Lord, I know I should pray for our rulers and statesmen and women,

    but they seem hopeless and beyond praying for.

Yet I know quite well we have to pray for those who despitefully use us,

    and you never thought people were so bad as to be impossible to save.

But didn’t you have your doubts about the Pharisees?

Probably you prayed about them a lot but the Bible doesn’t tell us how.

Teach us how to pray for politicians,

    and give me faith to keep on praying

    in the hopes that you will give them wisdom

    and eyes to see beyond their own party to the wider world,

    and encourage them to work for the good of all mankind.

Michael Hollings, 1921-1997, English Roman Catholic priest

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First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.