Prayer is one of the most important actions during an election, next to voting. A vote made due to worldly concerns, overpowering emotions, or with cold logic that does not seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit is one that risks being a foolish vote. Throughout the Bible there are assurances that God will always guide us if believers turn to Him in prayer and ask for His help. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Prayer is the ultimate connection between God and His people, and when people have important decisions to make, like who to vote for in an election, lifting the decision up to the Lord is a wise starting place. Leading up to the vote, Christians should consider what is best for the country, what agenda best reflects biblical values and prescription for governance, and most importantly, pray that God’s will and His plan would be implemented here on earth.
Here are eight prayers you can use before an election day:
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Hermosa Wave
A Prayer for Election Day
Holy Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to have a voice in the way my government runs. I praise you for the vote that I have. During this time of debate, diffusion, and decision-making, please have Your sovereign hand over this country. Please keep our country healthy during this season. Give us the peace that passes understanding about the vote, and the outcome. You Word says that You change the times and the seasons, so You are in control of this phase in our nation’s history. I ask for the season to not be volatile, and that our nation would see You in it.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for the Candidates
Holy Father,
Thank you for democracy, and for the opportunity to pick our leaders on a rotating basis. Lord, I ask that you would be with all the candidates who are running for office. Please keep them physically healthy and strong, and focused on the task before them. Turn their hearts toward you, O Lord. May they fear and revere You above all else. Help them to present their agendas clearly and honestly. Be with their vice-presidential picks as well, that they may be of help. I ask that the vice-presidential candidates’ hearts and minds be open to You as well. In the Bible, You tell us that to be a leader, he or she must also be a servant; please instill a spirit of servanthood in both candidates in all their future endeavors, whether they win this election or not. Protect the candidates, and may they be obedient to Your will.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Element5 Digital
A Prayer for Wisdom before Voting
Holy Father,
Thank you for being the source of all wisdom, and for being willing to impart that wisdom to Your people. During this time of national decision-making please grant the citizens of this country wisdom to vote for the best candidate with the right agenda for the next four years. Grant us the discernment to detect any falsehoods, or unbiblical policy proposals. Show us Your will in this election. Do not let our wisdom be clouded by earthly considerations, misunderstandings, or misguided desires to shape the future to our will rather than Your own. The Book of James tells us that we can know Your wisdom because it is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Help us to recognize that wisdom and exercise it in our vote.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Grace if Your Candidate Loses
Gracious Father,
Thank you for Your sovereign will. Thank you for knowing the beginning from the end, and ultimately, thank you for helping us remember that You are in control of the results of the election. Please allow those who vote for the victor to be magnanimous in victory, and those who did not to be gracious in defeat. Please prevent the hardening of hearts, especially between believers. Help those who voted for the candidate who loses to accept what it says in Your Word in the Book of Daniel, that You change the times and the seasons, and that You remove kings and set up kings. Help us to remember that ultimately, nothing is out of Your control. Your plan is greater than those of man. Allow love to grow, rather than resentment. Help those whose candidate does not win take comfort in knowing You are always on the throne.
In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Motortion
A Prayer for the Candidates’ Families
Father in heaven,
Thank you for families who are willing to make sacrifices to be a part of government, and to support those who obey the call to participate in democratic government. Please give them the strength to endure criticism and scrutiny. Help them feel your presence and comfort during hard times, and help them endure the difficulties that come with being a public figure. Give them wisdom and let them provide good counsel when it is needed. Keep the families together, and let them love one another no matter the outcome of the election. May Your Word be a lamp unto their feet, and a light to their paths.
In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Election Anxiety
Our Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being with us and for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to guide us. Lord, right now it feels like there is so much at stake, and there is a lot of anxiety about the upcoming election. People are worried. Your Word says to be anxious for nothing, but in everything to come to You; I ask that you provide peace and comfort to the worried hearts of this country right now. Relieve their anxiety by helping them to focus on You and your will. Help those who feel anxious to instead feel Your presence. Please diffuse the spirit of anxiety across the nation, bringing understanding between all people. Reign over us, O Lord, instead of fear.
In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Jude Beck
A Prayer for Our Nation
Holy Father,
Thank you for choosing to put me in this country, at this time, and for Your purposes. Please be with this country during this time of decision. Bless it and keep it strong. Help us to remember the things we have in common, and not just our differences. Let there be revival in our country, bringing us closer to You and to each other. As King David wrote, the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed. Please be the Lord over this nation above all else. Protect our people, guide our steps, and strengthen us through this season.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Focus on the Eternal Kingdom
Holy Father,
Thank you for preparing a place for Your people to be with You forever. Lord, while we are on this earth, we participate in earthly systems of government, and it is important to do so with integrity. However, Your Word says that we are citizens of Your Kingdom first and foremost. Help us to remember the results of this election are only important for a brief moment in time, but the more important work is to be done for the eternal kingdom. Show us people who do not know You as their Savior so we can share the Gospel. Grow love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they vote for a different party in this election, because we will spend eternity worshipping You, and this election only matters during this earthly existence. Keep our eyes on You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Being a good citizen in this life is a part of the Christian life; even Jesus Christ obeyed the law of the land during His earthly ministry. However, Christians are not truly citizens of this world, but are just passing through to an eternal home. “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Even though voting with prayerful consideration is important, it is even more essential for the Christian to focus on God’s kingdom, as that will be their home forever.
Use these prayers as a way to turn election season from one of conflict, anxiety, and fear to one of growing closer to God, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ better, and focusing on voting as the Spirit leads, rather than by earthly concerns.
Photo credit: Unsplash/John Silliman