What are the words that come to mind as we pray daily for our children, no matter what their current age?  As young children, we mostly pray for their protection as they attempt goofy things trying to figure out life stuff while exploring their capabilities, right? I just had a thought; how did Evel Knievel’s mom pray for him? Remember this dare devil who tried to break all records by jumping over vehicles with a motorcycle?  (Real last name, by the way!)  Can you picture him in the backyard as a toddler, lining up planks into ramps to jump his tricycle over the family dog, all while giggling at the sheer thought of doing what was forming in his mind?

As young adults maturing to be men and women in the adult world, what do we pray?  Do we parents beg God to prosper them, kept from harm, so they will be content and happy in life?  I hope there is more to our prayers than being happy for as we know “in this world we will have troubles”, says Jesus but added, “relax for I have overcome the world.  Do they know Jesus?  Is our prayer that they may know, believe, and follow Him?  The best prayer we can pray and model is that our children would seek God first, trust his wisdom above all else, and strive to be men and women who desire to be like His Son, Jesus who modeled perfectly how to humbly walk with God. (Philippians 2)

Psalm 72 is Solomon’s prayer influenced heavily by his father, King David.  Solomon is now the King of Israel. He was raised from childhood to know that God was the supreme King over God’s people.  Solomon also knew that the man on the throne in Jerusalem was God’s representative, obligated to lead the people according to the law of God (See Deuteronomy 17:14–20). King Solomon had to be impartial in his dealings according to the Law given to Moses along with making sure that his throne was founded on God’s righteousness and justice which meant, according to Psalm 89:14, acquiring the God’s ways of Righteousness and Justice.  

As we might recall, Solomon asked God for wisdom above all else as he took the throne! God answered that prayer with teaching him about His righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14

Let’s talk about these terms in order to enrich our own prayers—

God’s righteousness and justice are the bedrock of His character and sovereignty. “Righteousness” implies absolute moral perfection in doing what is right, while “justice” ensures that His judgments and rule are completely fair.  Can a human be and achieve this—only by the power of God in him!  Love and Faithfulness (or Mercy and Truth): These attributes of God “go before” Him. Instead of a harsh tyrant, God leads with compassion and keeps all His promises.

THIS is what and why Solomon prayed; 

Psalm 72, The Message

Of Solomon.  Final prayer of David, son of Jesse.

^1-8 Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God,
    the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly,
    be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness;
    shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor,
    help the children of the needy,
    come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—
    age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass,
    earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom
    and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea,
    from the River to the Rim.

^9-14 Foes will fall on their knees before God,
    his enemies lick the dust.
Kings remote and legendary will pay homage,
    kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
All kings will fall down and worship,
    and godless nations sign up to serve him,
Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
    the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
    he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture—
    when they bleed, he bleeds;
    when they die, he dies.

^15-17 And live! Oh, let him live!
    Deck him out in Sheba gold.
Offer prayers unceasing to him,
    bless him from morning to night.
Fields of golden grain in the land,
    cresting the mountains in wild exuberance,
Cornucopias of praise, praises
    springing from the city like grass from the earth.
May he never be forgotten,
    his fame shine on like sunshine.
May all godless people enter his circle of blessing
    and bless the One who blessed them.

^18-20 Blessed God, Israel’s God,
    the one and only wonder-working God!
Blessed always his blazing glory!
    All earth brims with his glory.
Yes and Yes and Yes.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Could this prayer be a ways for us to pray for our leaders?  What if we prayed similar words, asking God for wisdom to dwell in all our leaders who govern us?  All earthly leaders are very human and uber tempted by evil from all directions!  Do they not deserve our prayers if we do not agree with them?  The answer is they need our prayers as much as our family and friends!  What they do affects us all!  These people stepped up to serve and got elected by the populus. It is our responsibility as citizens of our town, city, state, and country to respect and honor the position they are in with consistent, intentional prayer to God to give them His righteous wisdom with justice as they lead!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:33-34

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” is a foundational biblical teaching from Jesus as recorded by Matthew 6:33. It means prioritizing God’s rule, values, and moral standards in your daily life, trusting that He will provide for your physical and practical needs without the burden of anxiety.

“The Kingdom of God” represents God’s sovereign rule, His will being done, and His presence in the world. Seeking it means placing God’s purposes, teachings, and desires above personal ambition or worldly gain.

“His Righteousness” refers to living by God’s moral standards and doing what is right in His eyes. It involves aligning our actions, thoughts, and character with His holiness. We are not perfect but He is and always will be!

“Jesus ended with the Promise“…and all these things will be added to you”. This is our blessed assurance that when we put God first, He takes care of our basic human needs (like food, clothing, and shelter).

The proclamation of Micah the prophet, centuries before Jesus came, makes total sense as Jesus reiterates God’s Truth to humanity:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8

All believers are commanded by God’s Son Jesus, His prophets, apostles, and teachers to seek God first, ask for His wisdom, surrender, and listen as we walk humbly with God.  When we ask for wisdom; God gives and gives and does not hold back!  We need to pray, ask, listen, trust, and obey! Stop being anxious for what may never happen!

Don’t forget who we are in Christ as designed by God—We are created in God’s image.  God’s desire is that we become our Faithful Father in all His ways. We will not achieve all His attributes on earth; therefore, as we live and breathe we must seek His wisdom of righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness in all we think, say, and do—so that the world may know Him. When we pray the promise of the peace of Christ settles our souls—just like He promised.

Lord,

Thank you for cleansing my heart, removing all that does not belong there. Thank you for renewing my mind with your peace with wisdom. Thank you for refreshing my soul with your thoughts of righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness. Thank you for the joy and peace of your salvation at work continually in me.  Thank you for your relentless love for our children and their children!

May our leaders be filled with your wisdom for our good and your glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen