This year marks another monumental time for our nation. It’s election year. Between 24/7 political news coverage, not-so-great debates, and the sheer division among and amidst parties, most Americans are still reeling and recovering from the last presidential election. Yet, amid the political frenzy, it’s hard not to get emotionally wrapped up and invested in this contentious decision. After all, our nation currently hangs in the balance, and everyone is sensing the tension. There is a lot at stake! So, as this year’s presidential election draws in, just how do we respond?
In Romans 13:1-2, Paul is very clear about us submitting to our government authorities as they are ultimately established by God. Every leader, whether they are seen as good or evil, is part of God’s plan and purpose for our nation. We must prepare our hearts now and pray fervently and daily as we head into another crucial and colossal time for our nation. Invite God into every concern, frustration, confusion, and emotional trigger. Ask Him to guard our hearts and minds against the sway of the enemy so that we can think clearly and gain clarity during the next few months leading up to November 5th.
We must trust God with the future of this great nation while being in a constant state of prayer so that He will lead and direct us. Let’s pray!
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1. A Prayer for God's Sovereign Hand
"For in him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together." - Colossians 1:16-17
Lord, Creator of life, Almighty and Majestic God, how are we to even begin to fathom the great works of Your hand? For You are holy, perfect, precious, and pure. Your creation was meant to be enjoyed and delighted in, yet our sin corroded Your perfect plan. Please have mercy on us. Because of our sinful flesh, we still live in a world covered in a cloak of darkness. Yet, you offer us a pathway to hope, and for that, we praise Your holy name! We are so thankful for Your grace upon grace that covers a multitude of sins. Lord, we now humbly come before You and ask for Your continued favor and sovereign hand over our beloved nation. We desperately need You. We need Your light, Your hope, Your guidance, and wisdom. Please flood our nation with Your rich goodness and become evident in this land of prosperity once again. We ask for Your continued grace and mercy. Amen.
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2. A Prayer for the Presidential Candidates
"Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." - 1 Peter 2:17
Lord, we are thankful to be living in a country where the citizens have a voice and can cast a vote for their political leaders. This concept of democracy was not specifically mentioned in Biblical times, so please help us see this as a huge honor and civic duty. With respect to that, we pray for all the political candidates who are running for various positions and ask that You put a hedge of protection around them. Guard their hearts and minds and help them look to You for wisdom and guidance. We also specifically lift up the two presidential candidates and ask that You protect each of them, and their families. We ask that You help them live in peace with one another while demonstrating dignity, poise, and grace. Please give them desires in their heart that line up with Your will and Your way as they carry out their responsibilities and honor our nation and its people. Give them a passion and love for this country that wants to unite the people and make it a true nation that obeys You, O God. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
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3. A Prayer for Unity Among All Parties
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." - Romans 14:19
Lord, You are a God of love and peace, and we don’t deserve Your endless supply of mercy and grace. So, we humbly ask, as we head into another election year, that You strip away any judgments or temptations that may rise up within us and replace them with Your righteous truth. Give us an eagerness to pray for our leaders, this nation, and the church body to follow You. Allow this time to be a beautiful opportunity to spread Your gospel of love. Help us be bold in our faith and use it as a springboard to promote peace and evangelize to those who need hope while seeking to restore the religious liberties of our precious land. Let us be the activators of unity. Please show us how and where we can be of service to You, O God. Amen.
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4. A Prayer to Soften Hearts and Open Minds
"They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts." - Ephesians 4:18
Lord, we know that this can be a rather tense time for our country. But we also can rest assured that You are ultimately in control, and Your faithfulness will never leave or fail us. We need to cling to that promise as we delve deeper into this election cycle. As “we the people” may become divided based on our views and who we choose to vote for, we know the enemy will use this as a means to cause strife and division. Oh Lord, how we need You! We ask that Your love be our guide so we do not become consumed by fear, judgment, anger, or even hatred. We ask that You stir within us and soften our hearts so we can approach others with kindness and a gentle spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to be alive within us so we can have an open mind to how others are feeling and represent Your love through our words and deeds. Please help us be promoters of peace. Amen.
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5. A Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment
" If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5
Lord, we praise You for all that You are. You are faithful and true, holy and just, righteous and good, compassionate and sovereign. O God, we are so very thankful that You are God, and we are not. For where man fails, Your mercy, love, and grace never do. That gives us so much hope. With that hope, we come before You now, seeking Your infinite wisdom. We need discernment as we must vote for someone to lead our nation. Please help us fight the urge to place our faith in a human leader, remembering that they have limitations, as we ultimately want to trust You with the end results. So, we pray that You lift the veil from our eyes and help us see these candidates the way in which You see them. Give us peace, wisdom, and discernment as we enter the polling station and cast our ballot. We trust You, God. Amen.
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6. A Prayer for Your Heart
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10
Lord, I pray for the brother or sister reading this right now. These uncertain times, with a looming election, can stroke so much fear and can be rather unsettling. So, I lift them up to You and pray for their heart. Lord, You remind us that You will always go before us and that You will sustain us. You declare that You will give us hope and have a plan for our future. You continue to bless us and repeatedly remind us in Your Word that Your love never fails. Our gracious God, may we pledge our allegiance to You! May our hearts earnestly and humbly surrender all our concerns, fears, frustrations, and temptations during this election process over to You. For we know that Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light, and we are ever so very thankful that we can bring it all to You and lay it at Your feet. Lord, the roar of the election may be loud, but please help us to walk with dignity, speak with truth and grace, and seek Your justice with a righteous heart over these next few months. We pray earnestly for our precious nation and ask for Your favor and blessings on Your people. We ask all this in Your holy name. Amen.
Sweet brothers and sisters, may we continue to pray for our nation and that God be our safe refuge and main source of strength during these times. God Bless America!
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Originally published Friday, 08 March 2024.