I created the following litany for use in my community as we continue through the current election season. I pray it may be helpful to you as well.
Welcome
We worship in the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen!
Scripture reminds us to place our trust in the Lord, and not in earthly rulers, political parties, or nations.
Listen to the Word of the Lord: (Taken from Psalm 146)
Don’t trust leaders;
don’t trust any human beings—
there’s no saving help with them!
Their breath leaves them,
then they go back to the ground.
On that very same day, their plans die too.
The person whose help is the God of Jacob—
the person whose hope rests on the Lord their God—
is truly happy!
God: the maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
God: who is faithful forever,
who gives justice to people who are oppressed,
who gives bread to people who are starving!
The Lord: who frees prisoners.
The Lord: who makes the blind see.
The Lord: who straightens up those who are bent low.
The Lord: who loves the righteous.
The Lord: who protects immigrants,
who helps orphans and widows,
but who makes the way of the wicked twist and turn!
The Lord will rule forever!
Zion, your God will rule from one generation to the next!
Litany
With our trust in the Lord our God, we raise our voices together – asking to be guided in this season by the wisdom, mercy, and compassion of the Lord.
Lord God, ruler of all,
We give thanks for the right to vote, and for those who fought have placed their lives on the line to secure this right. Help us to approach this responsibility as an act of faith, with prayer and discernment.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Lord God, ruler of all,
Watch over all candidates in this election and their families. Protect them from hatred and the unkindness of the election season. Stir them to speak and act with integrity.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Lord God, ruler of all,
Be present at all polling locations, that they would be places of peace and democracy.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Lord God, ruler of all,
Open our hearts and eyes to the least of your children, that our votes would represent an in-breaking of your kingdom here in this place.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Lord God, ruler of all,
In a season of division, remind us as a community of faith that what unites us is more powerful than what divides us.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Lord God, ruler of all,
Help us all to truly love our neighbor, and to act with love in all things.
God of all nations,
Guide us toward wisdom and love.
Prayer of the Day
Lord God, ruler of all nations,
You are the source of all rights and authority. Guide the people of the United State, the state of Texas, and Montgomery county in the election of faithful and capable officials; that through just legislation and wise administration the rights and dignity of all in our nation may be preserved.
Remind us that you are our strong guardian and our sure defense; a mighty fortress and our never failing shepherd.
As you raised Jesus from the tomb, lead us from death to life, from despair to hope, from hatred to love, from war to peace;
Through your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
This work litany was inspired by, and parts adapted from, a variety of liturgical resources. To the extent that it is helpful to you or your community, please feel free to use or adapt for personal devotion or congregational use.
