From UMCDiscipleship.org
Prayer for National and Church Leaders
Lord, we believe you when you say you will lead us. But we have suffered at the hands of those who would destroy and scatter your sheep. You promised that you would raise us up shepherds who will gather us together so that no one will live in fear. So, we look for those shepherds, Lord.
We pray for those shepherds who will do good and do right, for those who will protect the children, who will teach the children, who will give the children hope. We pray for those shepherds who will pursue peace, who will walk humbly, who will reconcile the nations. We pray for those shepherds who will fight injustice, who stand on the side of justice. We pray for those shepherds who will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and set at liberty the captives. We pray for those shepherds who will spread love, show mercy, and practice hospitality.
Lord, we pray for those shepherds, we pray for all peoples, we pray for the church universal, we pray for our country, we pray for the nations.
From The Africana Worship Book: Year C, ©2008 Discipleship Resources, p 164.Written by Tony Peterson, Inspired by Jeremiah 3:15, 23: 1- 4). (Paraphrased by Cynthia A Wilson)