"Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough
to match the breath of 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 of ourselves -
though development we hope for -
more than security for our own land -
though security we need -
more than satisfaction for our wants
though many things we desire.

Give us hearts to choose the leader
who will work with other leaders
to bring safety
to the whole world.

Give us leaders
who lead this nation to virtue
without seeking to impose
our kind of virtue
on the virtue of others.

Give us government
that provides for the advancement
of this country
without taking resources from others
to achieve it.

Give us insight enough for ourselves
to choose as leaders those who can tell
strength from power
growth from greed
leadership from dominance
and real greatness
from the trappings of grandiosity.

We trust you, Great God,
to open our hearts to learn from those
to whom you speak in different tongues
and to respect the life and words
of those to whom you entrusted
the good of the other parts of the globe.

We beg you, Great God,
give us vision as a people
to know where global leadership truly lies,
to pursue it diligently,
to require it to protect human rights
for everyone everywhere.

We ask these things, Great God
with minds open to your word
and hearts that trust in your eternal care.
Amen!"