Lutheran Life 9
Church & Government
FOR GOVERNMENT
Lord God, as I pray for all who are in authority, I thank You especially for the form of
government given us in our beloved country. Give me the grace with my fellow citizens to
value the officers and the magistrates of our government as those sent by You. Instill in me that
respect and honor that is due them. Lord, endow them with wisdom for their several duties,
with a spirit of sacrifice for the common welfare, with mercy and justice, with uprightness and
kindliness. Correct the evils of selfishness, greed, a vain desire for honor, or abuse of power
among us as well as in the other governments of the world. Grant that the true purposes of
government may prevail, safeguarding peace and prosperity, so that we may live soberly and
uprightly in Your sight and have opportunity to tell of You and Your kingdom. These petitions I
direct to You because in Jesus I know You as my Father and Lord. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, p. 177)
Churches across America are trying
to "modernize" Christianity to fit
the needs of the people. But true,
authentic Christianity doesn't need
to be modernized. Rather, by being
confessional, sacramental, and
vocational, true Christianity can always
withstand the changing of times. Find
this title and others from this magazine
at cph.org/llresources.
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY
