| | | | | | Prayer for the 2024 Election
and the Days Following | Gracious and Merciful God, Hallowed be Thy name! Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. O God, we come before You as Your people called by Your name, asking that You fortify, cover, and keep us as we approach Election Day 2024. This election season has stirred uncertainty and turmoil, hateful rhetoric and confusion, vitriol and fear. Help us, O God.
We pray for Your grace and mercy and we seek Your strength and comfort. In these tenuous times, may we be instruments of Your peace, light, and hope. During these distressing days help us embody the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — in how we relate to one another. Help us, O God.
O God, we seek courage to be Your witnesses in the public square. In these few days leading to the election and in the days following, we desire to be ambassadors for Christ and a transformative presence in the communities where we live and serve. We pray that we will exercise our right to vote and that each person recognizes that vote is their voice and their vote matters! Move on the hearts of Your people, that no one will avoid civic engagement because of apathy, cynicism, or discouragement. Help us, O God.
Remind us, O God, of the dignity and worth of each person. Help us see Your image and likeness in everyone, not just those who look, believe, and think as we do. We beseech You to turn stony hearts to flesh and help each voter to discern what is true, just, honorable, and pure. Help us to do justice and love mercy in ways that propel us to become a more perfect union and the Beloved Community. In this moment, may we remember Your word in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.” Help us, O God.
O God, disrupt every evil device and scheme that seeks to jeopardize our democracy. Protect every voter and let every vote be counted! We recognize that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world. So, in the face of lies that threaten the safety of others and disinformation that divides us, embolden and strengthen us to stand firm and speak truth to power. Help us, O God.
Help us be faithful and do the work You entrusted to us, O God. We trust You with the outcomes of our efforts that Your love may abound and Your peace may permeate our hearts and spirits. Help us in all things to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. We pray in the Name of the Christ who came to give us abundant life. Amen. | | | A Prayer Service for the Captive
Artsakh Armenians | | His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of the Armenian Orthodox Church has called for a World Day of Prayer, to take place Sunday, November 10, 2024. Below is an excerpt from the directive of Bishop Parsamyan to the congregations in the Armenian Church of America, which offers more information about the call to prayer:
My affectionate greetings and blessings to our people across the Eastern Diocese.
Last week, Armenian Church dioceses around the world received a communication from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, regarding the plight of the Artsakh Armenians who are still being held captive in Azerbaijan—one year after the ethnic cleansing of our precious Artsakh, and four years after the surprise attack and subsequent war against our people there.
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians has announced that a special service will be held during the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, November 10, to pray for the well-being of the Armenians held captive in Azerbaijan, and to draw international attention to the illegal and immoral imprisonment of our fellow countrymen.
Catholicos Karekin II requests that all Armenian churches around the globe join in the prayer service on that date. He further urges that churches contact local government representatives, diplomats, ecumenical leaders, media, and other institutions to share in the service. The same occasion, either during or after the prayer service, may be an appropriate time to have a speaker address the issue of defending the rights of Artsakh Armenians, and the urgent need to gain liberty for the Armenians still being held prisoner.
In keeping with His Holiness’ request, I am directing all of our Diocesan parishes to hold a prayer service for the liberation of Armenian captives, on Sunday, November 10. In anticipation of the day, please make an effort to reach out to clergy from sister churches and figures from local government and invite them to join your community in prayer.
In the meantime, please continue to offer prayers for our countrymen being held in captivity, and for all our beleaguered people of Artsakh and Armenia.
Prayerfully, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan Primate | | | | Download NCC Voting Matters Twibbons for Your Social Media Profiles | | | | Join in Prayer: NCC in Partnership with Faiths United to Save Democracy | | | | Post-election Truth and Action Round Up | | Sojourners, in partnership with Faiths United to Save Democracy and others, has launched a Truth and Action Roundup email that will provide opportunities to support faith in action, serve as a trustworthy source of election information, and provide spiritual grounding on the road to inauguration.
This email will arrive in your inbox on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Spread the news about this resource with your networks. | | | Access Justice Department Hurricane-Related Voter Assistance Resources | Thousands have been displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and they are facing unimaginable tragedy. The U.S. Justice Department has launched a webpage to assist individuals affected by natural disasters during this election season, providing key information on how to vote. Share this information to help communities access resources they need to exercise their right to vote. | | | | | | | Register Now for the Christian
Climate Training | | The majority of Americans are concerned about climate change. But, they think only half of those around them feel the same way. As a person of faith, you can help others see they’re not alone in their concern and invite them to take action.
The Christian Climate Training equips you with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and take action on climate change from a faith perspective—in your home, neighborhood, church, community, with policymakers, and beyond.
After the training, you’re invited to become part of the Blessed Tomorrow Climate Ambassador Community, which provides ongoing support, resources, events, and a vast community of Climate Ambassadors from across the U.S. | | | Tune into CP3’s New Video Series on Terrorism Prevention | | C3 has released a new mini-series in their multimedia library that focuses on their work to prevent targeted violence and terrorism in the United States. This library was developed for prevention providers, researchers, and others within the public. | |
|
|
