Pray, then Vote... then Pray Again.

As we approach election time, I thought it would be good to point out the importance of prayer for our United States and for elected officials.

It's really, really, really important!

I don't think I need to explain myself about why prayer is important; big, bold letters will suffice for now. So anyways, I stole a few nice-sounding prayers as recommendations during the election, though anything will do. Prayer is prayer, after all.

A prayer for our country:

Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom, justice, and brotherhood for all who make it great.
Guard us from war, from fire and wind, from compromise, fear, and confusion.
Be close to our president and our statesmen; give them vision and courage, as they ponder decisions affecting peace and the future of the world.
Make me more deeply aware of my heritage; realizing not only my rights, but also my duties and responsibilities as a citizen.
Make this great land and all its people know clearly Your will, that they may fulfill the destiny ordained for us in the salvation of the nations, and the restoring of all things in Christ. Amen.

A prayer for the president and other elected officials:

God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude the president and other government leaders of these United States. May they always seek the ways of righteousness, justice, and mercy.
Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection to lead our country with honesty and integrity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer before voting:

Gracious and loving God, let your Spirit be with us today. Hear our prayers, and increase in us the will to follow your Son Jesus.
Help us to draw on the resources of our faith as we use the opportunities of our democracy to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity, and rights of the human person, especially the poor and vulnerable.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Remember when you go to vote, if you're a follower of Christ, then that is your most important identity. You might be a registered Republican or a registered Democrat (or even a registered I'm-too-cool-for-mainstream-parties guy), but first and foremost you are a registered Christian in the Big Guy's book. When a Christian does anything, ideally he or she should let God guide his or her actions. This goes for voting, too. More likely than not, that means that neither side is gonna be perfect. So you have to have issues that are priorities. The law of God is non-negotiable, so some of your political beliefs should be, too. Vote for the guy or the party whose accumulated actions you honestly think will do the best for the country by God's standards. 


Edit (9/4/12): This article raises good points about the Catholic role in politics.