Wednesday Prayer: Keep Me From Using Power Wrongly
Father, I'm tempted to use whatever power I have to enforce what I believe is right. When I'm certain I'm correct and others are wrong, I want to compel agreement rather than persuade through love. When I have authority - in family, workplace, church, community - I'm tempted to use it coercively rather than sacrificially. Forgive me.
Help me remember that your kingdom doesn't advance through coercive power. Jesus rejected political authority, rebuked disciples who wanted to call down fire on opponents, and went to the cross rather than calling legions of angels to fight. His power was made perfect in weakness. His victory came through suffering. His kingdom advances through love, not force.
When I'm certain I'm right, help me hold that certainty humbly. When I have power over others, help me use it sacrificially. When others disagree with me, help me persuade through love rather than compel through authority. Keep me from becoming the oppressor I would condemn. Your kingdom isn't of this world. Neither is mine.
