Prayerfully use your vote today
Today, 22 May 2014, we go to the polls for Local Government and European Parliamentary elections. Please do not neglect to use your vote.
In April, The Church of Ireland’s Northern Ireland Community Relations Working Group encouraged our prayerful and engaged participation, reminding us that:
“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.”
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.
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.