A Prayer for Leadership

Give us, O God,

leaders whose hearts are large enough

to match the breadth or our own souls

and give us souls strong enough

to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

In seeking a leader, let us seek

more than development for ourselves—

though development we hope for,

more than security we need,

more than satisfaction for our wants—

though many things we desire.

Give us the hearts to choose the leader

who will work with other leaders

to bring safety

to the whole world . . .

—from “A Prayer for Leadership” by Joan Chittister