Lord God, in our prayers for our country

we remember especially the men and women 

who powerfully influence the life of society:

    those who fashion our politics,

    those who frame and administer our laws,

    those who mold public opinion through various forms of media,

    those who write what many read.

May all such recognize their responsibility to you and to the nation, 

    that people may be influenced for what is good, not evil;

    for what is true, not false;

for the glory of your name,

 

Frank Colquhoun,1909-1997, evangelical priest and author, Church of England

The Complete Book of Christian Prayer, slightly updated

 

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Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,
    and princes will rule in justice.
Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
    a shelter from the storm,
  like streams of water in a dry place,
    like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed,
    and the ears of those who hear will give attention.
The heart of the hasty will understand and know,
    and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly.
The fool will no more be called noble,
    nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.
For the fool speaks folly,
    and his heart is busy with iniquity,
  to practice ungodliness,
    to utter error concerning the Lord,
  to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied,
    and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil;
    he plans wicked schemes
  to ruin the poor with lying words,
    even when the plea of the needy is right.
But he who is noble plans noble things,
    and on noble things he stands.