perfect heart

It was another time and place, but does any of this sound familiar? A new man was assuming the top office. Huge crowds gathered to celebrate. Excitement and anticipation were in the air. And a man prayed for the new leader.

Here’s what he prayed: “Give to my son Solomon a perfect heart—to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all.” ¹

This word translated “perfect” is quite interesting. It’s used to describe just or accurate weights and measures², full wages³, or whole nations⁴. It conveys a completeness and gives the sense that nothing is lacking.⁵

So the prayer is for a perfectly complete heart—one that will be sure to keep God’s commandments and requirements.

And wonder of wonders, God is attentive to such a request!

So with Inauguration Day behind us, is there any more fitting prayer for President Obama? O Lord, give him a perfectly complete heart so that he will revere You, obey You, and lead this nation righteously.

Come to think of it, shouldn’t we be praying that for ourselves as well? O God, make my heart perfectly complete—lacking in nothing—so that I, too, will be careful to follow Your commands and decrees.