The long campaign is over, nearly all the caustic words have been spoken, and two days from now the nation votes. Democracy is a very demanding and unpredictable form of government. God wants Christians, like all other people, to be as committed and informed citizens as possible, but sometimes that seems like a heavy burden. In order to prepare for our vote, let us turn to God and His prophet Isaiah for guidance and encouragement. Let us, with confidence, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
We thank Thee, O God, that we are citizens of the United States of America. Out of some two hundred alternative nations in the worldin which to be born, most of us were born here, and we acknowledge how fortunate we are for that happenstance of parentage, time, and place. As we go to the polls to cast our ballots in another national election, we ask Thee to guide us in our choices, that they may result in the best possible outcome for our nation, given its situation in the present time. Whoever is elected to any national office, we ask Thee to guide them, but especially we ask that for the person who shall become the President of the United States of America. Without Thee, life can become very difficult, but with Thee it can be very fruitful, if sometimes still very difficult. We pray for the most productive future, not knowing with any certainty what it might be.
We pray for all the people who feel forgotten or overlooked in the American political process: those who have lost jobs and who may never again have employment that pays as well or gives as much satisfaction as their previous employment; those who believe that politics affects them not at all or far too negatively; those who are frustrated by life, and who direct their displeasure on politics and politicians as the source of their persistent uneasiness; those who are so angry at all politicians that they have opted out of the democratic process altogether. Grant peace to those who sense a constant war within, hope to those who have lost it, and renewed confidence in a nation many people feel has let them down.
Forgive each of us for whatever failings we have as citizens. Give to us and to all our fellow citizens a new dedication, that together we shall strive to find common goals and common means to achieve those goals. Help us more diligently to try to understand those with whom we have strong political disagreements. Give increased wisdom to all our elected officials that they may learn how to work more constructively with one another, despite their political differences. Our nation, like all other nations, needs to perceive itself as a servant people seeking to do service in Thy name and for Thy sake. In making us better citizens of our country, may we therefore also become better subjects of Thy kingdom upon earth. These things we ask in Jesus’ name. Now as he taught his original followers, we too join together in our common prayer, saying, Our Father….