VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I wish You and Your families well. That You have a brilliant week ahead and find time to seek out some space conducive to peace and reflection.

This week I would like to pray for our leaders. That they become circumspect and do what is best for us. That they look beyond short term gain and see well into the future, so that our best interests are maintained. That they do the right thing.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Eyes will be on the Conservative Conference in Birmingham. They will be on Theresa May, who has one of the hardest tasks of all – perhaps of all postwar Prime Ministers – in delivering Brexit. I cannot imagine that kind of pressure.

I think of the tsunami that has just hit Indonesia. How would one go about clearing that up and rebuilding families?

I also think of the Kavanaugh hearings in the United States which have so split America. How can the appointment of this judge above judges be made with wisdom and empathy to please both sides?

It is easy to snipe at our leaders. Sometimes it is worth noting that occasionally they are handed hospital passes and we should give them more understanding and less heat. That they decide well.

God Bless You all.

Lord God, we desperately need your wisdom. You have given us a great country, founded on principles and truths from Your Word. We need men and women who will honour You, trust You, and lead us once again back to You. We pray for servant leaders who love the things You love and who care more about others than themselves.

Give us leaders with discerning hearts, bold faith, and wise minds that model Your character. Teach them—and us—not just what is good, but what is best. Guide them in the way our country should go. Give them purity in their intentions, and godliness in their convictions. Energise their spirits and bodies physically and spiritually, and keep them emotionally secure in the knowledge of who You are—and whose they are. Help them to be bighearted and sincere, energetic in goodness, and courteous in their manners.

Raise up leaders with the greatest potential of godly leadership, those who can ease confusion, expose illusion, and heal delusion. You alone hold the power to turn the hearts of leaders, but You listen and use our prayers to move them into right action. Help us to be faithful to care and to pursue Your heart in prayer.

Amen