A Prayer for Leadership

Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough 
to match the breadth of our own souls 
and give us souls strong enough
to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

In seeking a leader, let us seek 
more than development for ourselves—
though development we hope for—
more than security for our own land—
though security we need—
more than satisfaction for our wants—
though many things we desire.

Give us the hearts to choose 
the leader who will work with other leaders
to bring safety to the whole world.

Give us leaders 
who lead this nation to virtue
without seeking to impose 
our kind of virtue 
on the virtue of others.

Give us a government
that provides for the advancement
of this country
without taking resources from others 
to achieve it.

Give us insight enough ourselves
to choose as leaders those who can tell 
strength from power,
growth from greed,
leadership from dominance,
and real greatness 
from the trappings of grandiosity.

We trust you, Great God,
to open our hearts to learn 
from those to whom you speak 
in different tongues 
and to respect the life and words
of those to whom you entrusted
the good of other parts of this globe. 

We beg you, Great God,
give us the vision as a people
to know where global leadership truly lies, 
to pursue it diligently,
to require it to protect human rights 
for everyone everywhere.

We ask these things, Great God, 
with minds open to your word
and hearts that trust in your eternal care.

Amen.

Sr. Joan Chittister
(Reprinted with permission)