First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
A young woman in Somalia is dead. She was stoned to death.
If you believe her accusers, she was 23-years-old, had confessed to adultery, wanted to be tried for her crime, and asked to receive the punishment due her.
According to her father, she was 13-years-old and had been raped by three men, and when she complained, she was detained and condemned.
What we do know is a young woman was stoned to death. She had begged for her life, but her pleas were ignored. She was buried up to her neck, and stoned by 50 men. After a while, nurses got her out of the hole to check if she was still alive. She was. They put her back in and the stoning began again.
More than 1,000 people crowded around to watch.
Nothing has been done to the man or men who raped or committed adultery with her.
This takes me to the point of this devotion.
I, like many of you, may not always be pleased with the way our country is going. Many of you, like me, may not always be pleased with the conduct and position of those who hold public offices.
Even so, each of us needs to give thanks to the Lord for this land of freedom. We need to come together in prayer for those who are placed by the Lord in authority above us.
Most of all, we need to be grateful -- powerfully grateful -- that we live in a country where religion can be practiced according to conscience and where the great majority of judges try to be just and fair.
Our country is a gracious gift from God, which needs to be protected, preserved, and prayed for.
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, for the gift of freedom I give thanks. Now, may I use some of that freedom to pray for my country's leaders, rulers, and judges. Whether I love them, or am less than enthusiastic about them, may they -- by Your grace -- exceed my expectations. This I pray in the Name of the Savior who has freed me from sin, death, and devil. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 36 Daniel 1-2 Titus 1
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