May elections: Be prayerful and engaged
The Church of Ireland’s Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group Encourages Prayerful and Engaged Participation in May Elections…
On the 22nd of May this year, the Northern Irish electorate will be able to vote in Local Government and European Parliamentary elections. By way of preparation for these elections, the Church’s Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group wishes to encourage citizens of Northern Ireland – Church of Ireland members in particular – to consider this important opportunity to be actively engaged in society both thoughtfully and prayerfully.
At the core of the Christian faith is love of God and love of our neighbour as ourselves. In the Book of Common Prayer‘s Prayer for Christian Citizenship, we pray that ‘laying aside our divisions, we may be united in heart and mind to bear the burdens which are laid upon us…’ and ‘…put far from us selfish indifference to the needs of others’. It should be the aim of the Christian to see good governance carried out with integrity and it is our view that in a representative democracy everyone is integrally involved with the body politic and has a moral obligation to use their vote. In addition, we should ask searching questions of our politicians and each ask ourselves if we are using our vote unselfishly and working wholeheartedly for the fulfilment of a healthy society.
To this end, over the coming weeks we feel it would be important for Christian people to engage with the political process and to ask those standing for election, and the parties to which they belong, about their views of the common good for the future and evidence of their commitment to reconciliation. Practically, it may be a good idea for churches to organise locally–based hustings in order to provide opportunities for people to hear more from those willing to put themselves forward for these important representative public roles. With regard to organising hustings and to the European elections, resources provided by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland may be useful (click here).
Finally, we encourage everyone to pray. The Prayer for Christian Citizenship (p.145 of the Book of Common Prayer 2004) as well as the Prayer for use at the time of a Parliamentary or Civic Election (BCP 1926) – which asks God to ‘give the spirit of wisdom, courage, and true godliness’ to all those elected – may be especially useful at this time:
Prayer for Christian Citizenship
Look, we beseech thee, O Lord, upon the people of this land who are called after thy holy Name; and grant that they may ever walk worthy of their Christian profession. Grant unto us all that, laying aside our divisions, we may be united in heart and mind to bear the burdens which are laid upon us. Help us to respond to the call of our country according to our several powers put far from us selfish indifference to the needs of others; and give us grace to fulfil our daily duties with sober diligence. Keep us from all uncharitableness in word or deed; and enable us by patient continuance in well–doing to glorify thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for use at the time of a Parliamentary or Civic Election
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, guide, we beseech thee, the minds of all those who are called at this time to exercise the duty of electing fit persons to serve in Parliament [or, in the Council of this County or City or Town]. Grant that the issue of their choice may promote thy glory and the welfare of this people; and to all those who shall be elected, give the spirit of wisdom, courage, and true godliness. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.