In the Arena

In July we celebrate of the founding of both Canada and the United States. Thousands of politicians, both good and not so good, continue to make their mark on our lands.  We would do well to pray for them, rather than to complain about their attempts, for they are in the arena and we are not.

Here is an excerpt from Teddy Roosevelt’s speech “Citizenship In A Republic” delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior.  (1 Timothy 2:2-3, CEV)

Prayer –  Father, today we pray for those in power in our lands, because you said so. Amen