10 Prayers for a Peaceful Election Season in America

10 Prayers for a Peaceful Election Season in America
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Elections can be seasons of chaos. Extremists demonize the other side. Many don’t like either of two choices. Some decide on a candidate based on a “lesser of two evils” approach. With press and narratives often declaring this election to be the most important of all time, where our whole future is at stake, the months leading up to November can be full of anxiety. 

Fortunately, for believers, Christ offers a peace not dependent upon the current situation. Our citizenship lies in the Kingdom of God, ruled by the Prince of Peace. God’s peace, or shalom, goes beyond an absence of conflict. Shalom signifies wholeness, completeness, and well-being. It reflects harmony with God, oneself, and others.

This doesn’t mean we ignore the world around us, but it is from this place of peace we can bring peace to others. Jesus could calm the storm because he was already at peace. They had to wake him up! With his Spirit, we can do the same with the chaotic election season ahead. 

Here are 10 prayers for a peaceful election season in America.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LeoPatrizi 

  • Two women with an American flag; can we love both God and country?

    1. A Prayer for Wisdom

    Praying for wisdom during an election season is a vital way to seek God's guidance for voters, candidates, and leaders. James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom: “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.” If we ask, God provides the wisdom we need, especially in making important decisions that impact our nation.

    As Christians, praying for wisdom helps ensure that our choices reflect God’s will and promote peace and justice. Wisdom allows us to discern truth from falsehood, prioritize the common good, and elect leaders who will govern with integrity and righteousness. By seeking God’s wisdom, we invite His presence into the electoral process, asking Him to guide the hearts and minds of all involved.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you during this election season, seeking your divine wisdom and guidance. As we prepare to cast our votes, we ask that you grant us discernment and understanding. Help us to see beyond partisan divisions and focus on the qualities that reflect Your justice, mercy, and truth. 
    Lord, grant our leaders the wisdom to make decisions that honor You and promote peace and unity in our nation. We trust in Your generous promise to provide wisdom to those who ask. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Zorica Nastasic

  • Capitol Hill, Senate passes a $1 trillion infrastructure bill

    2. A Prayer for Leadership

    God calls us to pray for our leaders and those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs us: “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.” Here, Paul tells us to pray for leaders to ensure a peaceful and righteous governance. 

    The Bible teaches God’s sovereignty over choosing leaders, even in a democratic setting, and he can influence any leader with his power and grace. When praying for leaders, we align our hearts with God’s will and ask for his intervention in the political process. By praying for our leaders, we acknowledge our dependence on God's guidance and seek His blessing on the governance of our nation.

    Dear Heavenly Father, 
    We pray for all those in authority and those seeking to lead our country. Grant them wisdom, discernment, and a heart for justice and righteousness. Lord, guide their decisions and actions so that they may serve with integrity and compassion. 
    We ask that You bring peace and unity to our nation, allowing us to live quiet and godly lives. Help us to choose leaders who will honor you and promote the common good. We trust in your sovereignty and seek your will above all. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: Harold Mendoza/Unsplash

  • prayer for our country, heal the nation

    3. A Prayer for Unity

    God has established his church to be his voice in the world, calling all people to himself. And we need to work together to fulfill this call, so we must pray for unity, especially in times of political division. Ephesians 4:3 emphasizes this need: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 

    Unity in the body of Christ transcends political affiliations and focuses on shared faith and mission. Our citizenship is in heaven more than any nation or party. By praying for unity, we seek God’s help to maintain harmony among believers, ensuring that our common faith in Christ remains central. This unity reflects our witness to the world and demonstrates the power of God’s love to overcome differences.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you with a desire for unity among your people during this election season. Help us to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, as you have called us to do. Lord, remind us that our identity in Christ is greater than any political affiliation. 
    Let your love bind us together, transcending our differences. Grant us the grace to listen to one another with respect and to engage in discussions with humility and kindness. May we reflect your love and peace in all our interactions, showing the world the power of unity in Christ. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: unsplash

  • Woman with an American flag on the beach; can we love God and country?

    4. A Prayer for Peace

    Along with wisdom, we must pray for a peaceful political process, and Christians have been called to be peacemakers during this season. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We should actively pursue and promote peace, which is especially important during potentially divisive times like elections.

    As Christians, praying for peace means seeking God’s guidance to foster harmony and understanding among individuals with differing views. It involves asking God to instill a spirit of unity and calm, encouraging respectful dialogue and cooperation. We pray for God to keep passion and causes from devolving into violence and hate.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We seek your peace and guidance. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:9, we desire to be peacemakers in our communities and nation. Lord, help us to promote peace in our words and actions. Fill us with your spirit of understanding and patience, enabling us to engage in respectful and compassionate dialogue. 
    May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Let us reflect Your love and peace in all we do, showing the world the power of your transformative grace.
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LeoPatrizi

  • The American flag and the Statue of Liberty, The US is deemed to have a "backsliding democracy"

    5. A Prayer for Integrity

    Elections often come with accusations of corruption in the process, and a peaceful season requires integrity within gathering and counting votes. Proverbs 11:3 declares the importance of integrity: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Integrity leads to wise and just decisions, while dishonesty leads to downfall.

    Integrity in an election involves fairness, transparency, and ethical behavior from all participants—candidates, voters, and officials. By praying for integrity, we seek God’s guidance to uphold these values, promoting a fair and just electoral process. This prayer reflects our desire for leaders who will act with honesty and moral courage, fostering trust and unity within the nation.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you during this election season, seeking your guidance and blessing. As Proverbs 11:3 reminds us, integrity is crucial for righteous leadership. We pray that you instill integrity in the hearts of all candidates, voters, and officials involved in the election process. Guide them to act with honesty, transparency, and fairness. 
    Protect the process from deceit and corruption, ensuring that the outcomes reflect your justice and truth. Lord, help us as voters to discern wisely and choose leaders who embody these values. May your righteousness prevail, leading to peace and unity in our nation. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Rozbyshaka

  • Justice, Why Defining Justice Is Necessary for Doing Justice

    6. A Prayer for Justice

    Biblically, justice works with righteousness, a redemptive justice seeking the good and prosperity of all. We find the mandate in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse reveals the importance of justice, mercy, and humility in all aspects of life, including the electoral process.

    Justice in an election involves fairness, equality, and the protection of rights for all individuals. By praying for justice, we seek God’s guidance to ensure that the election process upholds these principles. This prayer reflects our desire for a just and equitable society, dignifying all people as made in the image of God.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We seek your justice and righteousness. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, you require us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. We pray that these principles guide our electoral process. Lord, instill a spirit of redemptive justice in the hearts of candidates, voters, and officials. Help them to act with fairness and integrity, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are protected. 
    May your justice prevail, leading to outcomes that reflect your will and promote the dignity of all people. Grant us the wisdom to choose leaders who embody these values and are committed to serving with compassion and humility. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/jacoblund

  • open Bible with US flag waving in background

    7. A Prayer for Protection

    Political extremism threatens the safety of leaders and officials during an election, bad actors seeking change through hate and violence. We must pray for protection for the country and leaders during this season. Psalm 27:1 provides reassurance of God’s protective power: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” God is our ultimate protector, capable of safeguarding our nation and its leaders.

    In times of political uncertainty and division, seeking God’s protection is vital. It helps to ensure that the election process is free from harm and that leaders can fulfill their duties safely. By praying for protection, we acknowledge our dependence on God’s strength and seek His guidance for a peaceful transition of power.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you in this election season, seeking your protection over our country and its leaders. As Psalm 27:1 reassures us, you are our light and salvation, our stronghold in times of uncertainty. We ask that you guard our nation, protecting the integrity of the electoral process and the safety of all involved. 
    Shield our leaders from harm and guide them to make decisions that honor you and promote peace. Lord, calm any tensions and divisions, fostering unity and understanding among citizens. We trust in Your sovereign power to keep our country secure and our leaders wise. May Your peace and protection be evident throughout this election season. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Javier_Art_Photography

  • Cross pin with American flag on a jean jacket

    8. A Prayer for Truth

    Truth changes things, and praying for God’s truth to be revealed illuminates the best choice for voters and leaders. John 8:32 underscores the liberating power of truth: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Freedom and righteousness, which we all long for, flow from Christ’s truth. 

    In the context of an election, praying for truth means seeking God’s intervention to uncover any falsehoods or deceit and to ensure that all information presented to voters is accurate and honest. By doing so, we help promote a fair and just election where decisions are made based on truth rather than misinformation.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We need your truth to prevail in all aspects of the process. As Jesus teaches us in John 8:32, we know that the truth will set us free. Lord, we ask that you uncover any deceit or falsehoods and ensure that accurate and honest information reaches all voters. 
    Guide the hearts and minds of the candidates, media, and electorate, fostering transparency and integrity. May Your truth shine brightly, dispelling confusion and bringing clarity to all decisions made. Help us to discern what is right and just, and to choose leaders who will uphold Your principles. We trust in Your power to reveal the truth and bring about a fair and righteous election. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Hleb Usovich

  • American flag at sunset

    9. A Prayer for Humility

    Praying for humility for Christians is crucial for fostering unity and respectful dialogue, especially in a season so ready for division and contention. James 4:10 teaches, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

    Humility allows Christians to approach political discussions and decisions with a spirit of grace and openness, prioritizing God’s will over personal agendas. Seeking humility, we acknowledge our dependence on God and recognize that his wisdom surpasses our understanding. This attitude can lead to more peaceful interactions and a greater focus on common values and goals.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you during this election, asking for a spirit of humility to permeate our hearts and minds. As James 4:10 reminds us, we seek to humble ourselves before you, trusting that you will lift us up in your time. Lord, help us to engage in political discussions with grace, respect, and a willingness to listen. Guide us to prioritize your will and wisdom above our own opinions and desires. 
    May we reflect your love and humility in all our interactions, fostering unity and understanding among believers and within our communities. Help us to remain focused on what truly matters, aligning our actions with your purpose and promoting peace throughout this election season. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: Unsplash/Aaron Burden

  • American flag, remembering the importance of Memorial Day

    10. A Prayer for God's Will

    Praying for God’s will to be done aligns with the Lord's Prayer, specifically Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Since God is all good, all loving, and all-knowing, we can trust his divine plan and purpose over our own desires and agendas. God’s will does the most good for all.

    In the context of an election, praying for God’s will means asking Him to guide the entire process, from the decisions of the voters to the actions of the candidates and officials. It involves surrendering our preferences and trusting that God’s wisdom and plan are ultimately for the best, ensuring that his purposes are fulfilled through the election.

    Heavenly Father, 
    We come before you and ask that your will be done in every aspect of the process. As Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, we ask for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, guide the hearts and minds of voters, candidates, and officials to submit to your divine purpose. 
    Help us to surrender our personal desires and trust in your perfect plan. May your wisdom prevail, leading to outcomes that honor you and promote peace, justice, and righteousness. Grant us the humility to accept your will and the faith to trust in your sovereignty. 
    In Jesus’ name, we pray, 
    Amen.

    Photo Credit: John Silliman/Unsplash

    This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com. Christianity.com

    Britt MooneyBritt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.