Dear God,
I pray to you for my beloved country. Today, I will get to
live out the freedom with which I have been gifted as I cast my ballot. Grant
me wisdom and discernment, so that my choices may reflect your call to do
justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.
May my vote ennoble my community, and may it help bring into reality my
prayers for peace on earth.
I thank you, O God, for those persons who have offered
themselves in public service. I am humbled by their willingness to serve, even
at great personal cost, so that they might be in a position to make tough
decisions on my behalf. Protect and uphold these persons, even the ones for
whom I do not vote.
Forgive me for the times I have judged someone harshly
simply for holding political opinions which differ from mine. May I treat persons
of other political stripes the same way that I would have them treat me. Give
me a patient persistence as I wait in line to vote today, coupled with the
vision to see your image reflected in the poll workers and the people standing
in line around me. Transform my natural impatience so that I may be a joyful
and peaceful presence to others as I wait for the privilege of casting my
ballot.
When the election results are known this night, allow me a
generous grace when the causes and candidates I support are victorious. Strengthen
within me an enduring hope when my causes and candidates fail.
At the end of this day, just as at the beginning of this
day, you alone are God. Your steadfast love for all of creation, including this
creature, persists. Grant me an abiding trust in your love that will allow me
to sleep peacefully tonight. And in the light of tomorrow’s new day, give me
grace to pray once again for my beloved country in which I am blessed to dwell.
Amen.
