January 18, 2023 | by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner | NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute| barbarawilliams-skinner.com
O Lord, our God, Creator of heaven and earth, and Maker of all that lives, we lift your holy and righteous name today. How comforted we are that high above the noisy, clanging sounds and spirit-numbing chaos of our time sits Almighty God in the quiet unknown beyond all human maneuvering and control. Today, Lord, we are troubled but not shaken by the rapid elevation of low-character, untruthful, and failed leaders to the highest levels of human institutions. You are still raising high-character, godly leaders, empowering the weak, and uplifting the underserved, as your word reminds us, "A good leader motivates, doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.” Proverbs 16:10 MSG
Loving God, as violence, climate-inspired natural disasters, and economic uncertainty mount, we pray for leaders who put your agenda above their own. We pray for leaders with the backbone and courage to make their highest priority justice in the courts, ending gun violence, fair policing, voter justice, racial healing, and stewardship of the environment to decrease destruction from killer tornadoes, mudslides, and damaging floods. And we pray for leaders who will unite, and not further divide, the beautiful mosaic of culturally and racially diverse Americans into warring tribes and hostile camps. Forgive us as leaders for times when we fail to be unwavering ambassadors and steadfast bridgebuilders of your love, grace, and compassion for all people, especially those outside our comfort zone. Give us the courage today, Lord God, to speak out and stand up to protect the weak and vulnerable from low-character, failed leaders who mislead and exploit. And, then, Lord, help us not to grow weary in advocating for a multi-racial democracy in which every person counts and everyone can win, for the battle is yours, not ours, and you never lose a battle. In your name, we pray. AMEN.
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