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God of justice, mercy and peace,
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We come before you in this election season, grateful for the precious and fragile gift of democracy. We know that democracy is not guaranteed. It must be practiced and protected by every generation.
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We give thanks for the extraordinary promise of an ordinary ballot. For a democracy in which the vote of a poor widow carries the same weight as that of a tech billionaire. Where power belongs to all the people, not just the wealthy or privileged. Where every voice matters, every person has dignity and every vote deserves to be counted. God, protect this promise.
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We pray for the poll workers who serve long hours to make our elections possible. May they be treated with gratitude and respect, protected from threats and harassment, and supported in their work.
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We pray for polling places free from intimidation, interference and fear. Clear the path for every eligible voter to cast their ballot safely and without obstruction.
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We pray for the voters standing in long lines, for parents holding fidgety babies, for workers watching the clock on break, for older adults and people with disabilities navigating barriers, for those traveling long distances simply to exercise their right to vote. Give them patience, persistence and the assurance that their participation matters. May no one be turned away unjustly or discouraged by needless burdens.
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God, protect the integrity of this election. Give election officials wisdom, courage and the resources they need to administer an election that is free, fair, transparent and trustworthy. May unfounded accusations give way to verified facts, and may legitimate concerns be addressed with honesty and accountability.
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We pray for candidates and political leaders. May they speak truthfully, disagree without dehumanizing and treat their opponents with dignity. May they remember that public office is a responsibility entrusted to them, not a prize to be seized. Give them the humility to accept the will of the voters and the integrity to honor lawful election results.
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God, remind us of the principles that sustain a just democracy: that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed; that no person, not even the most powerful, stands above the law; that freedoms of speech, conscience, religion and assembly belong to all; that the will of the majority must never erase the rights of the minority; and that free and fair elections allow the people to hold their leaders accountable. When these principles are threatened, God, give us courage to defend them.
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God of hope, you call us to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you. May our participation in this election reflect that calling. And may our democracy, imperfect and fragile as it is, become a more faithful expression of the equal dignity and worth of every human being.
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Amen.
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Click HERE for the original post on The Presbyterian Outlook website.
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