Lord God, We read here of the disastrous mistake Rehoboam made when he did not listen to wise counsel. I pray that with your help, ______________________ and I may choose our counselors wisely and listen to those who have the greatest wisdom and experience. Please guard us from being influenced by the counsel of peers who urge us to do things that are foolish or prideful. I pray that wherever we have authority - in our homes, our work, or in ministry - we may be servants to those around us. May we use our authority to serve others, and learn how to speak good and wise words to them that they may willingly arrange themselves under our leadership. We also see your sovereignty over all of life displayed here. We're told that this turn of events, this rebellion, was "from the Lord," and we are reminded that you said to Judah, "This is my doing." May we always recognize your sovereign control over all of life, and accept that even in things we do not understand your purposes are being served. Lord, we see the political and social division that resulted when political leaders kept adding to the burden their people were forced to carry. I pray for our political leaders today, when they hear the same complaints from their citizens that this king did. When they hear from us that they have laid too heavy a yoke on us, I pray that that they will choose to listen to wise and experienced counselors who will help them to lighten our yoke and ease our burden. I also pray that we will only choose political leaders who worship you as the true and living God and do not lapse into the worship of false and counterfeit religions. Purify our worship as a nation that we may fear and serve you alone. This I pray in the name of Jesus, amen.