Redeeming Barth: Evening Prayers: A Vigil on the Eve of a National Election

Evening Prayers:

A Vigil on the Eve of an Election

St. Richard’s Episcopal Church

Winter Park, Florida

Preface:

It has long been the practice of the Church to pray for the nation-state and its leaders. The Episcopal Church since its inception has included prayers for its national leaders as a routine part of all of its liturgical services. Such practice recognizes that while we citizens of a democratic republic are ultimately responsible for our own self-governance, as in all things, we engage those duties ever in need of divine guidance.

On Tuesday, November 3, our nation will once again engage our quadrennial electoral process in which officials from our President and Vice-President down to our local officials will be chosen. But unlike in other years, this election occurs in a context of unprecedented fear and confusion over what are seen as high-stakes outcomes.

We have become a deeply divided people, prone to see those who do not share our views as enemies. In the process, the image of G-d our countrymen and women bear has become increasingly difficult for us to recognize. We are more polarized as a nation than at any time since the Civil War. Indeed, our nation itself appears to be nearing the edge of an existential precipice beyond which there may be no return.

If there has ever been a time when G-d’s guidance has been needed, it is now. And so we come to this Vigil on the Eve of an Election to ask for clarity in seeing the issues that confront us, for forbearance in our dealings with those with whom we disagree, for divine wisdom to know the right decisions to make, and for strength and courage to engage that course of action.

This night we humbly beseech the G_d we have long believed to have blessed and preserved us to be present with us in our time of trial. This night we humbly pray that G-d will once again bless America.

[Silence]

Opening Acclamation

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fail. Psalm 16:7, 8

Confession

Let us confess our sins against God, our neighbors and ourselves.

Silence may be kept.

Officiant and People together

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us;

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Absolution

God forgives you [+]

Forgive others;

forgive yourself.

Be at Peace. AMEN.

[New Zealand Prayerbook]

Psalm 145, Exaltabo te, Deus

1 I will extol you, my God and King,

and bless your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you,

and praise your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall laud your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendour of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,

and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The Lord is good to all,

and his compassion is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your faithful shall bless you.

11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,

and tell of your power,

12 to make known to all people your* mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendour of your* kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,

and gracious in all his deeds.*

14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

16 You open your hand,

satisfying the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is just in all his ways,

and kind in all his doings.

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;

he also hears their cry, and saves them.

20 The Lord watches over all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,

and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.

At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lessons

Deuteronomy 10

17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, 18 who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them with food and clothing. 19 You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.

After the Lesson the Reader will say

Here ends the Reading.

The Response

The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Matthew 5

43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

After the Lesson the Reader will say

Here ends the Reading.

The Response

The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *

to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *

whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Prayers

Jesus said, when you pray, say these words:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

A Litany for a National Election

Loving God, creator of this world who is the source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions.

Intercessor: God, our creator,