The Golden Rule, Norman Rockwell, 1961,
Donated to the United Nations Headquarters from the United States of America |
Prayer Service for Election Day
November 5, 2024
8:00 am online
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church,
Ellisville, MO
Breathe and Center Yourself at the Ringing of the Bell.
Opening Words
Celebrant: God is Spirit,
and those who worship must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
People: We are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together
with the Saints and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2:19)
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Collect for an Election (in unison) BCP, p. 822
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:
Guide the people of the United States
and of this community
in the election of officials and representatives;
that, by faithful administration and wise laws,
the rights of all may be protected
and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Readings
A Reading from the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah 58:6-12
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and God will say, Here I am.
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Canticle N (In Unison) A Song of God’s Love 1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another,
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God,
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us,
that God sent God’s only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us
and sent God’s son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much,
we are also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us,
and God's love will be perfected in us.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 20:25-28
Priest: The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that those who rule the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave— just as the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Prayers
A Litany for Sound Government from Forward Movement
Intercessor: O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
People: Lord, keep this nation under your care.
Intercessor: To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
People: Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
Intercessor: To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
People: Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
Intercessor: To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
People: Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
Intercessor: And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
All: For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.
Presider:
Almighty God,
the source of all wisdom,
give grace to all those who will vote in the election,
and bless with your spirit of humility and charity
all who will be elected to public office.
Make your kingdom of love visible among us,
and make all things subject to your just and gentle rule,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for an Election
Written by The Rev. Shannon Kelly, Director Department of Faith Formation, The Episcopal Church
Celebrant:
Loving God, Creator of this world, who is our source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: Guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to do work on our behalf and on the behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world so it may reflect the values Christ taught us.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth – communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to everyone’s voice.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: We pray for this nation that is deeply divided. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do – to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you through creation.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: Help us act out of love, mercy and justice rather than out of arrogance or fear.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: We pray for communities who are struggling with inequality, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
Intercessor: Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world.
Intercessor: God, our Creator,
People: Guide us in truth and love.
A Time of Silent Reflection and Intercession from Your Heart is Observed.
Confession
Priest: Let us reflect, and confess our sins against God and our neighbor
All:
Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift:
You create all people in your image
and call us to love one another as you love us.
We confess that we have failed to honor you
in the great diversity of the human family.
We have desired to live in freedom,
while building walls between ourselves and others.
We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are,
while making judgements of others based on the color of skin,
or the shape of features,
or the varieties of human experience.
We have tried to love our neighbors individually
while yet benefitting from systems
that hold those same neighbors in oppression.
Forgive us, Holy God.
Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.
Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.
Restore us in your image, to be beloved community,
united in our diversity,
even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit,
Holy and undivided Trinity,
now and forever. Amen.
The Priest then offers absolution and assurance of God’s grace and love:
May Almighty God have mercy on us,
grant us courage and conviction,
and strengthen us to love others who are unlike us.
May God, the holy and undivided Trinity,
make us compassionate in our actions
and courageous in our works,
that we may see Christ's Beloved Community in our own day. Amen.
Collect for Social Justice BCP p. 823
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit
may so move every human heart
and especially the hearts of the people of this land,
that barriers which divide us may crumble,
suspicions disappear,
and hatreds cease;
that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Our Country (read responsorially) Diocese of Missouri
O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted,
grant courage and hope.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening,
grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door and window,
grant imagination and resistance.
Where distrust twists our thinking,
grant healing and illumination.
Where spirits are daunted and weakened,
grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams;
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Blessing
Live without fear:
your creator has made you holy,
has always protected you,
and loves you as a mother.
Go out into the world in peace;
have courage;
hold on to what is good;
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the faint hearted;
support the weak, and help the suffering;
honor all people;
love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Go in peace to follow the good road,
and may the blessing of God Almighty be with you always:
In the name of the Creator, and the Redeemer, and the Life Giving Spirit.
Amen.
Dismissal
Celebrant: Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Broadcast On Facebook Live on November 5, 2024 at 8:00 am
