But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.

Lord, as we worship you at the beginning of this week, we are aware of our guilt in judging people, circumstances and relationships by what is visible – we are even swayed by the opinion of others.  We are all too often influenced by the visible and we ignore the things of the heart.

Today, our heart’s cry is that you will give us a sense of how you see all things and all people, that we might evaluate all of life from your perspective. Give us holy insight, measured by the eternal truth of your Word, in these crucial days for our nation. Father, we pray for our nation, its leaders and its potential leaders, that all would be fully awakened to have a heart for you. As we move toward important days of decision, help us to look on the heart. In Christ’s name we pray – Amen.