God’s will always governs the lives of His people, yet our prayers are a secondary means which God, in His providence, uses to carry out His will. Accordingly, God’s people should never be reticent to pray that God’s will would be done in specific and particular ways. With that in mind, the following are some suggested ways that Christians might pray for the members of the Standing Judicial Commission (SJC) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) as they carry out their work. This list should not be thought of as comprehensive at all. There are petitions which could and should be offered far beyond this list. Still, some of these prayer suggestions will hopefully be found helpful for a praying people.
Pray that the Commissioners in their work would always be seeking to honor God.
On one level, such a prayer might seem to be unnecessary, as the men serving on the Commission are elected because they are seen by the General Assembly to be men of high integrity and character. Furthermore, they have vowed by “the assistance of the grace of God” to act as “before God” with God Himself, being the Commissioner’s own “Judge and the Searcher of hearts.” Still, asking God to provide each Commissioner with more grace so as to better honor God in all things is so necessary as the Commissioners are faced with the high responsibility of ruling on controversies between men. Pray that God’s honor would be at the forefront of each Commissioner’s mind.
Pray that the Commissioners would have well-ordered thoughts in considering, hearing, deliberating, and deciding cases.
To have well-ordered thoughts might not leap out as being an essential element of prayer for the Commissioners, but the nature of the cases reveals how much well-ordered thoughts are practical and needed. As a reviewing Court, the SJC is limited to reviewing materials contained in Records of Cases as they are provided by lower courts. Such Records do not read as if they are narrative accounts being told in a chronological manner. The evidence contained therein is usually not presented in a particularly orderly way and, at times, the content of Records is voluminous. To have well-ordered thoughts helps Commissioners make sense of the Record of the Case, ask constructive questions of parties in any hearing, and interact well with other Commissioners as cases are deliberated and decided. Pray for well-ordered thoughts.
Pray that the Commissioners would consistently be good listeners.
As the Scriptures teach, it is wise to be slow to speak and quick to listen. This particularly benefits Commissioners when participating in judicial matters. Listening well to the positions taken by parties can clarify the issues and lead to wise decision making. Further, giving an ear to fellow Commissioners can sway one Commissioner’s position to that of another and perhaps lead to more unified outcomes. Even more, non-prevailing parties to a case are far more accepting of outcomes adverse to them simply by having the comfort of knowing their views have been attentively heard by those sitting in judgment. Pray for listening ears.
Pray that the Commissioners would be temperate in dealing with all parties to all cases.
The advocacy of positions by parties can at times be done with such passion that the arguments may become (or seem to become) intemperate. If that happens, as fallen men with remaining sinful natures, there can arise temptations in Commissioners to rebuke unkindly or in an overly harsh manner. Even when a rebuke during a case is appropriate, may it happen with a spirit of compassion as helpful correction is offered. Pray for temperate dispositions.
Pray that the Commission, as a whole, and Commissioners, as individuals, would rule while having a high and appropriately balanced view of both justice and mercy.
In any judicial matter justice is desired – but especially in ecclesiastical matters – justice as an end goal should not become blind to an additional merciful goal of desiring to see sinners reclaimed and restored. Administering justice with an eye looking to mercy in proper balance will help all parties while still upholding a needed purity in the church to the glory of God. Pray that Commissioners strive for the administration of Godly justice and Godly mercy.
Pray that the Commissioners would consistently be men of prayer themselves.
In any effort to list various ways people of the PCA and other Christians might be praying for the SJC and its individual Commissioners, only a general and incomplete list can be compiled. That is especially so in that each case often presents unique facts regarding any of a variety of issues. Cases may involve some moral failing, a scandal, an unorthodox teaching, a confessional infidelity, or an incorrect application of procedures, to name a few. The uniqueness of a given case will alter how one might specifically direct their prayers to God. So, in addition to the people of the PCA and others praying for SJC Commissioners, the Commissioners, when encountering different and especially novel issues, should find that it is imperative for themselves to spend time on their knees as they wrestle with matters coming before them. Prayer should undergird the work of each Commissioner. Pray that the SJC Commissioners would all be men of consistent prayer.
