A Prayer for America the Morning After the Election

By Dr. Layne McDonald

America voted on November 3, and this morning the news says control of Congress changed hands, with some races still not called. However you feel today, here is a prayer you can pray out loud, word for word, wherever you stand. God is listening, and He is near.

A prayer we can pray together

For our leaders

Lord, we come to You with humble hearts. Your word says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven" (2 Chronicles 7:14). So we humble ourselves first, before we point at anyone else. Give every leader in this land wisdom, honesty, and a tender conscience. Raise up good counselors around them. Protect their families. Where we have been proud, forgive us, and heal our land.

For our neighbors who voted differently

Father, help us love the people across the street and across the aisle. They are not our enemies. They are our neighbors, made in Your image. Take the sharp words off our tongues. Help us listen before we answer, and to ask what it means to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly" with You (Micah 6:8) in our own towns. Let our tables be places of peace again.

For the church to be one family

Jesus, You prayed that Your followers would be one, the way You and the Father are one. Make us one family again where we have let politics pull us apart. Forgive us for the times we loved being right more than we loved each other. Knit Your church together in every city, so the world sees Your love in how we treat one another.

For peace in our streets and homes

Prince of Peace, we ask for calm in our streets and kindness in our homes. Your word says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12). Be our Lord again, in our laws and in our living rooms. Guard those who serve and protect. Comfort everyone who woke up scared or sad today. Let Your peace rule in us, starting with me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Carry this with you

You do not have to know how every race ends to know where you stand. You stand with a God who hears prayer and a church family that prays together. Pray this prayer again tonight, and tomorrow, and let God do in our hearts what no result can do.

Questions people ask

Can I pray this if my side lost?

Yes. God's call to pray was never built on winning. He hears the prayers of His people in every season, and some of the sweetest prayers in the Bible were prayed by people who had lost everything but God. He is still enough.

Can I pray this if my side won?

Yes, and maybe we need it most. Winning can make hearts proud and careless. This prayer keeps us humble, thankful, and gentle with neighbors who are hurting today. A soft heart after a win is a strong witness for Jesus.

Need prayer right now? Text 1-901-213-7341 and someone will pray with you. Boundless is an online church family for people who cannot get to a building. You can belong here, and we will help you find a local Assemblies of God church near you. Visit boundlessonlinechurch.org.