How to Pray for Judge Kavanaugh

I’ve been asked “How do you pray for what’s going on with the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh?” My reply, “Early and often” maybe isn’t what people actually want to know. What they’re really asking is how you even begin to pray for such a situation.

Scripture, my friends, Scripture.

Brett Kavanaugh is a devout Catholic and irrespective of some evangelicals’ view of Catholicism, I believe that Christ-followers can be found in Catholicism, in the Protestant Church, and in some of the most unlikely places. The litmus test isn’t what denomination (since every denomination has its pretenders and many people who should know better are falling away at present), but whether the Holy Spirit indwells the individual by faith.

That’s rock solid from God’s perspective, the only perspective that counts.

For those of you who have never had the pleasure <sarcasm warning> of being hated and slandered, let me tell you that it hurts and it’s most hurtful coming from who you think are your own, fellow Christians, fellow travelers in your line of work, even family members. What you thought was a connection, a bond of trust, is suddenly and shockingly broken.

To Judge Kavanaugh, my brother in Christ, I would remind him of the words spoken by our brother Jesus, Matthew 10: 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you… 24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”

Be encouraged, Judge Kavanaugh, Jesus tells you not to worry. Remain faithful and God will do the speaking. Stay strong in your weakness, Judge Kavanaugh, for like the Apostle Paul, a hero of the faith, 2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” You’re sharing in the sufferings of Christ and you will be a better Supreme Court Justice for it.

You’re in good company, Judge Kavanaugh—they did it to Jesus too. Matthew 26:59 “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward.” Jesus knows about witnesses, both true and false, and He knows exactly what happened 30+ years ago for you. He knows better than anyone what’s going on now.

In eternity’s balance and on its scales of justice, facts and His truth rule the day, no matter what happens here on earth.

So, my brother Brett, my sister Ashley, here is my prayer for you and your family.

Lord God, our Father in heaven, we praise You for the wisdom of discipline for Your children, for Your forming deep channels of trust in You so we might know where Your peace surely rules, where the water is completely still under Your powerful hand. We praise You for joy even in suffering because we know that You have walked this road ahead of us and have made eternal life with You possible.

We thank You, Lord, for how knowable You are in the midst of stress, turmoil, sadness, and persecution. Thank You that You are near to the brokenhearted, having mercy and compassion upon us. We thank You, Lord, that the Truth triumphs in the end.

We lift Brett and Ashley Kavanaugh, as well as their daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, up to You, Lord, for Your protection. Your comfort. Your wisdom. Your strength. May they rest in the sure knowledge of Your unconditional love for them and that You have called Judge Kavanaugh to this place in history. May Judge Kavanaugh see the years of preparation You have given him for such a time as this.

May he be comforted by the fellowship of believers across this nation and around the world who are lifting him in prayer to You, Father, for You alone know all things. You alone are powerful. You alone hold history in Your hand. You alone know the bigger battle is occurring in a realm we cannot see. May our weapons of Your Truth, Your righteousness, Your Word, and Your Gospel protect and preserve the Kavanaugh family as they persevere.

Bless them, Lord, with unmistakable knowledge of Your love for them. Shelter the Kavanaugh family and give them complete rest in Christ, even in the presence of those arrayed against them. We trust You, Lord, to do what is right, for You are holy. We trust that no weapon formed against You will stand and we praise You that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus. Amen.