1 Chronicles 18:14 
So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.(NLT)

Thus David ruled over all of Israel. He ruled well, fair and evenhanded in all his duties and relationships.
(The Message)

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Where, O where, can we find government officials who can be described like King David? 

Since Election Year is a couple of years away, now is a good time to pray for leaders who are just. This means they are law-abiding and law-enforcing. They understand the constraints placed upon them as well as the constraints placed upon others. 

Let us pray for leaders who are likewise righteous. This means they do the right thing the right way for the right reason in the right timing. 

The Message paraphrases these ideas as “fair and evenhanded.” 

We can pray the same way about those who serve now. We can pray this way about local, state, and federal officials. The Apostle Paul gives us this instruction: 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

One idea to shape our prayers for appointed and elected officials is to ask God to give us the leaders we need, not those we deserve. We might also be so bold as to ask for the leaders we need instead of those we prefer. God knows the hearts and minds of candidates better than we do. 

This is a big issue. We need to pray about it now and repeat it often. For years, I have included this kind of praying in my prayer list. It comes up each week on a particular day. You might consider a similar plan.

We need more officials God wants for us who will lead according to his plans and purpose. 

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I will pray for the elected and appointed officials we have and those to come. 

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Our Father, bless us with the leaders we need. Deliver us from those who refuse to align their hearts, minds, and allegiances to you. Bless us with peace-seeking leaders who help make it possible for us to live safe and peaceful lives. Amen.