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A file photo shows a roll of "I Voted Today" stickers at a polling station in Washington. (OSV News photo/Gary Cameron, Reuters)

5 Catholic prayers for Election Day


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Catholic Review Filed Under: 2024 Election, Feature, Local News, News

With another divisive presidential election on the horizon Nov. 5, there’s never a better time to turn to prayer.

Shortly after the United States was founded, then-Bishop John Carroll, the first bishop of Baltimore who led a sprawling diocese encompassing the entire country, showed his devotion to the new nation by writing a prayer in 1791 for the U.S. government. Bishop Carroll, who became an archbishop in 1808 when the Baltimore diocese was elevated to the status of an archdiocese, wrote the prayer shortly before George Washington, the first U.S. president, was elected to a second term in 1792. 

Washington was virtually unopposed in that bid for a second term, winning the electoral vote unanimously. Oh, how the times have changed as Vice President Kamala Harris seeks the top job  against former President Donald Trump.

Here’s a look at Archbishop Carroll’s prayer and four others that Catholics can turn to for solace:

Prayer for our Government by Archbishop John Carroll

The following prayer was composed by Baltimore Archbishop John Carroll in 1791: 

We pray, O almighty and eternal God, who through Jesus Christ has revealed thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of your name.

An oil painting of Archbishop John Carroll was completed in the early 19th century by Joshua Johnson. (CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese of Baltimore)

We pray Thee, who alone are good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, the pope, the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, all other bishops, prelates and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct your people into the ways of salvation.

We pray O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the president of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to you, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of your servants departed, who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech you, a place of refreshment, light and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Prayer before an election

Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.

We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Novena for the Election Prayers

Pray More Novenas’ opening prayer:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Mother Mary, Patroness of the Americas, join us in praying for this election and these intentions:

[State your intentions here.]

Heavenly Father,

Give us the gift of faith in You and Your Providence for our nation.

Give us the gift of hope for our nation as we vote for political office.

Give us the gift of love that we may love our fellow citizens.

Lord, please form our consciences according to the Gospel. Open our hearts and minds to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Lead us to those candidates who, however imperfect, will best serve and lead the citizens placed under their care.

As we wrestle with the complexity of political life, let us never forget the dignity of every human life made in Your image and Your call to love one another especially the most vulnerable.

Give us the courage to be detached from our political loyalties and be first a faithful follower of Jesus, the true King. And when it comes time for us to contribute to the political realm, help us to cast our vote in a way that is pleasing to You.

In this election, O God, we pray for the best political leaders possible in this fallen world, but we place our ultimate trust in You.  

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Read more at: praymorenovenas.com/election-novena

My Catholic Life

Prayer from My Catholic Life:

Most glorious and Triune God,
At this moment of much contention within our world, we turn to You.
Bestow Your grace in abundance.
Heal our land, give direction to our leaders, dispel all darkness and strengthen our charity.

This day, dear Lord, I join with all Your faithful and consecrate my life to You.
Fill my mind with Your Truth.
Strengthen my resolve with Your will.
Endow my spirit with Your mercy.

This day, dear Lord, I also join the Communion of Saints in my prayers for the United States (my nation).
May Your will and Your will alone be done in our elections.
May You and You alone guide the legislators and those with executive office.
May Your Truth and Your Truth alone guide our judges.
May You and You alone guide every voter.

Have mercy on our great nation.
Fill all citizens with clear direction in their civic duty.
Help all who lead to bring forth Your Kingdom.
Direct those in the media toward Your Truth alone.

Spare the lives of the unborn and bring an end to abortion.
Protect our religious liberty.
Protect the innocent, poor, neglected and most vulnerable.
Comfort those who are suffering.
Help our country to prosper in Your grace.

Mother Mary, take up your queenship in our lives and in our country.
Saint Joseph, be our protector now and always.
Angels of God, guard us against all evil.

Most Holy and Triune God, have mercy on us.
God the Father, have mercy on us.
God the Son, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Amen.

Read More: mycatholic.life

Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary

By Father Chad Ripperger, founder of Catholic Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother in Denver, (contemporized English Version), originally posted at dmdiocese.org

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to you, our refuge and hope. Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that you would turn your eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion.

Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they will choose leaders according to the Sacred Heart of your Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve.

Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and your maternal care, we have perfect confidence that you will take care of us and will not leave us forsaken. O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

Read More 2024 Election

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