Election 2008 Novena

Starting tomorrow, Monday, October 27th; ending Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th.

Election Day Prayer

Almighty God, all things are in your hands: our nation, our communities, our families, our lives.

In this time of great decision, bless our country and its people. Prosper the efforts of the just and true, and thwart the purposes of the unjust and dishonest. Preserve our land from violence and turmoil, and keep our relationships decent and respectful.

Inspire voters, legislators, executives, and judges so our country may be a land where morality is furthered by law and authority; where life is protected, marriage is respected, and family is supported; where the innocent are spared, and the guilty are punished; where justice is tempered by mercy, and mercy fortified by justice.

Help us to keep the United States of America a land where the rule of law and respect for individual dignity are the legal foundation of a just order.

Amen.

(E. L. Core, source.)

Historic Prayer for U.S. Civil Authorities

We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy Mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N.N., the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of His Church; our own bishop (or archbishop), N.N.; all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy 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 Thy 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 Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy 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 Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world can not give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy 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 Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

(Bishop John Carroll, 1791, source.)

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Thomas More

St. Thomas More,
adorer of Christ's Passion,
who put prayer before all else,
devoted husband and father,
defender of the Church,
perfect model of friendship,
impervious to all bribery,
committed to the common good,
who reverenced civil and Divine law,
civil judge of unimpeachable integrity,
patron of those who hold public office,
pray for us now
at this critical time of election,
where so much is at stake,
where the lives of the unborn
and those most vunerable
hang in the balance,
where the lives of the downtrodden
and defenseless against the terrorist
are most at risk.
Pray for us, St. Thomas More,
martyr for the truth,
that with this election,
we may draw ever closer
to the way God would have our country governed.

(Knitting a Conundrum, 2004, source.)

P.S. Thanks to Jeff, Sarah, Bill, Daniel, Clayton, Helen for linkage. Apologies to anybody I've overlooked.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sun. 10/26/08 06:37:22 PM
Categorized as Political & Religious.