Prayer for Those in the Academic Field of Law

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We continue our series of prayers for field areas today. Our hope is that each prayer will encourage those in a particular subject area in the specificity of their daily work, while also giving those in other fields a glimpse into how their colleagues are glorifying God in different areas of inquiry. If you’re inspired by the series and want to contribute a prayer, check out our Writer’s Guidelines & easy submission process.  For others in the series,  click here.

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Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,

We acknowledge you as the King and Creator of the whole universe, the one whose throne is founded on righteousness  and  justice[1], who is the Judge of all the earth.[2] Yet in your wonderful grace and mercy, you have chosen to offer forgiveness of sins to all who repent and put their trust in your Son the Lord, Jesus Christ, who gave himself as an atoning sacrifice on the cross, and rose again, to pay for those sins.

We thank you for your many gifts of grace to all of humanity created in your image, even to those who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord. In our world marred by sin and rebellion, we thank you that you have ordained the governing authorities, who receive their authority from you, and who are your servants for our good to carry out your wrath on wrongdoers, but to reward those who do good.[3] We pray for all those in positions of authority, that through their work the communities they serve, and especially your people, may be able to lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way, and continue to proclaim the message of the gospel—for we know that this is pleasing in your sight, God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.[4]

We pray for those who are a part of the legal systems that you have ordained, who administer justice and seek to defend the rights of those who have been wronged—for judges and magistrates and court officers, police and prosecutors, lawyers and legal clerks. And we pray for those who have the privilege in the academic world of teaching law and training lawyers.

Father, we ask that legal academics will be diligent to serve you, and their students, and the institutions that engage them, and not just to work for their own fame, reputation or income. We pray that they will work hard to provide students with a good education about the content of the law, but also that they will model godly values in the way that they teach and treat others, including a deep concern for those in greatest need in society. Help them to respect and care for students and colleagues alike, even when they need to discipline or disagree with them. Help them not to be proud and arrogant, but to be humble, willing to learn from others while graciously presenting the truth.

We pray that all your people who teach law will do so in a way which is worthy of you and adorns the gospel of grace.[5] Give them courage when they need to take an unpopular stand, and help them, if they suffer for doing good, to endure and entrust themselves to you, who always judge justly.[6]

Help legal academics to teach, and to research, and to serve their employer, and to bless the wider community, for your glory.

We pray these things in the name of God our Saviour, through the salvation won by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power given by the Holy Spirit.

Amen

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[1] Ps 97:2.

[2] Genesis 18:25.

[3] Romans 13:1-7.

[4] 1 Tim 2:1-4.

[5] Titus 2:10.

[6] 1 Peter 2:19-23.

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Note: Image in post can be found here (credits and license listed in caption).