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A Prayer for national leaders:

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?

"I the LORD search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

Jeremiah 17: 5-10

O Lord, have mercy on us,
each and every one of us
for trusting in our own strong hand
instead of in your hands.

O Lord, you who know all hearts,
soften our hearts,
awaken us to where we have failed,
awaken us to whom it is who gives us our strength,
and teach us to walk in your ways.

Today, O Lord, I send up my prayers
That you guide the minds and hearts of those
who go to the polls to choose our next group of leaders.

May these be men and women of your chosing,
who will lead us as you want.

Please help those who will stand up against the darkness
hold their place agains the gathering foes
and bravely do the right thing.

Above all, may your will be done, this day and always.

In the name of Jesus we ask, Amen.