Time for a Hero
Opening Prayer
“When morning gilds the sky, my heart, awakening, cries, ‘May Jesus Christ be praised!'” (Anon.). Pray that now.
Read PSALM 72:1-20
[1] Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. [2] He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. [3] The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. [4] He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. [5] He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. [6] He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. [7] In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. [8] He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. [9] The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. [10] The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. [11] All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. [12] For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. [13] He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. [14] He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. [15] Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. [16] Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. [17] May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. [18] Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. [19] Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. [20] This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What are some positive attributes prayed for this King?Every year on May 1 (May Day), revelers ignore police bans and jump off a bridge in Oxford, England, into the river below. One minute they’re singing at dawn, the next they’re being carried on stretchers to the hospital.
Psalm 72 is a hymn sung at dawn: for a new king and a new era. Full of sunshine, golden corn and refreshing rain, it’s a prayer of hope for Israel’s kings. It’s a plea for paradise to become a reality. King David was the “golden boy” who epitomized the people’s hopes and dreams for peace and good government. They wanted a hero: a just judge, a wise ruler, a defender of the weak. This was David’s prayer for his sons, too, but the reality of Solomon’s reign was less than paradise. The pomp and ceremony of marriage was not a one-time experience for him (Song of Songs 3:11). He had hundreds of wives, bringing dangerous diversions from God and his righteousness. Like other golden heroes and leaders, Solomon ignored his own wisdom and dived off the bridge (1 Kings 11:9,10). Nevertheless, there is a hero who can meet our every expectation (18).
Apply
Pray for the leaders of your community and your country using the words of this psalm.
Closing prayer
Lord God, Ruler of all, may those who govern have Your wisdom and guidance. Help me to regularly pray for them.
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