Prayer for Our Political Community

by Stephanie Summers

Merciful Father, you are holy. Thank you that in your holiness you welcome our prayers. You invite us to pray for your kingdom to come. May it come, Lord.

It is your will that we do so—here and now. Give us the wisdom and courage to do so, Lord.

Forgive us for the ways we have put the idol of politics into the place that is rightfully yours. Forgive us for the ways we have disdained politics, which you created to be revelatory of your just kingdom. Forgive us for our prayerlessness for government officials and our mockery of those who you created to bear your image.

Protect us, Lord, from despair, when we survey the as-is of our political community. And deliver us from evil. We ask you to restrain violence and discord and renew the health of our nation.

We offer thanksgiving for our fellow citizens who have and continue to work to ensure elections are free and fair. Thank you for their labor and for the gift of peace and security.

Let the hearts of all those in our political community who seek to confuse, harm, or intimidate be turned instead to you. We ask that their lives would be changed by your powerful love, which overcomes all love of falsehood and divisions.

And be with our fellow citizens – those who have won and those who have lost their races. Bind up the sorrows of those who ran valiant races and yet did not prevail. Bless the victorious with wisdom to bring to their office a durable peace that includes former opponents. 

Turn our hearts towards one another in your love, Lord, in the days to come. 

Thank you for hearing our prayers. Amen.