Thank you for participating in today’s day of prayer. Today is a day to center our hearts on God while also praying for our country, leaders, and those impacted by specific policies.
If you’re joining us at the Foundry’s location, take time to settle into a space to quietly pray without distraction. Use this paper to write things down as they come to mind.
If you’re using this prompt from another location, try to find a quiet or calming place where you can be alone for a little bit. Or, talk a walk - creating a walk that allows for contemplation and reflection. Consider playing some reflective music and turning off your notifications for a bit.
Take your time to work through the following prompts.
As we move to consider all that is represented in today’s US Elections…
Take some time to pray
for your heart
Read Psalm 139:23-24
What gratitude can you bring before God today?
What hurts or frustrations do you need to bring to God?
What fears or sad feelings come to mind?
Acknowledge that these are feelings you are bringing into this moment. As you approach this day and all that it means, ask God to help you carry these feelings well as you ask God:
For alignment with God’s heart
For empathy for the things that break God’s heart
For openness to see all people as ones who have been made in the image of God
For compassion for those you disagree with or view as political “enemies”
For direction from God and a willingness to listen to God’s leading
For a focus on God’s Kingdom, not just earthly kingdoms
For humility in my next steps.
For help to reject complacency, fear, despair, and hatred.
Once you've done so - take a few minutes to be still. If you get distracted, come back to the words of the Psalm. If you want to, write down what comes to mind.
Now, let’s take time to pray
for others
What needs in my family or amongst my friends exist right now?
What are the needs that exist in my community?
What are the things happening in the world that concern me?
Take time to bring these things before God. Ask God to bring clarity to these concerns.
As you approach this day and all that it means, ask God to help you carry these feelings well as you ask God:
For specific guidance on how to respond to the troubles in the world and in our city
For help to discern what policies and platforms will bring help and healing to our neighbors, country, and world
For injustice, misinformation, and corruption to be rooted out
For the vulnerable to be protected
For resources to be stewarded properly
For leaders who will take the needs around them more seriously than re-election or clinging to power.
For justice to prevail in the face of injustice
Now, let’s Take time to pray for those who are involved in today’s election.
Lift these names before God, asking God for help in knowing what to pray for each:
For Former President Trump and Vice President Harris
For other national leaders impacted by the US Election
For state leaders, representatives, and senators up for election locally and nationally today
For local mayoral candidates and city/county council members
For election officials protecting the integrity of the election
For poll workers working the election
For journalists & media covering the election
Pray that these prospective candidates and leaders will be guided with wisdom in victory or defeat.
Pray for their families - that they may experience peace and support.
Ask God to influence their decisions for the good of all people.
Pray for protection over them as they navigate challenges in their role.
Pray for them to choose truth over self-preservation and partisan expedience.
Intercede for their character, asking God to develop integrity and compassion within them.
Then, pause to reflect on how praying for them impacts your heart and attitude. Ask God for a discerning spirit to understand the times and know how to respond.
Take some time to pray
for our country
Share with God what you are thankful for:
Share with God what is burdening you in our country:
Then pray for:
For Leaders to emerge who pursue wisdom & model selflessness
For Leaders who are teachable and humble
For Leaders who will commit to working together
For peacemakers to emerge amongst division
For the poor & those who are experience injustice
For those who are vulnerable as a result of current policies.
For those who are vulnerable as a pending policies
For a peace in our election season and electoral transitions.
Lastly, Take time to pray for the American Church to exhibit the following traits in this season
For a spirit peacemaking rather than peace-keeping
To be present amongst the hurting and vulnerable
To cling to and share truth over misinformation
To choose the way of Jesus over the way of Partisanship
To not mistake a love of country for the idol of nationalism.
For both a prophetic (speaking truth to power) and practical voice (meeting needs/being part of creating communities that flourish) in this moment for whoever is in charge.
For a Kingdom vision that’s bigger than the American dream
For a commitment to God’s global movement rather than American politics.
Take time to share with God other concerns on your heart and mind during this day. .