Guided Prayer for Election Day
As we head into Election Day, you may use any or all of these prayers to cover our democratic process in prayer.
Centering Prayer
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires, known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by
the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Psalter Reading
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the
nations shall bow before him. For kingship belongs to the Lord he rules over the nations. To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship all who go down to the dust fall before him. My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him they shall be known as the Lord’s forever. They shall come and make known to a-people yet unborn the saving deeds that he has done. Take my voice and let me sing always only for my king! (based on Psalm 22:27-30)
Prayer for Our Nation
Eternal God, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our nation a zeal for justice and the strength of patience and mercy, that we may use our freedom in accordance with your
gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Unity
Holy Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have called us to be united together as your Body
as a witness to a divided world. Remind us that your ways are not our ways. Let those who follow your Son Jesus Christ be a peaceable people in the midst of conflict and division. Send your Spirit of peace, justice and freedom upon us, break down the walls of political partisanship, and make us one; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-14
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Prayer For the Day After Election Day
Almighty God, you rule all the peoples of the earth. Inspire the minds of all women and men to whom you have committed the responsibility of government and leadership in the nations of the world. Give them the vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together. Give to the people of our country zeal for justice and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will. Forgive our shortcomings as a nation;
purify our hearts to see and love the truth. We pray all these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.
- United Methodist Book of Worship #442
