We often talk about God’s sovereignty when it comes to elections and politics. God is in control and He alone will determine the outcome of elections. But just because we know that God is sovereign over our elections doesn’t mean we don’t exercise our responsibility to vote. Why is that? It is because we understand that God is sovereign over both the “end” (the result of the election) as well as the “means” (how the results of the election happen). God has sovereignly placed us in a country where elections are determined by our votes, and so, as you cast your vote, God is working through that means to accomplish His will for our nation.
Similarly, another one of the “means” that God sovereignly employs to accomplish His will is the prayers of His people. In His divine wisdom, He has chosen to work through the faith-filled prayers of His children. And so, as we prepare for the next week’s election, may the Lord find us to be faithful and steadfast in fervent prayer. The following prayer guide is provided as a suggestion for use in your personal devotions, family prayers, and Base Group gatherings leading up to (and in the days following), the election.
Prayers of Thanks
Tell God how grateful you are that your hope doesn’t rest on the outcome of an election but in an empty tomb. (1 Cor 15:19)
Thank God for His sovereignty and that we can trust the outcome of this election to His Providence. (Eph 1:11)
Express thanks to God for the freedoms we enjoy as churches to gather for worship and prayer.
Thank God for the religious liberty that we have in our country. (Gal. 5:1)
Give thanks for the ruling authorities (federal, state, and local) God has placed over us (Rom 13:1-4)
Thank Him that we have the privilege of participating in the decisions of leadership by voting. (1 Thess. 5:18)
Prayers of Confession and Repentance - Pray these prayers of confession and repentance to the degree that they express a personal conviction of the sinful attitudes and actions described.
Confess any anxious thoughts or worries about what the future might hold; these are expressions of a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty (Phil. 4:6-7)
Confess any times (especially during this election cycle) in which you have been slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry (James 1:19-20)
Confess any political idolatry; looking to politics, government, and policies for the hope that should rest on Christ alone (Ps. 20:7)
Repent of any uncharitable thoughts or words spoken against those who hold a different political view than your own. (James 3:8)
Repent of not pursuing unity within the body of Christ. (Eph 4:1-4)
Prayers for Mercy and Blessing
Ask the Lord to give us better leaders, legislators, and judges than we deserve; that they would be men and women of high character, good judgment, and uncommon ability. (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
Pray for the salvation of all our leaders and candidates and for the Lord to remove all selfish ambition (James 3:16)
Pray for a peaceful and orderly election that is marked by integrity and security. (Jer. 29:7)
Pray for the unborn, that God would change the laws of our land that these precious ones would survive and flourish as image-bearers of our Lord. (Ps. 139:13-14)
Pray that God would use this time of uncertainty and chaos to awaken souls to their need for rescue from sin (John 3:16)
Pray against all forms of racism; and for God to bring healing to the racial divide. (Eph 2:14)
Lift up to God the poor, hungry, sick, under-served, and forgotten that He would care for them (James 1:27)
Prayers for the Church – Pray these requests on behalf of NewBranch, but also for the universal church in America.
Pray for a revival of gospel proclamation and Biblical faithfulness in our churches. (2 Tim 4:2)
Pray that the Church’s missional effectiveness would not be diluted by her political engagements (Matt. 28:18-20)
Pray that regardless of the outcome of the election, Christians would respond in faith and trust in God. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Pray for opportunities to share the hope we have in Christ with those who are hopeless after the election. (1 Peter 3:15)
Pray for wisdom for Christians throughout our country as they cast their votes (James 3:17)
Pray for a spirit of humility, unity, and Christlikeness as we interact with those who hold opposing views both inside and outside the church. (Matt. 25:40)
Ask the Lord to prepare the Church for persecution by making her ready to remain faithful and steadfast if He chooses to bring judgment on our country. (Matt 5:11-12)
Written by Ken Rucker