Praying in an Election Season

The 1979 U.S. Book of Common Prayer has this collect “For the Nation”:

Lord, God Almighty,
you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory,
to serve you in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country
a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance,
that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For readers in the U.S., how are you praying during this election season?

Pray Tell will be offering a variety of prayers for the nation and for the election in coming weeks. You are invited to submit your thoughts, your suggestions, and your prayer texts.

Editor

Katharine E. Harmon, Ph.D., edits the blog, Pray Tell: Worship, Wit & Wisdom.

Please leave a reply.

Comments

4 responses to “Praying in an Election Season”

  1. Paul Goings

    At S. Clement’s, Philadelphia (Episcopal) on the evening before the 2016 General Election we exposed the Blessed Sacrament, sang the Seven Penitential Psalms and the Litany of the Saints, and concluded with Benediction. Hopefully we’ll do the same again this year, depending on what can be managed given the ongoing plague.

    Reply
  2. Lee F Bacchi

    We Catholics have prayers in the Roman Missal in the Various Occasions section for country, state, President, Congress, but nothing for the Supreme Court.

    Reply
  3. Devin Rice

    As part of my daily intercession based on a Byzantine Rite text:

    “Save O Lord, and have mercy on all civil authorities throughout the earth, whether in positions high or low. Help them all to do what is just and right in your sight. Speak peace and blessing in their hearts for your Church and her welfare and the welfare of all your people. Especially remember our President, the Congress, Supreme Court, our Governor and State Legislature and in all authority over us.”

    But during this Presidency and this pandemic election year, I have also been tempted to pray this prayer from Monty Python.

    O Lord, please don’t burn us,
    Don’t grill us or toast your flock,
    Don’t put us on a barbecue,
    Or simmer us in stock,
    Don’t braise or bake or boil us,
    Or stir-fry us in a wok.
    Oh please don’t lightly poach us,
    Or baste us with hot fat,
    Don’t fricassee or roast us,
    Or boil us in a vat,
    And please don’t stick thy servants, Lord,
    In a Rotissomat.

    Reply
    1. Lou Meiman

      Yes!!!!! And undoubtedly paired with their wonderful hymn “All Things Dull and Ugly.”

      Reply

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