An Election Day Prayer

Father of Providence,

Your all-sovereign hand is on the affairs of men.
Every breath of our lungs,
every contraction of our hearts,
every impulse of our will,
is as a stream of water in your hands. 

You alone are God. And Christ your Son is Lord.
Leaders of men rise and fall,
     but you are unchanging, unfailing, eternal;
     and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
     and today,
     and forever.

We know not the length of our days;
     nor their quality,
     but you know all things.
So we humble ourselves before your wisdom
to confess anew our dependence on you.
When we are uncertain,
               give us confidence in your immutability
When we are afraid,
               give us confidence in your power.
When we are tempted by pride to rejoice in human victory
               bring us low, to know that our might is feeble,
               our wisdom is folly,
               our power utter weakness.

We recognize that all who are in positions of power
are there by your providence and appointment.
Cause them to see their station as one to be stewarded
               for justice and the good of all men,
               by the help of your wisdom,
               to the praise of your name only.
Judge justly all those who squander this power.
Guard the lives of all who lead
from the wicked intentions of evil men.
By your Spirit, convict all men of sin and righteousness
and lead them to the truth,
               to light,
               to life in Christ,
               and to salvation. 

Remind us each that apart from your grace,
               we stand condemned for sins,
               under your wrath,
               lost and without hope.

And refresh our souls to know that by your grace,
               we stand justified,
               changed by mercy,
               adopted as sons and daughters,
               by faith in Jesus only. 

Insofar as you will, O God,
let your people live peaceful and quiet lives
for the sake of your name
and the spread of the gospel.

Give us to loving our enemies,
               to praying for our persecutors,
               to caring for our neighbors,
               to adoring you above all others. 

We deserve nothing from your hand, O God,
but you have taught us to ask you for our needs.
We need your mercy.
We need your wisdom.
We need your aid.
Lord, give in overflowing measure
               all this which will lead to your exaltation.              

The world is the Lord’s
               and everything in it.
Thus, we give our lives back in worship
               to You, our Source and our King,
               by the name of Jesus. 

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory
               are Yours;
               forever and ever.
Let this truth never escape our minds.
Let this truth ever shape our souls. 

O, Sovereign King, we are yours,
               by grace alone,
               through faith alone,
               in Jesus the Son alone,
               all for your glory alone. 

O, do Lord, hear our request,
               and answer with the riches of our glory.

 AMEN.