4 Prayers to Carry You Through Election Season Anxiety
- Cindi McMenamin Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Aug 14, 2023
Election season can tie us up in knots, leaving us anxious, or even fearful, about the future. Yet God’s Word tells us God is sovereign—even over elections, because “exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7 NKJV).
I’ve lived through enough presidential elections to experience surprise and relief (as the results swung in the opposite direction of the polls), and the sinking feeling of despair (when I believed the election went into the wrong hands). I also understand the frustration of not knowing who to vote for and the anger at having to vote for “the lesser of two evils” because “we couldn’t get anyone better than this to run for the highest leadership role in this country?” Yet, the world is still here. The country still stands. The economy bounces back. And God is still on the throne.
While we are to be responsible citizens of this country and exercise our right to a democratic vote, we also must keep in mind our God is sovereign. Nothing happens during election season that takes Him by surprise. No one sits on Capitol Hill without His ultimate permission. And therefore, we can pray to Him for the peace He wants to guard our hearts with as we maintain our hope in Him, not in who is elected or re-elected, and as we depend fully on the God of heaven, not in who lives in the White House or gains seats in the Senate or Congress.
Here are four prayers to carry you through election season anxiety—before, during, and after.
1. A Pre-Election Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment
Lord, as election season approaches, please give me Your wisdom to discern the truth about the candidates, their political rhetoric, and the key issues. May the issues that break Your heart break my heart and result in how I vote this Fall. Help me not to get frustrated or fearful when I sense a disturbing platform, hear outright lies, or witness boastful arrogance and sinful human pride. May no unwholesome word proceed out of my mouth during times when I want to vent my feelings. Rather, give me a spirit of discernment and self-control so that I choose my words wisely and that they build others up according to the need of the moment (Ephesians 4:29). Help me to be as Peter and John who declared, “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 NASB), when it comes to issues where truth must be declared. And yet, may my speech and behavior be seasoned with love, maturity, and evidence of my ultimate hope and faith in You.
Help me to weigh what I hear against Your Word, and when despair starts to creep in, help me to remember this world is not my home; I am here temporarily to be refined and molded into the image of Christ. May election season be a time of refining my heart, filtering my words, and refocusing my priorities on You and my eternal home. Give me not a complacent or uninvolved perspective, neither let me live, move, and breathe American politics to the point that I’ve lost perspective on Your Kingdom, Your character, and Your ultimate will. I cannot usher Your kingdom to earth, but I can glorify You in how I maintain a heart that is right, vote my convictions, and watch whom You will ultimately raise up or bring down.
Lord, as I express my views, which are prayerfully Your views, may I be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove (Matthew 10:16). May I be loving but firm, and may I not be the one in the room who always has to be right. Calm my emotions as I talk with others, watch the news, or read what is going on in this world that is so in need of a Savior. Remind me that You are still on the throne no matter who makes it to D.C. Remind me that no one has authority, but what has been given to them by You (John 19:11). And may I rest in what You allow for Your greater purposes. In Jesus’ name, I pray this. Amen.
2. A Prayer for God’s Will on Election Morning:
Lord, as I go to the polls, or vote my convictions ahead of time, help me to vote responsibly, in line with the convictions You have placed upon my heart and the values that are clear in Your Word. Lord, I ask that You raise up a humble leader, one who will do Your will. I also recognize You will allow what You will for Your greater purposes. Lord, do what it takes to make me, and my brothers and sisters in Christ across this country, more dependent upon You, not in human leaders.
Heavenly Father, help me to maintain a calm, quiet heart, prayerful for Your will to be done as You bring us to the next step in history for Your ultimate glory. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that nothing happens outside Your knowledge or sovereign control. May I be an encouragement to others today, displaying a heart of peace and hope in You alone. And as I wait for the results to come in, help me to have a heart at rest that is fully convinced You are still on the throne, no matter whom you allow on Capitol Hill.
3. A Prayer for Peace (and Sleep) on Election Night
Lord, as my head hits the pillow tonight, help me to sleep soundly in the arms of my Savior, fully convinced that my future—and the future of this country’s democracy, economy, and moral structure—is not at the whim of the voters, but is in Your mighty hands. Help me to trust You and what You sovereignly allow, knowing You do not judge nations, but individual hearts, and You always take care of Your own who keep their trust in You. Lord, this country and its future is outside my control, but never outside of Yours. Help me to trust You with what I cannot see and to be firm in my faith during a shaky, unstable time in this country. May others draw peace from me no matter what the day—and this nation—looks like in the morning. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
4. A Post–Election Prayer for God’s Glory
Lord, I thank You that even in the midst of uncertainty or disunity, You are still on the throne, and You bring peace to hearts. Unite your followers in this country so others may see You and the peace that is only possible through a relationship with You. Help me to remember that no one gets into office and holds authority without ultimately receiving it from You. Help me to be submissive to my leaders as unto You, and as far as it depends on me, help me to live at peace among all people (Romans 12:18). Where there is anxiety, let me bring peace. Where there is disunity, let me sow harmony. Where there is resentment, let me exhibit love. Guard me from putting my faith in human leaders or resenting or rebelling against whomever You allow to be in office. May my prayer echo that of the psalmist:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps [His beloved]
will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4 ESV).
Lord, thank You that I can experience victory after election day, regardless of whether or not my candidate won, because my victory is in You. Thank You for already winning the greatest battle there was, and thank You for sovereignly working all things—even national elections—for Your good and ultimately for Your glory. I pray this in the name of Jesus, sovereign Lord of the Universe. Amen.
For a stronger faith in the One who is ultimately in control of your life and circumstances, see Cindi’s books, When God Sees Your Tears, and Women on the Edge.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tetra Images
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for God’s Help
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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