Weekends United in Prayer for a Free, Fair, and Safe Election

On the weekends before and after the Nov. 3 election, congregations across the country and spanning denominations and faith traditions will be uniting in a commitment to pray for a free, fair, safe, and peaceful election during their weekend services. This shared call and commitment to fervent prayer is timed to take place in the final preparations to Election Day and through what will likely be a tumultuous election week of counting votes, honoring results, and a peaceful process for the continuation or transition of power based on those results. This effort was inspired in part by the ways in which the faith community came together in concerted prayer in the lead up to the historic 1994 election in South Africa.

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Prayer for the Weekend Before Election 2020

Gracious God, our holy and life-giving Spirit, as we approach Election Day 2020, and the close of this election season, we pray that you would move upon every human heart of this nation to remove barriers that divide us, that walls of separation and suspicions may disappear, and all hatred and prejudice, which blocks us from the light of your love, would cease.

O God, we confess that this election season in our history has not brought out the best in so many of us. Forgive us when we were less than truthful with one another, and forgive us when we were less than loving toward our neighbors.

O loving God, we pray for your healing hand upon our divisions, such that we may seek your peace and reconciliation that is tied to a greater commitment to justice and truth. We pray against every evil spirit and force that would seek to intimidate and suppress voters or instigate violence against any citizen seeking to exercise their precious and sacred right to vote.

We pray that your hedge of protection will cover every poll worker, every election official, and every voter.

Help our elected leaders, O God, to promote love, and not fear, to act out of mercy, and not malice, to work for justice, rather than partiality and privilege. Help us all, Lord, to truly walk alongside and show care and solidarity to our neighbors through our vote in this season.

Almighty God, guide us as a country to guard the rights of one another, to protect the integrity of the election, and to fulfill your purposes for our lives, as we truly strive "to form a more perfect union”; and to together build a more radically just and loving nation.

Through Jesus Christ, our loving Lord and reigning Redeemer.

Amen.

Litany for the 2020 Election

Adapted from a prayer litany prepared by Rev. Shannon Kelly, Missioner for Young Adult and Campus Ministries, Episcopal Church

Leader: Almighty 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 shapes these important choices.
People: God, our Creator, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: Loving God, we give thanks for the precious right to vote. Help us to hold this right and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.
People: God of love, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: Gracious God, guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to represent us and our communities well. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better advance justice and the common good in our community, nation and world so it may reflect the values and priorities Christ taught us.
People: God of grace, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: Merciful God, protect us as we exercise our right to vote. Help us to co-create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth – communities that will center and protect the most vulnerable neighbors among us and to listen and act on the experiences of the oppressed.
People: God of mercy, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: Healing God, 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 justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You through creation.
People: God, our Healer, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: Holy God, help us act out of love, mercy and justice rather than out of arrogance, hate, or fear.
People: God of purity, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: All-seeing God, 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.
People: Omnipresent, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: All-knowing God, we pray for communities who are struggling with inequity, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation and justice with one another and with God.
People: Omniscient God, guide us in truth and love.

Leader: All-powerful God, 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.

All: Omnipotent God, guide us in truth and love.