Prayers for the Church

Prayer for Courts of Justice

Almighty God, who sittest in the throne judging right: We humbly beseech thee to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1979), public domain

Scripture to pray with

  • Micah 6:8

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Isaiah 1:17

    Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

  • Amos 5:24

    But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

  • Proverbs 21:15

    It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

  • Isaiah 30:18

    And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

More Bible verses about justice →

How to pray this prayer

Read it slowly, aloud if you can. Pause at each phrase and make it your own: name the people and situations on your heart. Close by sitting quietly for a minute, trusting that God has heard you (1 John 5:14–15).