Greetings Eastminster, it has been on my heart to share a prayer with you today (on the eve of our presidential election). I wrote this as a way to encourage myself in the Lord as I prepare to vote tomorrow. I hope and pray that you also will exercise your right to vote tomorrow. And, I hope and pray that this prayer will be an encouragement to you, especially if you are feeling anxious or troubled at this political moment in our country. Please feel free to use this as your own personal prayer and/or share it with others who might need some encouragement and strength.
Peace,
Pastor Aaron
An Election Day Prayer - November 5, 2024
Lord of all creation - the One who brought forth life, gave it order and purpose, and destined it for your good work - we thank you for this new day. It is a day that you have made; therefore we will rejoice and be glad in it, especially since we remember that with each new day comes your new mercies. We give you our thanks and praise for your new mercies and we remember your kindness and compassion. We bring to mind your holy word that tells us time and again that you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. It is so good to wake up and know that you are a good God!
Knowing how good you are helps to steady our thoughts as we think about the presidential election today. So much seems to be riding on this election - the direction of our nation, the manner of care for its people, the relational bonds we share as its citizens - that this moment seems weighty and fraught with potential for conflict. Because of this heaviness, we are stressed and burdened and frightened. We worry that the election may not go the way we want it to go. We fret that others will do bad things if the election doesn’t go according to their wants and desires. In short, we are afraid of what may happen on account of this moment.
But you, Lord, tell us not to be afraid. You tell us not to worry because worrying leads only to evil. Instead, we are to trust in you and entrust ourselves to you. We are to remember that you care for us and that you will never abandon us or forsake us. But you are with us in each and every moment giving to us the power to live according to your ways.
Therefore, we give you our thanks and praise that no matter what unfolds - no matter who comes to power - no matter how the circumstances might change - no matter what others may do - we can always do what you want us to do. We can live according to the ways of your kingdom. Even if life becomes difficult - or others become mean - we can still choose to do that which is right and good. We can be kind. We can build others up. We can act with integrity and faithfulness. We can show mercy. We can act with compassion. We can do that which is just. We can love goodness. We can walk humbly with you. We can love one another. In other words, Lord, no matter what happens today, we can do what you want us to do. There is no change or circumstance or leader who can keep us from being faithful to you in our lives.
And, yet, Lord . . . we still pray for our country, that we would have wisdom to choose our leaders. May you stir us to want the ways that are good and pleasing to you and to know which leader will strive after those things wholeheartedly. Let us select our president by considering the needs of one another instead of acting out of selfish ambition or intentions. Let us humble ourselves and remember that you want us to protect the most vulnerable among us, whom you have always named as the orphan, the widow, the resident alien, and the poor. Give to us a leader who will teach us how to do that work. Give to us a president who will lead us to protect, serve, and build up this nation alongside the many other peoples of this world. And, Lord, may you restrain and thwart anyone who would sow chaos and confusion into this moment so that we can peacefully work with one another in this transition of power.
We give to you our thanks and praise that we can be confident in your goodness on this day of our presidential election on November 5, 2024. May your kingdom come and may your will be done. In the name of the one who was anointed to share the kingdom of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the strength of the Lord’s everlasting love, we pray in his name, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
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