Election Day Prayer: 9 Initiatives from Catholic Leaders Calling Americans to Pray for the Nation
Today is Election Day in the United States.
As millions of Americans head to the polls, let us also take time to pray. Several prominent Catholic leaders and organizations have taken to social media to share prayer initiatives nationwide.
1) EWTN’s "Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation"
EWTN features the "Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation." This novena provides prayer “that challenges us to a deeper conversion to Christ and a more generous life of charity,” according to the introduction to the Novena. “With these intentions in mind, we will turn to Mary and meditate on the graces of her life…”
2) Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Chad Ripperger
Father Chad Ripperger, a well-known Catholic priest and exorcist, also wrote a prayer consecrating the 2024 election to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here's the election consecration prayer:
3) Hallow App Election Prayer Campaign & Election Prayers
Aside from the election prayer campaign, the Hallow App is featuring official election prayers. They offer short prayers for peaceful elections, prayers, bible verses, prayers from former presidents, and reflections.
Aleteia also joined in to feature Hallow’s election prayer challenge.
4) Catholic Vote's American Saints Novena
Catholic Vote created a special American Saints election novena that ranges from Saint Katharine Drexel to Blessed Miguel Pro.
5) Bishop Michael Burbidge's Prayer for Our Nation
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Virginia shared a message on YouTube reminding Catholics of our personal responsibility to vote faithfully.
"Our votes matter because they form—or deform—our national character, our society, and our laws," the bishop states. "By our vote, God gives us the gift of participating as a free people who have the moral responsibility to build an ever more virtuous political community—one where our elected officials uphold the common good."
Here's Bishop Burbidge's prayer below:
6) Cardinal Wilton Gregory's Prayer and Reflections
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., offered prayer and reflections heading into the election.
7) The USCCB's Novena for Faithful Citizenship & Post-Election Prayers
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also shared a novena for Faithful Citizenship, occurring Nov. 1-9.
They also featured a message from Pope Francis’s 2013 Morning Meditation in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
“We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern."
In addition, the USCCB shared prayers for both before and after the election.
8) Archbishop William Lori's Call to Prayer
Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, Maryland also urged the faithful to pray before heading to the polls.
9) Eucharistic Adoration
Many Catholic churches across the nation are offering longer adoration times today, so the faithful can spend more time with the Lord.