteousness. Help us to be people of prayer, peace, and grace, reflecting the love of Christ even when we disagree. Guard our hearts from fear, anger, and division. Teach us to listen well, speak kindly, and treat one another with dignity and respect. Remind us that our ultimate citizenship is in Your kingdom and that our hope rests securely in You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6492

IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace.”  (Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV)

When it comes to spiritual knowledge, it's not what you know but Who you know.  I experienced the value of knowledge that is up close and personal during the 1996 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees.  The cleanup pitcher for the Yankees, John Wetteland, is a close friend and gave my son and me tickets to attend a game in Atlanta.  Because we knew John, his name was the key to untold opportunity wherever we went.  It unlocked a hotel room in a city that was overbooked.  It gained us entrance to the Yankee locker room.  It even provided seats on the team bus right next to Reggie Jackson!  My son, Nathan, and I kept pinching ourselves to make sure the whole experience wasn't a dream.  But it was -- a dream come true.

What personally knowing John Wetteland did for us in Atlanta, intimately knowing Christ does for a Christian in this life -- it opens the entrance to eternity; it reserves a seat in Heaven; and it unlocks the treasure house of God's wisdom. 

-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians” 

#6488

THE WISDOM OF GOD

"And because of [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption."  (1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV)

When you're facing all the issues of life and you don't know what to do, accept the fact that you are human. We all are. We don't have the capacity to understand Almighty God. But you know what? We know Jesus Christ. He's the wisdom of God. And He put His Holy Spirit in us. So having access to the Holy Spirit and Jesus, we can face the challenges of today with the wisdom of God. 

-- David Jeremiah

#6247

THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place… But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14-15, 19-20 NKJV)

On this National Day of Prayer (in the U.S.A.), the words of 2 Chronicles 7 once again resonate as a powerful invitation and promise. God calls His people to approach Him with humility, repentance, and sincere prayer. The condition is clear: when we seek His face and turn from the ways that distance us from Him, He responds with grace, forgiveness, and healing -- not only for our individual hearts but for the land we inhabit together.

Almighty God, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. Grant our leaders the humility to serve with integrity and the strength to uphold justice and compassion. May they remember that true power lies not in dominance, but in service to others. Help them to resist the temptations of pride and greed, and to always act in the best interest of all the people they serve. Guide their hearts and minds to make decisions that promote peace, equality, and the common good. Let them be ever mindful of the responsibility they bear and the trust placed in them by the people.

Lord, this day reminds us of the immense privilege and power we have in prayer. We pray not just for our own needs but for the healing and restoration of our nation, for unity amidst division, for the weak and vulnerable to be protected, and for righteousness to shine in the places where darkness prevails. Your promise to hear us is unchanging, and Your faithfulness invites us to trust You more deeply.

Sovereign God, we ask for Your protection and blessings upon our nation, and for the courage to stand against any abuse of power. May our leaders be a reflection of Your love and grace, leading with humility and a steadfast commitment to justice and mercy.

In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

#6106

THE POWER OF GOD

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV)

When living in our own strength and “lofty speech,” as Paul puts it, it points people back to us. When we are owning our weakness and therefore dependence on Christ, God's power inherently points people back to Him. When Peter and John healed a lame man, and people stared in amazement, the apostles quickly redirected the credit to God. Peter asked, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12)

When human power is displayed, it might impress people. But the gospel's call goes much deeper than mere admiration; it requires humility, amazement, and awe at a power from a divine source. Only God's power, revealed in us, can accomplish this. It liberates us from our weaknesses, equips us to do His will, strengthens us to become like Christ, and provides a powerful witness to those around us. 

“’Not by [your] might nor by [your] power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”  (Zechariah 4:6b)  

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#6034

FACING THE STORMS OF LIFE

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Life often brings unexpected storms -- challenges that test our faith and resilience. In these moments, it can be tempting to seek refuge in our own understanding, trying to navigate the tempest with our limited perspective. However, Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of a profound truth: our ultimate refuge and strength come from trusting in the Lord.

Religious faith is not merely a shelter from life’s storms; it is the inner strength that empowers us to face them with hope and serenity. When we trust in the Lord with all our heart, we acknowledge that His wisdom far surpasses our own. This trust is not passive but active, requiring us to lean into His guidance and surrender our need for control.

By acknowledging God in all our ways, we invite Him to direct our paths. This means seeking His will in every decision, big or small, and believing that He will lead us through the storm. It is in this surrender that we find peace, knowing that we are not alone and that God’s plans for us are good.

As we face the storms of life, let us remember that our faith is not a mere escape but a source of strength. Trusting in the Lord transforms our perspective, allowing us to see beyond the immediate turmoil to the greater purpose He has for us. With our hearts anchored in His promises, we can weather any storm, confident that He will guide us safely to calmer waters.

– SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#5963

PAIN – THE GREAT TEACHER

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 NIV)

Luci Shaw, my dear friend, mentor, and favorite poet, was widowed in midlife. When her husband Harold was diagnosed with cancer, Luci made a thoughtful vow to God. She said, “Lord, I promise never to give up on You, never to desert the faith.” Luci said that that promise, “like a marriage vow that sometimes staples a faltering relationship,” held her during the seven years of Harold’s illness, and finally, in his death (from “God in the Dark”). I think Luci exemplifies how a woman of wisdom responds to suffering. Her pain, which she did not deny, was immense. She told me that being a widow was “radical surgery – like being cut in half.” But she also resolved to trust God and to learn from her suffering. In an article in "Christian Living” (June, 1986), Luci said, “I’m learning to welcome pain, and not to dodge it. It’s one of the most valuable lessons. Pain has a refining work to do in us, if we welcome it. It teaches us what is temporal, what is superficial, and what is abiding and deep. I’m trying to let pain do its work in me.” 

-- Dee Brestin in “A Woman of Insight”

#5923

SEEKING GOD’S WISDOM

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!"  (Isaiah 5:20,21 NKJV)

We are caught in a dilemma between good and evil, right and wrong. God's Word seeks to inform us about what is right and what is wrong. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Fortunately, we are not simply left with that information. The Holy Spirit then seeks to transform us from wrong to right. (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)  However, the way the world deals with the dilemma is to inform us that wrong is right. 

As believers, we must discern between right and wrong, good and evil. Sometimes, societal norms or personal preferences can lead us astray. Let us seek God’s wisdom and align our hearts with His truth. (Ephesians 4:22-24) 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5853

DEVELOPING A NEW PERSPECTIVE - Part 2 of 2

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”  (Proverbs 19:11 NIV) 

Notice the word wisdom. What is wisdom? Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view, getting God’s perspective on a situation. From that perspective I gain three important insights. 1) I am only human; I am not God. Of course, God knows that, but He wants me to acknowledge it also. I am not perfect, and I am not in control. In fact, most of the things I face in life I cannot control. 2) No one else is perfect either, so I should not be surprised or overly upset when people make mistakes or let me down. 3) God is in control, and He can use the situations, the irritations, and the problems that come into my life to accomplish His purposes for me.

-- Rick Warren in “God’s Power to Change Your Life”

#5839

GOD’S WAYS LEAD TO LIFE

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

God wants us to know more than His character; He also wants us to learn His ways. You see, God’s ways are not our ways. We cannot know how God acts unless He teaches us. God is infinitely wise. He sees the future. He understands our world and everything that takes place in it. God knows the eternal consequences of every action, of every act of obedience or disobedience to His Word. God’s ways lead to life. His ways bring joy. They are holy and perfect. Doing things God’s way is always best. 

-- Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby and Claude King in “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God”

#5077

LISTENING TO THE SHEPHERD

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and My sheep follow Me.”  (John 10:27)

I believe God talks to us. Have I heard God speak to me in an audible voice? No.

Sometimes He speaks to me through Scripture. Sometimes He speaks to me through the words of a song, through reading or a sermon, through a quote of advice or admonition, through the honesty of a child, from a billboard or a bumper sticker, through a conversation with a family member or friend.

He always tells me things that are in line with His Holy Word. He does not always give me all the details. His information is always correct. When I follow His directions I will make no mistakes. He brings to pass everything He says.

I am amazed and humbled to realize that an awesome, omnipotent, sovereign God would want to communicate with me. But that’s one of the reasons He created us: He wants us to have fellowship with Him. People have tried to explain how to hear the voice of God. In my opinion, nobody has been able to describe it fully. I believe God’s sheep know the Shepherd’s voice by faith. 

-- Thelma Wells, quoted in “In This Quiet Place: Discovering the Pleasures of Prayer”

#4963

THE CORE TO WISDOM

If you want wisdom, don’t try to obtain it all by yourself. Get wise counsel. Get around people whose character you trust, who have good judgement, who love you, and who care about your well-being. Tell them, “I have this decision to make. Speak into my life.” Very often God speaks wisdom into us through somebody else.

Solomon, the icon of wisdom in the Old Testament, wrote Proverbs 12:15: “The way of fools seems right to them.” Why? Because they’re fools. That’s part of what it means to be a fool, and there is a fool in all of us. There is a fool in me. There is a fool in you.

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” A coachable spirit is core to wisdom. We all need this. 

-- Adapted from John Ortberg in “All the Places to Go… How Will You Know?”

#4876

LISTEN FIRST

“Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to My knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.”  (Proverbs 22:17-19 ESV)

Attentiveness to God's Word and will is the ground from which all fruitful service in God's name grows. The resoundingly clear priority of the spiritual life is to listen first; then to obey what we hear.

-- Rev. Marjorie Thompson in “Leading from the Center Newsletter” 

#4849

TRUSTING GOD AT ALL TIMES

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”  (Psalm 42:11 NIV)

For many years in my own pilgrimage of seeking to come to a place of trusting God at all times, I was a prisoner to my feelings. I mistakenly thought I could not trust God unless I felt like trusting Him (which I almost never did in times of adversity). Now I am learning that trusting God is first of all a matter of the will and is not dependent on my feelings. I choose to trust God, and my feelings eventually will follow…

Having been exposed to the knowledge of the truth that God is sovereign, wise, and loving, we must then choose whether to believe the truth about God, which He has revealed to us, or whether to following our feelings. If we are to trust God, we must choose to believe His truth. We must say, “I will trust You though I do not feel like doing so.”

-- Jerry Bridges in “Trusting God”


#4779

WISDOM AND GOOD JUDGMENT

“Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.”  (Proverbs 8:12 TLB)

Have you ever heard the expression, “He [or she] doesn’t have the sense God gave a goose?” It’s talking about someone who doesn’t use any common sense. God expects us to call on Him in times of need, but He also expects us to use wisdom to avoid trouble. If your boat is about to run into the rocks, call on God, but row away from the rocks. It’s the wise thing to do. 

-- Adapted from “God’s Little Book of Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom for Daily Living”


#4405

PRAYER FOR PEOPLE I DISLIKE

Loving God, Mysterious Wind-like Spirit,
blow strongly if You will
and surround with joy all those people whom I dislike.
Be gracious to those whose giftedness I envy.
Bless with wealth and success
those already annoyingly more successful than myself.
They deserve my encouragement, never my scorn.
I pray especially for all those
who do not particularly reverence me,
or may, in fact, dislike me and shun my company.
Give me eyes to see beauty and winsomeness
where I have not seen it before,
and give us all the self confidence to believe
that we would have no enemies at all
if we were known as You, Holy Wisdom, know us.
Amen.

-- William Cleary, as quoted in “When in Doubt, Sing” by Jane Redmont


#4375

THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:22-24 RSV)

The message I preach hasn't changed. Circumstances have changed. Problems have changed, but deep inside, [humanbeings have] not changed, and the gospel hasn't changed.

-- Billy Graham

#4283

BECOMING EXCELLENT CHOOSERS

Choosing comes from the core of who we are. When we truly choose, we have no one to blame and nowhere to hide.  Choosing thrills us. Choosing scares us. Choosing is central to personhood…

God wants us to choose well. That may be why, when we look at the Bible, there is no chapter devoted to “How to know God’s will for your life.” Often when we are faced with a real-life choice, the Bible seems no more helpful than Yogi Berra’s old dictum: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Paul doesn’t write about “six steps to determine if he’s the one” or “five ways to discern God’s job for you.”

What we do see are statements like this: “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5, NRSV)

Or “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best.” (Philippians 1:9-10)

God wants us to be excellent choosers…

If I’m facing a choice and I want to find God’s will for my life, I don’t begin by asking which choice is God’s will for my life. I need to begin by asking for wisdom.

-- John Ortberg in “All the Places to Go: How Will You Know?”

#4096

LIKE BRIGHT BEACONS

We are frequently advised to read the Bible with our own personal needs in mind, and to look for answers to our own private questions.  That is good, as far as it goes...  But better still is the advice to study the Bible objectively, ... without regard, first of all, to our own subjective needs.  Let the great passages fix themselves in our memory.  Let them stay there permanently, like bright beacons, launching their powerful shafts of light upon life's problems -- our own and everyone's -- as they illumine, now one, now another dark area of human life.  Following such a method, we discover that the Bible does "speak to our condition" and meet our needs, not just occasionally or when some emergency arises, but continually.

-- Frederick C. Grant


#4090

BIBLICAL WISDOM

Many people think that what's written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven -- getting right with God, saving their eternal souls.  It does have to do with that, of course, but not mostly.  It is equally concerned with living on this earth -- living well, living in robust sanity.  In our Scriptures, heaven is not the primary concern, to which earth is a tag-along afterthought.  "On earth as it is in heaven" is Jesus' prayer.

"Wisdom" is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living.  Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.  It has virtually nothing to do with information as such, with knowledge as such.  A college degree is no certification of wisdom -- nor is it primarily concerned with keeping us out of moral mud puddles, although it does have a profound moral effect upon us.

Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace.  Threaded through all these items is the insistence that the way we think of and respond to God is the most practical thing we do.  In matters of everyday practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes precedence over God.

-- Eugene Peterson in “The Message”


#4089