Prayers for Election Day

O God, you are our source of hope and love. Before a word is on our lips, you know what it will be. You know that this morning in the USA, some of us are anxious and afraid; some of us are hopeful and energized; some of us are apathetic; some of us are disenfranchised, some of us are grappling with issues that are more pressing and immediate than focusing on who will win which election. You also know that your children are crying out to you in pain and suffering from around the world. You know all too well that the money spent on campaigns could have been used to alleviate suffering, and yet you still trust us to use your resources wisely and well.

Be with those who will concede and those who will celebrate victories, those who feel overwhelmed, those who will go without basic necessities today, those who are doing everything that they can to survive, and those who are trying to help others survive. Help us be open to your presence and your leading. Stretch our hearts and minds beyond self-interest and political party affiliation. Remind us that you call us to love others as ourselves. Make us instruments of your peace, love, justice, and compassion. 

We ask these things in the name of the One who did not consider equality with you something to be grasped, but who emptied himself on our behalf. 

Amen. 

—Rev. Harriet Bryan, Pastor at Madison Street UMC (Clarksville, TN)

Jesus who stands with the brokenhearted, the wholehearted, with those of us who wait in eager and hopeful anticipation for what is right, what is just, what is true, we pray to you this day.

Hold our hearts, hold our fears, hold our expectations, hold our deepest longings and biggest dreams. 

Hold them and release them into the Universe so they may dance their way into the hearts of those who show up to VOTE.

Help us trust, not in officials, not in elections, not in results, not in rulings, but in you, Jesus, who stands with the brokenhearted, the wholehearted, with those of us who wait. 

Amen. 

—Claire K. McKeever-Burgett, Associate Director of The Academy for Spiritual Formation, The Upper Room (Nashville, TN)