Daily Prayer for January 2, 2025: Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
 You shall break[them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
(Psalm 2:1-12, ESV)

Prayer: Our glorious King and God, we bless your Name today because you are the sovereign Lord whose rule will have no end. We give you praise for your kingdom that will expand and grow through the ministry of your infallible Word. We are comforted by the fact that you sit in the heavens and you do whatever pleases you. We draw strength from the fact that the actions of evil people can never remove you from your throne, but instead, you use them to bring your redeemed people to their heavenly rest. We thank you, our Father, for giving us your anointed, the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ, who possesses all authority, rule, and dominion over this world. We thank you that we have a sure refuge from those who seek to destroy us and your kingdom through him. We confess, our Father, that we often forget that you are the true Sovereign and that you guide and direct the affairs of the most evil of people. We know our forgetfulness frequently leads to worry and fretting about what evil people can and will do. We forget that the king's heart is in your hands, and they can do nothing without the permission of your divine will. Please forgive us and help us to trust you. 

We pray for our leaders today. You have commanded us to pray for kings and all those in high positions, and we do so, pleading with you to rescue them from their sin and kiss the Son lest he be angry with them and they perish in the way. We pray that you will direct their steps and use them for the good of your church and people. We further pray that their decisions will come under the rule of King Jesus, your only begotten Son in whose name we pray. Amen. 

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 2