1 Kings 3:1-15
“O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:7-9)

Although Solomon had some personal imperfections, as we all do, this prayer for which he is credited is appropriate for one who has been placed in a position of public service and should serve as a model for responsible leaders. In the biography, Truman, as written by David McCullough in 1992; McCullough reports that Harry Truman had memorized a prayer in his high school years that he would recite often through much of his life:

“Oh Almighty and Everlasting God.
Creator of Heaven, Earth, and the Universe:
Help me to be, to think, to act what is right,
because it is right;
Make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things;
Make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor
and without thought of reward to me.
Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen –
help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings –
even as Thou understandest mine!
Amen, Amen, Amen.”

I do not know if Harry Truman’s prayer was inspired by Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, but the parallels are unmistakable.

And while Solomon’s prayer is often considered a prayer for truthful leadership, could we not also consider his petition as a guide for our personal prayers as Harry Truman did? King Solomon did humble himself before God: “I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” We should remember that we all have a tendency to allow Pride, the first of the deadly sins, to cloud our minds and hearts as to what is important when interacting with our brothers and sisters.  In our search for understanding we must look to God first. We must try to see others as God sees them. By adopting Solomon’s prayer, we can walk in the Way with humility and the promise of redemption, for “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” – Proverbs 9:10.