As God’s people, we are to seek the welfare of the city where we live (Jeremiah 29:7) and to pray for all people, including government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Because we have the privilege to elect our leaders, and because elections can have a big impact on the welfare of our land, we encourage you to spend the day before Election Day in fasting and prayer.
If you have never fasted before or want to learn more about how (and why) to fast, check out our fasting guide.
Prayer Guide
As you fast on the day before Election Day, use this prayer guide as a starting point for praying throughout the day. In addition to prayer, you can spend time meditating on the Scriptures referenced throughout the guide. Also consider journaling your thoughts, prayers, and insights.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
Pray for your elected officials, your government, and those in authority, both locally and nationally. Pray for the elections in your district. Pray for the welfare of your city. Pray the Lord would show you what it looks like to vote faithfully and lovingly. More specifically:
- Pray those in authority over us would come to know and trust in Jesus Christ and that their lives and perspectives would be radically transformed by the gospel. Pray by name for those who represent you at the national, state, and local levels. (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Proverbs 29:2)
- Pray our government would seek to protect the citizens and carry out justice in an impartial manner. (Romans 13:1-5)
- Pray for the city of Dallas, your neighbors, and those you encounter on a day-to-day basis. Pray for the lost and the hurting in our communities. Pray for opportunities to serve and care for those you come across. (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Pray for leaders and voters to enact laws that protect all vulnerable and marginalized people (including the unborn, immigrants, widows, refugees, and orphans). (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:20-22)
Pray for your own family and the other families in our church body. Pray that the Lord would strengthen and restore marriages. Pray for children and their parents. Pray for your roommates and friends. Pray that single men and women would feel welcomed and encouraged to live on mission. More specifically:
- Pray there would be oneness and unity with those who are married. Pray husbands would love and lead their families as Christ leads and loves the church. Pray wives would love and support their husbands. (1 Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-28)
- Pray that children and teenagers within our body would come to know and trust in Jesus. Pray they would find no greater joy than knowing and loving Jesus Christ. Pray they would honor their parents in the Lord. Pray that a generation of fully devoted Christ-followers would be sent from this body to the uttermost parts of the world. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:12)
- Pray for the parents in our body who strive to be faithful in loving, nurturing, and preparing their children to go out into the world. Pray that parents would have the courage to make wise decisions even if it may be in opposition to what the culture says is appropriate. (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4)
- Pray specifically for the single parents in our body who work diligently to love and serve their children. Pray the Lord would help you develop relationships with single parents who are exhausted, discouraged, or feeling overwhelmed. Pray the Lord would direct you to know how to help, love, support, and encourage them. (1 John 3:16-18).
- Pray that single men and women in our body would continue to demonstrate faithfulness. Pray that, if they are called to marriage, the Lord would help them maintain godly standards for their future spouse. Pray they would be free of anxiety and seek to please the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:32)
Pray for your community group, your church, and the church in America at large. Pray for assurance and conviction for other believers in your city. Pray for clarity and boldness for leaders as they seek to lead God’s people. More specifically:
- Pray our Watermark family would be salt and light to Dallas and the surrounding cities and counties. (Matthew 5:13-16)
- Pray we would be diligent to pursue the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Pray we would repent and seek reconciliation if any of our discussions have been marked by divisiveness or lack of love. (John 17:20-23; Ephesians 4:1-3)
- Pray for the members of your community group by name. Pray that you would be a blessing to them, and that you would be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Pray you would engage in hard discussions in a way that seeks to understand and honor Christ. (James 1:19; Ephesians 4:29-32; Proverbs 18:2)
- Pray our conduct would be honorable before the watching world and that we would boldly proclaim the hope we have in Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:9-12; Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 4:5-6)
- Pray that the Elders at Watermark would be diligent to shepherd the flock of God in a way that leads to blessing and righteousness. (1 Peter 5:1-5)
- Pray that other church leaders throughout our country who are faithfully shepherding and equipping the saints for the work of ministry would not grow weary of doing good. (Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:58)
- Pray the Lord would strengthen the resolve of pastors and Elders everywhere and that they would take seriously the call to courageously shepherd the flock of God. (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Proverbs 20:10)
- Pray that every church in America would be a prevailing church and reject apathy, people-pleasing, and pandering to the patterns of this world. (Revelation 3:1-3)
As you fast and pray before the election, remind yourself that God is in control. He is the One who institutes leaders and gives them authority (Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1). Whatever the outcome, we can trust that it will ultimately be used for His good purposes (Romans 8:28).
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
You can find more resources on elections and voting at watermark.org/vote.