Prayer is one of the most important actions during an election, next to voting. A vote made due to worldly concerns, overpowering emotions, or with cold logic that does not seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit is one that risks being a foolish vote. Throughout the Bible there are assurances that God will always guide us if believers turn to Him in prayer and ask for His help. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Prayer is the ultimate connection between God and His people, and when people have important decisions to make, like who to vote for in an election, lifting the decision up to the Lord is a wise starting place. Leading up to the vote, Christians should consider what is best for the country, what agenda best reflects biblical values and prescription for governance, and most importantly, pray that God’s will and His plan would be implemented here on earth.
Whether you’re looking for a short election day prayer to say as you head to the polls or seeking thoughtful prayer points to lift up our nation in the days and months ahead, here are eight prayers to guide you before, during, and after the election:
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A Prayer for Our Nation on Election Day
Holy Father, Thank you for the opportunity to have a voice in the way my government runs. I praise you for the vote that I have in America. During this time of debate, diffusion, and decision-making, please have Your sovereign hand over this country. Please keep our country healthy during this season. Lord, give us your peace that surpasses all understanding as we await the results of this election. Let our hearts be filled with trust in Your divine timing and purpose. Your Word reminds us that You are the One who changes the times and the seasons, and that no event or outcome is beyond Your control. As our nation moves through this season, I pray for calm and stability, that any tensions would ease, and that people would turn to You as the ultimate source of strength and hope. May our nation see Your hand at work in this moment, drawing us closer to unity, compassion, and understanding. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Election Anxiety
Our Heavenly Father, Thank You, Lord, for being our constant support and for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us, especially in uncertain times. Right now, so many hearts are heavy with worry about the upcoming election, and it feels like there’s so much at stake. But You remind us in Your Word not to be anxious, but to bring everything to You in prayer. I ask that You pour out Your peace upon this nation, calming worried hearts and bringing comfort to those who feel overwhelmed. Help us to let go of fear and fix our eyes on You, knowing that You are sovereign and Your will is perfect.
Let Your presence be felt in every anxious moment, replacing dread with trust, and tension with calm. May Your peace spread across our communities, opening doors for understanding and unity. Lord, we ask that You reign over us and silence the voices of fear, reminding us that in You, we find our true hope and security. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for the Candidates
Holy Father, Thank You, Lord, for the gift of democracy and for the privilege we have to choose our leaders. It’s a blessing to live in a place where leadership is renewed and guided by the voice of the people. I ask that You would be with all the candidates running for office. Surround them with protection and keep them healthy and strong, physically and mentally, as they navigate the demands of this time and the tasks ahead of them. Turn their hearts toward You, Lord. May they seek Your wisdom and revere You above all else. Help them to communicate their visions clearly and truthfully, aligning their goals with integrity and a genuine desire to serve. May this season draw our leaders—and our nation—closer to You.
Be with their vice-presidential picks as well, that they may be of help. I ask that the vice-presidential candidates’ hearts and minds be open to You as well. In the Bible, You tell us that to be a leader, he or she must also be a servant; please instill a spirit of servanthood in both candidates in all their future endeavors, whether they win this election or not. Protect the candidates, and may they be obedient to Your will.In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Wisdom before Voting
Holy Father, Thank you for being the source of all wisdom, and for being willing to impart that wisdom to Your people. During this time of national decision-making please grant the citizens of this country wisdom to vote for the best candidate with the right agenda for the next four years. Grant us the discernment to detect any falsehoods, or unbiblical policy proposals. Show us Your will in this election. Do not let our wisdom be clouded by earthly considerations, misunderstandings, or misguided desires to shape the future to our will rather than Your own. The Book of James tells us that we can know Your wisdom because it is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Help us to recognize that wisdom and exercise it in our vote. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Peace in Our Nation
Dear God, Please be with us during this time of decision. Bless our nation and keep it strong. Fill us with Your peace, calming our anxieties and drawing our focus to what unites us, not what divides us. Help us to see each other as brothers and sisters, made in Your image, and give us a spirit of unity that transcends our differences.
Let there be a revival in our land, stirring our hearts toward Your love and drawing us nearer to You and to one another. Renew our minds, so that we might see beyond earthly perspectives and embrace Your wisdom. Grant us peace within, wisdom in our choices, and courage in our actions, especially in the days ahead.
As King David wrote, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. May You reign over this country, guiding us toward justice, mercy, and humility. Be our shield, protecting our people from harm and keeping our hearts steadfast in faith. Guide our steps, strengthen our resolve, and let Your light shine through us in this season and beyond. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Short Election Day Prayers and Prayer Points
Lord, thank You for this opportunity to participate in the leadership of our country. Guide my thoughts and decisions as I vote today, and let Your will be done through this election. Amen.
Father, I lift up every voter and leader to You. Grant wisdom, honesty, and integrity to everyone involved in this election. May the outcome reflect Your plan and bring peace to our nation. Amen.
God of peace, I pray for calm, unity, and mutual respect across the country today. Remove fear and anxiety, and remind us all that You hold the future. Let Your peace reign. Amen.
Heavenly Father, help us remember that no matter the results, You are our ultimate leader. Strengthen us in faith, unify our hearts, and guide our nation according to Your purposes. Amen.
Election Day Prayer Points
It’s natural to feel a mix of anticipation, concern, and hope for our nation’s future. With so much at stake, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the weight of the decisions ahead. But as believers, we know that God invites us to bring all our anxieties and desires to Him in prayer. When you don't know what to pray, prayer points can be helpful in guiding your thoughts toward heaven. Below are some prayer points to help you say a prayer to seek God’s sovereign hand on this Election Day.
- For Peace: Pray for calm hearts and peaceful interactions as people head to the polls, and for unity among communities regardless of election outcomes.
- For Wisdom for Voters: Ask God to guide voters to make informed and thoughtful decisions, seeking His wisdom in every choice.
- For Integrity in Leaders: Pray that all candidates and leaders act with honesty and integrity, avoiding deception and placing the nation’s well-being above personal ambition.
- For Protection: Pray for safety at polling locations, especially in places where tensions may run high, and ask God to protect everyone involved in the election process.
- For Healing and Unity: Pray that God would use this election to foster understanding and healing, bridging divides and bringing people together.
- For God’s Will to Be Done: Ask God to guide the election results according to His perfect plan and to give people trust in His sovereignty, no matter the outcome.
A Prayer for Grace if Your Candidate Loses
Gracious Father, Thank you for Your sovereign will. Thank you for knowing the beginning from the end, and ultimately, thank you for helping us remember that You are in control of the results of the election. Please allow those who vote for the victor to be magnanimous in victory, and those who did not to be gracious in defeat. Please prevent the hardening of hearts, especially between believers. Help those who voted for the candidate who loses to accept what it says in Your Word in the Book of Daniel, that You change the times and the seasons, and that You remove kings and set up kings. Help us to remember that ultimately, nothing is out of Your control. Your plan is greater than those of man. Allow love to grow, rather than resentment. Help those whose candidate does not win take comfort in knowing You are always on the throne. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
A Prayer for Focus on the Eternal Kingdom
Holy Father, Thank you for preparing a place for Your people to be with You forever. Lord, while we are on this earth, we participate in earthly systems of government, and it is important to do so with integrity. However, Your Word says that we are citizens of Your Kingdom first and foremost. Help us to remember the results of this election are only important for a brief moment in time, but the more important work is to be done for the eternal kingdom. Show us people who do not know You as their Savior so we can share the Gospel. Grow love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they vote for a different party in this election, because we will spend eternity worshipping You, and this election only matters during this earthly existence. Keep our eyes on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Being a good citizen in this life is a part of the Christian life; even Jesus Christ obeyed the law of the land during His earthly ministry. However, Christians are not truly citizens of this world, but are just passing through to an eternal home. “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Even though voting with prayerful consideration is important, it is even more essential for the Christian to focus on God’s kingdom, as that will be their home forever.
Use these prayers as a way to turn election season from one of conflict, anxiety, and fear to one of growing closer to God, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ better, and focusing on voting as the Spirit leads, rather than by earthly concerns.
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