Pray for Judges
There are hundreds of good, honest men and women who serve in our nation as judges—people with integrity who make just decisions. We bless, applaud, and thank them. Sadly, some judges make dangerously wrong ones.
In 2 Chronicles we read about King Jehoshaphat who wanted good judges. When he returned safely to his house in Jerusalem after a battle, he set judges throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” (2 Chronicles 19: 6-7 NIV)
Judeo-Christian beliefs that our early settlers brought with them helped to form the foundation of our system of laws. Later in 1789, the U.S. Supreme Court was “ordained and established” under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. There were six original justices. Today we have nine.
When there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court, a new justice is appointed by the U.S. President and confirmed by the Senate. He or she holds the office typically for life.
Today we have two court systems in the United States: (1) the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts, and (2) the state courts. Federal judges, who act on some of the most significant issues affecting the American people, have wide authority and discretion in the cases over which they preside. 1
“As the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, all decisions and outcomes are final and a case that goes to the Supreme Court must first pass through many other courts… [It] has the power to investigate, question and overturn cases that were decided in lower courts. [It] can also judge the actions of federal, state and local governments. If the Supreme Court feels that another area of government is acting unconstitutionally, they may investigate.” 2
At the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. you will see “Equal Justice Under Law” written above the main entrance. Engraved in stone above the Chief Justice’s seat is a display of the Ten Commandments. When the Marshal announces the beginning of each court session, he ends his speech with, “God save the United States and this Honorable court.” 3
Thousands of judges across our nation need our prayers. When government agencies attempt to strip away our freedoms, even blatantly acting against our Constitution, we must cry out. And we pray that judges will make just decisions, not unjust ones. That righteousness–not evil– will prevail in our nation.
We must especially continue to pray for the Supreme Court justices whose final decisions affect so many of us—we, the people–and even the unborn.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that our Founders established three branches of government to ensure there would be a balance of powers. I pray for Supreme Court justices, and for the thousands of judges serving across America in federal, state, county, and municipal courts. May they not be swayed by prejudice, political opinion, or malicious outside influences. Lord, as our courts come into alignment with Your will, also cause needed changes to be established in all levels of our correctional system. Thank You for awakening believers to pray for these reforms to happen, and to vote accordingly. May all forces of evil in our judicial and correctional systems be abolished, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 4
U.S. Supreme Court Justices: Chief Justice John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Steven Breyer, Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett.
Footnotes:
1. https://www.reference.com/world-view/duties-supreme-court
2. Ibid
3. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country, (FAME Publishing, 1996), 595.
4. Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne Garlock, Warfare Prayers for Women, (Bloomington, MN: Chosen, 2020), 238.
See our book Warfare Prayers for Women which includes 16 prayers for our country. Available on Amazon.
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