A Prayer for the Election

Please feel free to use this in your church or community as a corporate prayer, or on your own.

Using the framework of the Lord’s prayer, I’m going to lead us through a time of prayer for the election right now, and we will end with the Lord’s prayer together.

In the spirit of unity, after each section I will say - In your mercy…. 

Please respond with, Lord, hear our prayer.

Let’s pray…

Our Father in Heaven - you alone are holy, and you alone are worthy of our worship and praise. Lord, we know that only you can save us. No powers or principalities can save us. No president can save us. No government can save us. You alone are our God, you alone are the ruler of all the earth, and to you we give our praise.

In your mercy….

Lord, hear our prayer

We know, Lord, that our world is broken, and our country is broken. We know there is poverty, disease, racism, anger, frustration, hunger, struggle, division…. 

This is not how you want it to be. 

We pray that we would be people who work to bring the redemption and wholeness of your Kingdom to this country and to the world. Help us to do your will in all things, even as we vote. Make our elected leaders people who work for your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. And remind us that your victory is always certain. May your salvation, healing, and redemption flow all over this land.

In your mercy…

Lord, hear our prayer

Lord, help us not to get lost in anxiety about the future. There have been many kings, queens, and presidents. Many emperors and empires have come and gone. But you reign forever, and you provide for those who love you. You care for us and give us our daily bread, even in the wilderness. You have promised us your goodness and mercy forever. Help us to rest in that.

In your mercy….

Lord, hear our prayer

Despite your care for us, we still turn against you. We make idols of things that cannot save us. We work against you and your Kingdom. Forgive us Lord. We are lost without your forgiveness. Give us hearts of forgiveness, extending your mercy and grace to others, just as you have extended it to us - remembering that you desire the salvation of all of your children, from the most powerful world leaders to least of these.

In your mercy….

Lord, hear our prayer

Lord, help us to turn away from sin. It tempts us and entices us, but let us not sin during this election, not in anger, in pride, in fear, or in judgment… lead us away from the sin that tempts us. Keep us from becoming people who do evil. Direct the paths of our elected leaders away from sin. Guide them in righteousness. 

In your mercy…

Lord, hear our prayer

Soon, Lord, this country will have a new president and new leaders. But this world is yours. This country is yours. The heavens and the earth are yours, and everything in them. And yours is the glory, and the power forever.

Let’s pray together now in unity the prayer that Jesus taught us….

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

Amen.