How can Christians pray for the upcoming election? Some suggestions:

• Pray for political peace and stability that provides a platform for the gospel to spread (1 Tim 2:1–4).

• Pray for a peaceful and clear electoral process (Jer 29:7). Pray that all would acknowledge its results and not resort to violence or destruction (e.g., rioting, insurrection).

• Thank God for all those who invested in the political process (e.g., candidates, canvassers, poll workers, etc.) Regardless of their positions, we at least thank God for the fact that they show concern for the welfare of our society. That’s a common grace (Rom 2:14–16).

• Pray for wisdom for the soon-to-be-elected officials, that they would fear God (Prov 8:14-16; 9:10), acknowledge Christ as the true king (Ps 2), and lead accordingly.

• Pray especially for the poor, oppressed, and vulnerable (e.g., the unborn, refugees, those in poverty, those affected by international conflict), that our political decisions would not negatively affect them, but instead might actually aid them and alleviate their conditions (Isa 1:17).

• Pray for your congregation, that it would remain united in the matters that unite (the gospel; Eph 4:1-6), and not experience divisions over permissible differences. Pray for mutual understanding as some in the congregation may be rejoicing and others simultaneously discouraged at election results (Rom 12:15).

• Pray for your hearts, that your hope would center on Jesus, not political results or candidates (Ps 20:7).

• Pray for the general population, that God would divest and disillusion anyone of putting their hope in politics so that they might put their hope in Jesus instead (Isa 31:1).

• Pray for all the candidates as they find out the results of the election, that they would find their sense of worth in Christ, not souring with pride if they win or plunging into despair if they loose (Phil 4:11-13).

• Pray that God’s kingdom would come (Matt 6:10), remembering that every time we pray this, we are praying for the end of the United States. Our ultimate citizenship belongs elsewhere (Phil 3:20).