In the wake of the recent General Election, Rev Dr Joseph Whalen, Jr, Pastor of the Marsden First United Methodist Church, offered these prayers for Bermuda’s political leaders.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 99:1-5, Psalm 1

Reflections of the Heart: When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, the Lord reassured Moses that he was capable of accomplishing the job. Just as Moses had faith in God, we must have faith that God will carry out His perfect will here on earth through today’s political leaders. Offering up effective, fervent prayers for our political leaders will definitely benefit Bermuda more than murmuring and complaining ever will. Pray for our political leaders so that we can live in peace.

Scriptural Prayers

Lord, You are King! You have all wisdom and power. You control the course of world events; removing kings and setting up other kings. You reveal deep and mysterious things and only You know what lies hidden in darkness, though You are surrounded by light.

Father, in obedience to Your Word, we make intercession on behalf of those who are in positions of authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

We pray for Premier David Burt, the new PLP government: Renée Ming, Kim Swan, Lovitta Foggo, Tineé Furbert, Derrick Burgess, Wayne Furbert, Chris Famous, Diallo Rabain, Wayne Caines, Walter Roban, Michael Weeks, Walton Brown, David Burt, Rolfe Commissiong, Lawrence Scott, Neville Tyrrell, Colonel David Burch, Dennis Lister III, Zane DeSilva, Scott Simmons, Jamahl Simmons, Kim Wilson, Dennis Lister, and Michael Scott.

We also uplift the Opposition OBA party. By faith we commit our leaders to your sovereign will. We declare that our political leaders will not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers.

We pray that they will delight in Your law and will meditate in it day and night. As they do this Father, we confess that they will be like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves will not wither, and whatever they do will prosper for the good of our nation. We declare that our political leaders will seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

Amen.

Holy Spirit, we ask You to fill our leaders with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge. Grant them favour, increase their faith, and prepare them to pursue Your excellence.

Draw them to You and cause them to know and fulfil Your purposes. Please place people in their paths that will provide scriptural, sound and godly counsel to help them; for without Your counsel their plans will go awry. Impart Your wisdom and revelation to them about leadership and help them to lead.

Deal with our leaders about keeping their hearts and motives pure. We ask You to make their hearts pliable, willing and obedient to Your will. Cause each of their lives to glorify Your Name.

Amen.

Father, please forgive our political leaders for their sins. Forgive them for greed, hypocrisy, injustice, selfish ambitions, pride, arrogance, idolatry, adultery, slander, sexism, elitism, oppression, partiality, lust, manipulations, lying, ungodliness, perversion, and any act of sinfulness. Lord, forgive me for passing judgment on our political leaders.

Forgive us, the body of Christ, for not praying for them. Lord, remind our political leaders to forgive others and help them to forgive.

Help our political leaders to not yield to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one. Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come. You alone are God. You are subject to none, yet all are subject to You.

Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture References for the written text

Matthew 6:9, Isaiah 40:25, Psalm 145:3, Psalm 99:4-5, Matthew 6:10, Psalm 33:12, I Timothy 2:1-3, II Peter 3:9, Psalm 1:1-3, Amos 5:24, Colossians 1:9, Proverbs 15:22, Matthew 6:13, Revelation 4:8