When You Want Fairness and Justice – Pray for Judges

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When is the last time you prayed for the judges who preside over the courtrooms across your nation?

I’m not talking about a specific judge who’s ruling over a case you or a loved one are involved with, although that’s important too. I’m talking about the many judges who have been appointed to make legal decisions for the citizens in your country.

Yes, I’m talking about the justice system in general.

As I studied Psalm 82, the following sentence in the Bible Notes practically jumped off the page.

The integrity of the justice system in a nation provides a clear indication of the health of that society.

So, based on those words, how healthy is the society where you live?

The Psalm starts like this…

God presides over heaven’s court;
    He pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
“How long will you hand down unjust decisions
    by favoring the wicked?” 

Psalm 82:1–2

God judges the judges.

The “heavenly beings” are men and women who have been created in God’s image. People He created to represent His character. That’s you and me and everyone else on earth.

That means God created people to…

• Be Just – to do what is good and fair.
• Love – to love the way He loves.
• Live Righteously – to follow His will and obey His commands.
• Be Merciful – to forgive others.
• Be Gracious – to give without expecting anything in return.
• Be Faithful, Patient, Good, Kind, and Full of Truth.

Wow, that’s quite a list, isn’t it?

We all fail to represent God’s character faithfully and consistently every single day.

James wrote…

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.

James 3:2 (HCSB)

I believe that’s why Jesus told His followers not to judge one another. We are to focus on controlling what we say and do personally.

However, with that being said, God has always allowed tribes and nations to appoint judges to create and maintain a just and fair society.

And He commands those judges to judge fairly and impartially according to His will.

• Always judge people fairly. (Leviticus 19:15)
• Be perfectly fair in your decisions and impartial in your judgments. (Deuteronomy 1:16–17)
• Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. (Zecharaiah 7:9)

Why? Because in order to have a healthy society we need fair and impartial judges who are surrendered to the will of God.

That’s why it’s so very important for us to pray for our judges…

Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.

1 Timothy 2:2–4

We can trust that God will judge the judges.

So, let’s do our job and pray for them. Oh yes, it’s easy to stomp our feet and shout about unfair rulings and overall injustice…

But first, let’s PRAY.

A Prayer for Judges to Rule with Justice and Fairness

Father God, You wanted Your people to honor You as King and to trust You as judge, but people chose imperfect human leaders to follow rather than surrendering themselves completely to You. And You allowed them to choose foolishly. And today sinful people continue to live under the leadership of sinful people . . . so, we still bear the consequences of decisions made by people who are not always just or fair.

We long to live in peace with one another. We complain when life is unjust and unfair. We’re more inclined to write our grievances on social media than we are to pause and pray for those making decisions. Please forgive us. Forgive me. And help me faithfully SEEK Your intervention in all that is going on in our culture and especially in our government.

Lord, I pray that You will…

“Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless and uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3–4) Please move in the hearts and minds of those who lead and make judgments for others. Help them to SEEK Your will, and KNOW Your TRUTH. May they not lean on their own understanding but turn to You so that You might guide their paths.

I pray that by Your grace and with Your help, we might live with justice, fairness, and love for one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The 1st American President, George Washington, said…

 “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

And…

“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

The 40th American President, Ronald Reagan, said…

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.”

I have to admit that I’m more prone to talking about the state of the nation than I am to praying for the state of the nation. I’m more likely to point out what’s wrong and complain when I disagree.

But God’s way is better. God’s way tells us to PRAY. Pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders. Pray for those who judge.

And when we do get involved . . . may we humble ourselves, SEEK the Lord, and focus on trusting and obeying Him.

May we pray first, vote for godly leaders, and speak the TRUTH with gentleness and respect.

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