Prayers Lifted: Here's Where You Can Pray for the 2024 Election

According to recent polling, 7 out of 10 Americans are feeling anxious about the 2024 presidential election. And as Election Day draws near, many churches and faith groups are trying to help alleviate some of that anxiety by opening their doors — and virtual spaces — for prayer.

Below are some churches and Christian organizations offering nonpartisan, online opportunities to join other in prayer before, during, and after Election Day.

1. The Leadership Conference of Women Religious will open a virtual prayer space for 24-hours of silent, contemplative prayer beginning Nov. 4 at 12 a.m. EST through Nov. 6 at 11p.m. EST. “There will be no presentations or comments during the virtual gathering,” explain the organizers, but all are invited to join for as long as you wish.
    
2. Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in Bangor, Pa., will host a pre-election call offering “time together to ground, connect in community, and reflect on what nourishes and sustains us in challenging times” on Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. EST. Donation requested with registration.
    
3. Faiths United to Save Democracy invites everyone to “join faith and civil rights leaders from across the nation as we assemble in prayer for a free, fair and safe election” on the evening before Election Day: Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. EST.
    
4. Arizona Faith Network will host an interfaith prayer vigil on Nov. 4 at 8:30 p.m. EST (6:30 p.m. MST). Both Spanish interpretation and ASL services will be provided. “All are welcome to join us as we unite in prayer for a just and peaceful election,” say the organizers. They will also host a calming, meditative Election Day prayer service on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. EST (noon MST).
    
5. St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Wa., will host an interreligious prayer vigil on Nov. 4 at 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST). All are invited to “embrace this moment of contemplation and connection, as we affirm the principles that transcend our differences, and the common cause that will bind the wounds of this great nation.”
    
6. The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation will host an Election Day prayer vigil, inviting all to join on Nov. 5 from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. EST “in prayer for unity and peace in our country and for the U.S. election.”
    
7. Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.,will livestream a variety of opportunities to pray on Election Day and the day after. On Nov. 5, they will offer an 8 a.m. EST service of morning prayer, a noon EST interfaith prayer service, a 5 p.m. EST evening prayer service, and an 8:45 p.m. EST compline service. On Nov. 6 at noon EST, they will offer a prayer service “for fair elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and the safety and well-being of the nation and our leaders.” American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for all services.
    
8. The Center For Christianity and Public Life will host two different prayer gatherings, one on Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. EST and a second post-election call on Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. EST. Both calls will “pray for nation, for the well-being of all candidates for public office, for election officials, and for voters.”
    
9. The United Church of Christ will host a prayer service on Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. EST featuring music and “the prayers and intentions collected from across the UCC.” Following the service, UCC leaders will “hold space for the fears and anxieties many feel around the election in separate breakout rooms for pastoral care concerns, spiritual grounding, and election protection tips.” The service will also be livestreamed on YouTube. 
    
10. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will host an election night prayer vigil “to help relieve anxiety, create a sense of community and be unified in Christ” on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. EST.
     
11. The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations will host a prayer service in which “Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries” on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available to all who register via the Zoom; the service will also be streamed via Facebook Live.

Want more ways to pray? Check out these election prayers from SojoAction.