Since Richard
Nixon was President, I have been praying through the Psalms each month. I
pray for the US President and other political leaders (global, national, state,
local) whenever a Psalm mentions the king, kings, princes, rulers, etc. That
happens almost every day, sometimes more than once. I have found these Psalms
have prompted me to pray in unexpected ways from several different angles for
those in positions of public leadership (sometimes that includes leaders in
business and other endeavors). This has also enabled me to pray in healthy ways
for all of these Presidents (and others) whether I agree with them or their
positions or not.
On the 12th
of each month I come to Psalm 72, which is the most comprehensive prayer for
the King in the Psalter. As the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President is
just days away, Psalm 72 has prompted me to pray that his administration will
have the effects prayed for in the Psalm, regardless of what he (and other who
work in government and politics) intend. I strongly urge all biblical people
(Christians and Jews) to pray through Psalm 72 in its entirety when they pray
for the new administration, Congress and other public leaders. I have
summarized the core of the Psalm below, casting it as an invocation for the inauguration.
May God bring
justice and righteousness through President Trump. May God bless the whole
nation (and the rest of the world) with prosperity so that those at the bottom
of the socio-economic ladder enjoy prosperous lives. May God prompt President
Trump to give special attention to the needs of the weak, the poor and the
needy. May God enable President Trump to limit violence. May God bring respect
and honor of other nations to President Trump and the United States as agents
for peace and justice in the world. May God grant the people of the nation to
be authentically delighted in their President.
For those who
have not seen my pattern of praying the Psalms, it is to start with the date
(today is 12), then add 30 four times (today 42, 72, 102, 132). On the 29th
I skip Psalm 119 and come back to it by itself when a month has 31 days, since
it is to long.
