In every presidential election season, emotions run high. Unfortunately, the biggest emotion is not usually hope, but fear and anxiety because each side is wondering what happens if the other candidate wins.
After the results of any election, the emotions don’t suddenly tamp down, they still run high and probably more so in this divided political climate we now live in. If your candidate won this past election, then you probably feel excitement and optimism. However, if your candidate did not win, then you are probably feeling despair and pessimism. While those feelings are real and valid, as followers of Christ we can’t live in those feelings; our hope goes beyond who is in the White House.
We must also recognize that Washington, D.C. cannot solve the biggest problem in our nation, which is a sin problem. This applies to both democrats and republicans. The sin problem is at the root of every issue we face in our nation, and there is no politician on earth that can fix that, because that is not their job. That responsibility belongs to the followers of Christ.
As we move past the election and now enter the post-election season, our country still needs prayer. I want to share with you some prayers for peace to reign in our nation now that we are past this election.
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1. A Prayer for Unity in the Church
I wish in this election process that at least the church was unified, but we are not. We have swallowed the same fears and anxieties that those who don’t know Christ have. This has caused infighting and division in our churches. Just the fact that you can’t have a conversation about issues with someone who may see it differently is proof enough. We are not leading the way, and this must stop.
Lord,
As your people, you have called us to be one. In one of your last prayers before you left the earth, you prayed that all who would believe because of the disciples' message would be one as you and the Father are one. Sadly, your church is far away from that. I pray you would tear down these very divisive political walls in your church and allow people to see how they are distracting us from the mission you have called us to. Turn our hope for the nation beyond Washington and cause us to look to you.
Lord, when you prayed “let us be one,” this did not mean we would be uniform in how we think, but that we would be united in how we love each other. So help us to display patience, kindness, humility, perseverance, forgiveness, and endurance with each other. These are some of the attributes that define love, and when we love this way, the world will know that we are your disciples.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
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2. A Prayer for Peace in Our Nation
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19).
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
As I write these words, I wonder how many people actually want peace in our nation. If peace is only possible if your candidate or party wins, then sadly you really don’t care about peace. For peace to occur in our nation, there must first be peace in our hearts. If that doesn’t occur, then there will never be peace in our nation.
Lord,
I lift up our broken, divided nation to you. Most of the drivers of this brokenness are fueled by the unrest in the hearts and souls of people who have turned their eyes away from you. I pray that there would be a revival in your church, with people looking to you and recommitting to declaring the gospel, which is the only hope for peace in our country. For those who are stirring discord, bring conviction and change because you hate those who stir up conflict in the community. I pray also that the followers of Christ would lead the way and show the world that peace among each other is possible, but will only come through the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ.
In his name we pray,
Amen.
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3. A Prayer for Those Who Will Now Serve as Leaders of Our Country
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Regardless of how you feel about the election, we have an obligation to pray for our political leaders. This instruction supersedes what you think about who is in office. There is one truth that remains: if we don’t pray, who will?
Lord,
I pray for those who have been voted in to lead our nation. Regardless of which side of the political aisle they fall on, they need your wisdom to lead. I pray that our political leaders would work together to solve the challenges of our nation and not just live in their party silos. Let those who are leading recognize their job is not just to lead but to serve. Let them care about the interests of the people they represent more than just the party they represent. Give them the courage to stand for what is right, even when they must go against their own party’s interest. Let their hearts and minds turn towards what is best for our country, not just what is best for their own political future. I pray they would do the right thing regardless of the cost associated with it.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.
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4. A Prayer for Those Who Are Angry or Disappointed
With the outcome of the election, there will be those who are angry or disappointed with the results. That anger and disappointment, if not dealt with properly, can have devastating and lasting effects – as we saw after the 2020 election.
Lord,
There will be those who are angry and disappointed over the results of the election. God, your word declares we should be quick to listen and slow to speak or become angry (James 1:19). I pray first for those who know you, that these emotions would not overcome us. Let our eyes turn back to you because you are our only hope. For those who don’t know you, soften their hearts or turn their circumstances in such a way that they would look for you. For those who would feed into people’s anger and disappointment for their own gain, silence those voices. As you have also said, human anger does not produce the righteousness you desire (James 1:20). Also, for those who have voices and platforms of influence, let them use their influence to help stem the tide of division in our country and not fan it more into flame.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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5. A Prayer for Our Nation
The last thing I want to do is just pray for our nation. When you look past the political divide, there are many other issues that plague our nation. Unless we come together with some civility to look for solutions, these things won’t get better, but progressively worse. That is why we need to pray.
Lord,
I pray for this nation. I lift up all the issues and frustrations that affect the citizens of our country. I pray you would give us the ability to listen to each other and hear the concerns that we all have. Let sensibility, genuine compassion, and empathy rise in the hearts of people in our country. Remind us we are one nation, made up of people from all different nationalities and backgrounds, which is the beauty of our country. Help us realize that loving our country is not about flying a flag but loving our neighbor as ourselves. As you taught us, everyone is our neighbor, which means we are to love everyone as ourselves. That is an enormous responsibility and I pray your people would lead the way in doing that.
Finally, I pray for your people, because we are the ones who can lead the greatest transformation in our nation. We carry in our hearts the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let this message go beyond our hearts and flow into our actions and our speech. Help us not to get sucked into the temporary nature of elections and focus on the eternal things of your kingdom. Help us represent you well so that we would bring joy to your heart as your children.
We ask all of these things in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
As we think about post-election peace, a lot of that depends on us. We are the ones who have been born again, and we are the ones who have the Spirit of God living in us. This means we need to be the ones leading the charge on post-election peace. Again, if we don’t do this, then who will? Regardless of who is in office, our mission does not change. I pray that would always be at the center of everything we do.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Luke Stackpoole
Originally published Tuesday, 05 November 2024.
