Election Day 2016

I found this liturgy four years ago, and we offered it as a special worship service for Election Day. Then came Election 2016; we need these prayers more than ever.

The psalmist declares: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, so that we might proclaim the mighty acts of the one who called us out of darkness and into the marvelous light!
We are no longer Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God!
We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. 

Prayers From the UM Book of Worship

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the way of peace. Come into the brokenness of our land with your healing love. Help us to be willing to bow before you in true repentance, and to bow to one another in true forgiveness. By the fire of your Holy Spirit, melt our hard hearts and consume the pride and prejudice that separate us. Fill us, O Lord, with your perfect love, which casts out fear, and bind us together in that unity which you share with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Teach us, God of every nation, to see every question in the light of our faith, that we may check in ourselves and in others every passion that makes for war, all ungenerous judgment, all promptings of self-assurance, all presumptuous claims. Grant us insight to recognize the needs and aspirations of other nations, and remove our suspicions and misunderstandings, that we may honor all people in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of all the ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is divided, be near to judge and save. May leaders by led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, reverse our ways and help us to repent. Give us your light and your truth, let them guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.

Scripture Lesson Galatians 3:28

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you today carrying burdens of exhaustion. Take our burdens of partisanship, that we may take on the joy of discipleship.

Before his arrest, Jesus prayed these words: “As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may [my followers] also be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. That glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as you and I are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one.”

Lord, make our nation one, as you are One: Father, Son, Spirit.

Jesus said, “My Father gives you true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then he said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Give us this bread always! We hunger and thirst for righteousness. For justice. For mercy. For hope. For comfort. Heal the woundedness of our nation, and fill us with the nourishment we need to live full, rich lives for your sake.

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