A Prayer for Leadership and Wisdom in Times of Crisis
"And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder." - 2 Kings 18:18
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with an earnest heart, seeking Your divine guidance and wisdom in the times of trials and tribulation that surround us. We reflect on the words from 2 Kings 18:18, "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder." Lord, this passage serves as a reminder of the vital roles leaders play during moments of crisis, and we lift our leaders up to You, asking for Your wisdom to be poured out upon them.
Gracious God, in our own lives, whether in our homes, workplaces, communities, or in our nations, we know that challenges arise that require wise guidance. Just as Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah stood before the king, filled with responsibility and purpose, let us also stand united in prayer for those whom You have placed in positions of authority. We pray that they might resemble Eliakim, ever aware of the weight upon their shoulders, always striving to shepherd their households and their people with integrity and grace.
Lord, in these critical moments, grant our leaders the heart of a servant leader like Eliakim, who looked not only to his own interests but also to the well-being of others. May they be equipped with a spirit of humility and strength, enabling them to make choices that align with Your will. Let their decisions be marked with righteousness and fairness, bringing peace and order in times of chaos.
We also lift up the role of the scribe, exemplified by Shebna, who was entrusted with the responsibility to record and communicate vital information. Father, we ask that You raise up wise communicators in our midst, those who can articulate truth and relay knowledge with clarity and integrity. May they have the courage to speak boldly yet compassionately, ensuring that the public remains informed, empowered, and united.
Likewise, we remember Joah, the recorder, who documented the events taking place. Lord, help us in our personal lives to record and reflect on Your faithfulness. May we keep a journal of prayers, reflections, and the testimonies of Your goodness so that we do not forget the mighty acts You have done throughout history and in our lives today. Encourage us to share these accounts with others, to remind them of Your unwavering presence in both our individual lives and in society.
As we intercede for our leaders, we also ask that You surround them with wise counsel. May they seek advice from those who fear You and walk in Your ways. Let them not be swayed by worldly temptations or pressures to compromise their values. Instead, may a spirit of discernment envelop them, ensuring they lead with both strength and sensitivity.
Dear Lord, we realize that leadership, much like the duties assigned to Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, comes with tremendous pressure and responsibility. We ask that You grant them endurance and perseverance during times of indecision and strife. Remind them, O God, that they are never alone in their leadership journeys. You have promised to be near to the brokenhearted and to be an ever-present help in trouble.
In conclusion, we thank You for the leaders You have placed in our lives. May they seek Your face daily, reflecting Your love and wisdom to those they serve. We place our trust in You, Lord, acknowledging that with You, all things are possible. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in their leadership, as it is in heaven.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen.
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2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
"And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder." - 2 Kings 18:18
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."
2 Kings 18:3 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did."
2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 2:18 - "And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 18:8 - "He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city."
2 Kings 18:10 - "And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken."
2 Kings 18:7 - "And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not."
2 Kings 18:28 - "Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:"
2 Kings 18:29 - "Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:"
2 Kings 18:6 - "For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses."
2 Kings 18:11 - "And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:"
2 Kings 18:34 - "Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?"
2 Kings 17:18 - "Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."
2 Kings 19:18 - "And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them."
2 Kings 18:1 - "Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign."
2 Kings 18:13 - "¶ Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them."