It is time to pray for the European elections

Any election season usually comes with some tension in society.

Media coverage included some intense campaigning and heated political debates. We will all have to decide whether to participate in the vote, and if we vote, which party or candidate to support.

Christians may vote for different political parties but there is great significance in praying together in humility and unity for our nations and our continent.

Here are suggestions for united intercession. We invite people to pray in non-partisan ways so that all Christians can say “Amen”.

Let’s pray for:

1. respect for the dignity of all candidates, both online and offline,
2. the well-being of all candidates and their families during this stressful time,
3. peaceful and safe campaigning and voting,
4. truth to be sought, seen and heard, valued and accepted,
5. opportunities for respectful debate, with a variety of voices being heard,
6. growing support for core biblical values, including love, justice, and freedom (as introduced in the article Considering politics with Biblical lenses), truth, righteousness, forgiveness, integrity, respect, service and generosity,
7. the success of politicians who will
   • preserve and strengthen democracy and freedom,
   • fight injustice and work for the good of all, including the weakest and most vulnerable,
   • be a blessing to their nation and all its inhabitants, but also work well with politicians from other nations.
8. The next 5 years of the European Union to be a period
   1. where mutual respect and listening increase, in political debate and in society as a whole,
   2. where every Member State of the EU is able to be and to offer its best to the whole and to be humble enough to learn from others,
   3. where there is greater understanding of the value of every human being,
   4. where wise and just decisions are made to face the many economic, technological, environmental, social and security challenges Europe faces, and where the weakest are better protected,
   5. where freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are advanced, both in Europe and through Europe’s external relations.
   6. where decisions are made at the appropriate level – European, national, local,
   7. where there is a stronger connection and trust between politicians and officials and the citizens of the European Union.

Julia Doxat-Purser, socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance. This article was first published y the EEA and re-published with permission.