This Election Day Prayer was posted at Street Prophets:
Gracious God,
This morning we lift up to you in prayer our nation.
We are a divided people facing difficult elections.
Help us to discern your will for the world.
Be with all those today who have offered themselves as leaders.This morning we lift up to you in prayer the causes our people must address.
We have war, and hunger, and environmental crises.
These are difficult days for the world.
Be with us as we cast our votes.This morning we lift up to you in prayer the homeless in our midst.
The “least of these” have been left behind in America.
Help us to do better.
Be with those today who have no home.This morning we lift up to you in prayer the Iraqi people.
Their blood stains us all.
Let justice roll down.
Be with those that suffer from war.This morning we lift up to you in prayer our American soldiers.
Too many of them have died.
Help us find a way to bring them home.
Be with those that serve with honor.This morning we lift up to you in prayer those without health care.
We give too little in a world of plenty.
Let us learn from Jesus what it means to be healers.
Be with those who are sick.This morning we lift up to you in prayer the prophets in our midst.
We give thanks for voices in a world of darkness that bring light.
Let us have the courage to be more like them.
Be with those who work to build up the Kingdom.Oh God, your people cry out to you this day.
We want to be a people of reconciliation and justice.
We want to bring an end to needless suffering.
Be with us all this election as we make difficult decisions.We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Mary, I’m sorry I didn’t have any election day advice. To be honest, I’m still trying to figure out who I’m going to vote for based on all my morals and convictions, which include abortion and gay marriage, but are not limited to those two wedge issues. (It also doesn’t help that finding non-partisan, independent sources for the candidates and what they stand for is next to impossible in Chicago and Illinois, but we have lots of propaganda.).I’m also concerned with all the cutbacks in social services as well as other social justice issues. I am very concerned with public education and how the Bush administration has sent us back to the Dark Ages with the No Child Left Behind Act. I cannot morally or ethically agree with either the Republican or Democratic parties. It would be so nice to have a viable third option.
Beautiful prayer Shawna! You sound like me in that we’re tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. As far as social programs and education, I wonder how much good the church in America could do if we took all the money being spent on politics and put that money into schools with the focus on high quality academics and values training. What would happen if the church put money into quality health care for everyone. What if we took care of our seniors as they deserve. If the church were actually doing Christ’s work than I suspect people would be more inclined to vote on the issues as Christ would have us.
That is such a wonderful prayer. Thank you for sharing it with us! I, too, was torn over how I should vote based on my personal values surrounding abortion. I know how you feel.
A beautiful prayer. Thank you for posting in and for your thoughts on the complexity of this election. And thank you for the welcome you offered on my new blog. Peace to you.
Thanks for the prayer. And thanks for the comment on my new blog. I look forward to getting together soon. Let’s see if we can arrange something…