Prayers After The 2016 Election

Yesterday I shared some prayers for the election from the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer. Today, the angst I felt about the 2016 election pales in comparison to my concerns about the next presidency, but I am determined to keep the faith in our country. I refuse to read the results as an endorsement of all the ugly things that went on during the campaign. I am trying to understand the perspectives of those who wanted this outcome. And, I am praying harder than ever.

White House Jan 2016

White House, January 2016

First, I am praying for our country, that love will overcome fear, that generosity will overcome selfishness, that compassion will overcome prejudice.

Prayer For Our Country

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage:

We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;

all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I also am praying for our next president, that he will respect the position, approach his responsibilities with solemnity, and exercise his powers judiciously.  

Prayer For the President of the United States and
All in Civil Authority

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world:

We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace.

Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

[Tweet “#Prayers after #Election2016”]

I am determined that my country will get through this difficult time, and continue to strive for a “more perfect Union” that makes America great for all of us.

Deb Runs

Today’ Wednesday Word is determined.

Are you determined to ban all political discussions at your holiday gatherings?

This entry was posted in Life and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

19 Responses to Prayers After The 2016 Election

  1. Tamieka says:

    Thank you for your prayers. …praying for our country, that love will overcome fear, that generosity will overcome selfishness, that compassion will overcome prejudice……AMEN!

  2. John baker says:

    Well said Courtenay. Thanks. John B

  3. Most of my family actually thinks along the same lines. Mr. Judy is the black sheep of the family — I actually don’t know who he voted for in the end, as he probably didn’t choose until actually in the voting booth. I do know who he voted against.

    I think one of the great attributes of our country is the freedom of choice. While I do not share my husband’s choices, I applaud the freedom of living in a country where BOTH of us have choices.

    So anyway, family gatherings don’t tend to get heated (and they’re small). I do pretty much try to stay away from politics online. I used to run a very large forum, and I had to ban political talk altogether. It had nothing to do with the topic of the forum, and while I allowed off topic discussions, in the end, political ones just got too heated.

    I was both supported and took flack for that decision.

    • Coco says:

      My kids are the ones who want to talk about politics. They want to understand, but they also want to assert their independence, so it can get testy!

  4. God bless our great and beautiful country!

    Thank you for linking up!

  5. I just hope all the nastiness and meanness subsides. The damage done by Trump is going to take a long time to heal. I’m just sickened this morning. Who are our neighbors and friends? How did this guy win?

    • Coco says:

      I think it’s hard not to project the ugliest parts of the candidate onto people who voted for them, but I trust that people had other reasons. I think it shows that our view of politicians is so bad that “we” are willing to overlook the worst character flaws because we don’t think any one else is really any better.

  6. Anne says:

    I love your post and the thoughtful comments above. With people like this taking actions of love and respect, I trust that our society is going to be just fine.

  7. Karen says:

    Prayer is the best thing anyone can do.

  8. Elaine Alston says:

    Thank you for the prayers. I was unable to sleep last night because I was trying to get an understanding of how this could have happened and I have come to the conclusion that we server a God that sees and knows all and it’s in His hands. Thanks again!

  9. Chaitali says:

    I am joining you in the hopes that love will overcome fear, that generosity will overcome selfishness, that compassion will overcome prejudice. I am less hopeful about whether we can expect judiciousness from our next President but I hope he surrounds himself with cooler heads.

  10. Joining you in these prayers Coco. Deeply concerned for our country.

    • Coco says:

      I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at all the protests yesterday, but I never thought “peaceful transfer of power” would be something we really would have to worry about in this country.

      Oh, Obama, we are missing you already!

  11. Thanks for sharing the prayers….appropriate sentiments, suitable for either candidate. I was expecting anarchy (again, regardless of who would win) because both parties are SO divided. It makes me sad…I do not see much mutual respect for either party of the other. How did our “United” States become so divided?

    • Coco says:

      I think it’s easy demonize the other side, whichever side you are on, because we can paint things in black and white and overlook nuances. Emotions are raw right now, so really we need to pray for peace.

Comments are closed.