Bethany Bullet - November 5, 2012

On your way to the polls - here are some prayers…

#1

Lord God, as the election approaches,
we pray you move us to know anew how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they seek to guide us in ways of justice and peace.

We not only vote for individuals but for ideas and actions as well. Make us mindful that we are called to live lives of sacrifice and truth and therefore help us to act in the secrecy of the booth as you’ve called us to live openly in the world as lights shining on a hill.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

#2

O God, we acknowledge You today as Lord,
Not only of individuals, but of nations & governments. We thank You for the privilege 

Of being able to organize ourselves politically
And of knowing that political loyalty
Does not have to mean disloyalty to You.

We thank You for Your law,
Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged
And recognized as higher than any human law.
We thank You for the opportunity that this election year
puts before us,
To exercise our responsibility and privilege to vote.

Lord remind each and every one of your children as they vote that the same hands lifted up to You in prayer,
Are the hands that “pull the lever” in the booth;
That the same eyes that read Your Word
Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot,
And that we do not cease to be Christians
When they enter the voting booth nor more than we cease to be citizens when we enter a sanctuary.

Awaken Your people to a commitment to justice,
To the sanctity of marriage and the family,
To the dignity of each individual human life,
To the truth that human rights begin when Human Lives Begin, And not one moment later.  And to the truth that our responsibilities to the living do not end when life begins, especially our responsibility to care for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Amen. 

#3 

Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who currently hold office. Especially the President and congress as they make important decisions resulting from war and natural disaster alike that have brought pain, loss, and sorrow to so many of our fellow citizens.  Grant our brothers and sisters throughout this nation Your light and Your peace in times of darkness and despair. 

Lord, bless our land through the upcoming elections with trustworthy leaders endowed with wisdom, respect, and an understanding of Your calling and ours.  Make us a people at peace among ourselves and let not this election tear us apart.

Amen.

#4

Almighty God,

You have given us this nation as our heritage.  Grant that we who are so blessed not take that blessing for granted.  May we remember Your generosity and seek to do Your will.  Bless this nation Lord with honesty and truthfulness in industry and education alike.  Grant our citizenry to seek an honorable way of life and save us from violence, discord, confusion and strife, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us, who came from many nations with many different languages, a united people.  Defend our liberties through the results of this election, especially that first liberty of freedom of conscious to believe, obey, praise, and worship You. Give those whom we shall entrust with authority of government the spirit that keeps them high in purpose and ever mindful that You are the ultimate authority to whom all must give account.

Amen.

For more information on the importance of our Christian citizenship and the issues before us as such check out the LCMS website:

http://www.lcms.org/freetobefaithful

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer