Prayer for our Nation & the Upcoming Election

 “Go and vote. Vote your conscience … informed by what it means to love your neighbor. To participate in the process of seeking the common good. To participate in the process of making this a better world. However you vote, go and vote. And do that as a follower of Jesus.” — Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Intercessor: Loving God, creator of this world who is the source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.
God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: Guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to do work on our behalf and on the behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world so it may reflect the values Christ taught us. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth — communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to everyone’s voice. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: We pray for this nation that is deeply divided. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do — to act with justice, to love all with kindness, and to walk humbly with you through your creation. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: Help us act out of love, mercy and honesty rather than out of arrogance or fear. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: We pray for communities who are struggling with inequality, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Intercessor: Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world. God, our creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.

Priest: O gracious God, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit us, we pray, as we hold our election on Tuesday. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(intercessions by the Rev. Shannon Kelly; Closing Collect adapted from the BCP)