1 SAMUEL 13:13-14, 1 SAMUEL 15:28, PSALM 78:70-72
Tall, rich and handsome, Saul had both the stature and skill-set to be a good king. And yes, God wanted skills. But more than that, He wanted a pure heart – a heart after His own heart! Saul, at the height of his power, was tested and found wanting. Long before his regime fell, God went headhunting and heart-searching throughout Israel. And one day, in a lonely field by a sheep pen He found a rosy-cheeked shepherd boy, and dropped the kingdom in his heart. And David shepherded them [Israel] with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (Psalm 78:72). A rare combination of character and competence! Abraham Lincoln once said: “Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing…Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test man’s character, give him power.”
PRAY FOR THE WORLD
- For the present leaders of our land to work toward national development
- For hidden religious and ethnic cleansing agendas in the minds of some politicians to be exposed and rejected by the masses
- For the rising level of unemployment and poverty to be halted
- For the promises made by the present government in their election manifesto to be granted to the people, thus easing frustration
- For politicians and political groups not to create a violent atmosphere in our nations
- For good Christians to be elected into government positions and governing bodies
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH
- For the body of Christ to heed the call to prayer and for nationwide intercessory prayer armies to emerge
- For the church to see its real purpose in society and reach out to the lost
- For believers to be built up by the preaching of sound doctrine
- For the level of faith in the hearts of national pastors and believers to increase and to take the nations
- For the church to be faithful to take the gospel to the marketplace
- For the family prayer alters to be renewed and reestablished
PRAYER FOCUS
Spend some time in prayer today for pastors, missionaries and ministries in West Africa.