Prayers for Election Day

Dear Parish Family,

As we await the counting of ballots and the results of this week's election, you, like I, might be wondering how to navigate such a weighty time — in such an unprecedented year — once you’ve done what you could in the voting booth. 

Each day, Monday through Friday, we’ll have our regular Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer offices at 8:15am and 5:15pm, and a service of Holy Eucharist at 12:05pm. In addition, all of your clergy have collaborated on the prayer resource below. These prayers can be prayed according to the suggested schedule, or you can cherry-pick to find what speaks to you at any time during the days and weeks ahead.

As you pray for our nation, know that you are also being prayed for. I’m certain I speak for all of Trinity’s diverse ministers when I say how deeply grateful we are to walk this path in such blessed company.

In Christ,

Mother Beth

A Collect for Guidance

Suggested time of prayer: at waking

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: we humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 100

For an Election

Suggested time of prayer: 6am

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representative; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 822

A Prayer of Saint Cyprian of Carthage   

Suggested time of prayer: 9am

Lord, we pray for the unity of your Church.

Help us to see ourselves as rays from the one sun,

branches of a single tree, 

and streams flowing from one river.

May we remain united to you and to each other,

 because you are our common source of life;

 and may we send out your light and pour forth your flowing streams over all the earth,

drawing our inspiration and joy from you.    

Angela Ashwin, The Book of a Thousand Prayers, page 221

For Social Justice

Suggested time of prayer: 12pm

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 823

For Persistence 

Suggested time of prayer: 3pm

Loving God,

Give us the grace to remember that You are always with us.

Help us to remain committed to our values no matter what may happen in our life.

Bless our country and help us to live in such a way that we bring glory to your name. 

May we never lose sight of the hope and the good news you have promised us in Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones 

For those who influence Public Opinion

Suggested time of prayer: 6pm

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 827

Prayer for Vision

Suggested time of prayer: 9pm

Almighty and Everlasting God, you are the Shepherd of shepherds. You always guide us to choose our leaders according to heart, but sins and our human limitations may decide differently. Come in, Lord, with your changing and perfecting Spirit, to transform and accord the heart of the one we elect; grant wisdom and discernment to the one we do not. Work closely with the leaders and people of our nation in promoting social justice for all and cultivating our unity so we can live in peace. To all of us, may the Spirit of love, cooperation and mutual understanding which reigns in your divine community govern our hearts. We pray to You, who are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

The Rev. Alfred Loua

For the conclusion of Compline

Suggested time of prayer: before you go to sleep

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 133