Daphne was standing in the hall of the local courthouse holding her Bible. She was wearing her Pray for the Courts badge when a man came up. “Are you here to pray that God will rain down fire from heaven and burn this place to the ground?”
She replied, “Not at all. This is the best system on the planet. It may be flawed, and whenever human beings are involved, it will be flawed. May I explain to you why we pray?”
“Go ahead” he nodded.
She said, “Our judges, attorneys, judicial staff, mediators, case workers, bailiffs, security officers, even the maintenance crews–are steeped in every kind of brokenness daily. They are surrounded by evil, wickedness, lies, broken people, broken contracts, broken hearts, broken friendships and broken relationships. They wonder about it. They lose sleep over it. It inhabits their thoughts day and night. This is where all these workers live every day.
“We can criticize them for becoming a little jaded. But perhaps they could use prayer for protection from the evil they’re surrounded by and have to investigate and outline in their arguments.
“Even the court reporters sitting in courtrooms, must listen to everything said. They have to go back over what they type and edit it. If it’s something like sexual abuse or child abuse and they have to go back and correct it and re-read it, imagine the impact. Court reporters need prayer to record and process in a healthy way, what they are being exposed to daily.
“Shame on us for calling them to do that job, and never providing prayer support while they are surrounded with the evil we don’t want to deal with. We need to pray for the jurors and bailiffs. We need to pray blessings over them, that they have everything they need to accomplish their job: good, supportive friendships within their departments, integrity, release from the things that some use to help them deal with the ugliness–such as alcohol, sleeplessness, drugs or an affair.
“They need to know someone is coming into their courtroom and not looking to criticize them. Someone is coming to pray God’s favor over them, so they are fully equipped to do their job with excellence, integrity, with physical health, spiritual health and emotional health.”
His response, “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.”
- I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Copied with permission and for more information: http://www.kathleensfaithwalk.com/prayer-works/why-pray-for-the-courts/
I was pleasantly surprised to see a person wearing a Pray for Our Courts badge as I entered the courtroom to once again deal with child support issues with my ex. My first thought was that they were there to pray for those seeking justice from the courts, like me. I was grateful to speak with her and felt more at peace sharing my struggles and knowing that I had someone there providing prayers.
Now, after reading Kathleen’s experience, i understand better the need to be praying, not just for the afflicted that come to the courts seeking justice, but for everyone who works in the courts. I realize that i can do more to pray for them, and not just pray for myself.