Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
Genesis 26:1 to 6 and 12 to 33; Hebrews 13:17 to 25; John 7:53 to 8:11:
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.” (Hebrews 13: 17)
I believe we all are led by another person or persons. From our president down to the least followed person on the planet. Sometimes our leaders are a group of people as in a council or a cabinet, or vestry or board of directors. The reason we have this body of leadership is because in, and of themselves individually, leaders often can’t figure out the next best move. And, not many leaders today are concerned about our souls.
As we care about the spiritual and physical health of our leaders we should keep them in prayer, asking God to aid and assist them in good thoughts and right actions for the welfare of their charge. Whether our leaders are one person or a group, they are not outside the influence of God. Even if we don’t like our leader, it would be all the more reason to pray to God for them. God will make them who they need to be in order that they “keep watch over our souls.”
God can, and will, also have our leadership be joyful in doing the good works pleasing in God’s sight. As one who served in the Marines for thirty years under all kinds of leaders, and now being led by a faithful bishop and a loving parish vestry, I know firsthand that prayer for leaders work.
Leaders (including myself) are often conflicted about how priorities should be set, but prayer to God for right judgment always helps. I can say to you honestly that praying for leaders makes a good and positive difference. The big thing to overcome is that we must really “want” leadership to be better, to do good works for the people they serve. We can’t hold grudges or wish ill upon them. But rather, work with God for their improvement. If we didn’t have societies we wouldn’t need leaders. So it is really for the people that we are praying. And when (not if), the leader improves, relish in the pride of working with God that changed him or her. And you know what? They didn’t even see it coming. Bless their hearts.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 