OT 31

Lord and God,

Our soul waits for you, O Lord. You are God, and there is no other to hear and to save. Kings are but men, whose hearts you have fashioned, on whom you look down from your heavenly throne. The plans of the cunning are merely footnotes on your heavenly counsel. Their secrets will be found and foiled, even by the simple and weak, as you have given favor to conquered Esther before, and all your people through her.

The kings of men are ever jealous for the allegiance we share with no other but you. The rulers would that we would fall into common cause with idols. Let us never scandalize brothers and sisters for whom Christ died. Let us have heavenly wisdom to live as a people in exile, awaiting the fullness of your kingdom, to engage the earthly city and seek its good, yet to love and serve you only as Lord. Let us find the blessing of your heritage. We hope in you.