How to Pray for the USA

We live in turbulent times. From savagery overseas that threatens to broach our shores to a lack of religious freedom at home, the plague of abortion, the coarsening of our culture, a lack of civility in public discourse and more, there are seemingly endless reasons to cry out. Instead of becoming discouraged by what we as individual citizens can’t impact, we can take one simple yet all-important positive action: We can pray.

On May 7, our nation will come together for the 64th Annual National Day of Prayer. This official day was created to offer all Americans, regardless of their religion, a day to celebrate their faith through prayer. As Catholics, we have our own rich heritage of prayers upon which we can draw. Here are just a few that seem especially appropriate for the struggles our nation faces today.

For Civic Leaders
God our Father,
You guide everything in wisdom and love.
Accept the prayers we offer for our nation.
In your goodness, watch over those in authority so that people everywhere
may enjoy freedom, security and peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

- Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

For Difficult Economic Times
Merciful God,
We ask that you give our leaders the wisdom to guide our nation and the world
out of the current economic crisis. Help us to protect the poor and all those who are struggling during this difficult time.
Provide for their needs and give them hope.
Open new opportunities for them and furnish the resources they need to live with dignity. Encourage those who have enough to share essential resources with those who lack the necessities of life, and to do so with humble, grateful and loving hearts.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Before an Election
Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community. We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender. We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

For Life
Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Amen.

- Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

For Peace
O God, Creator of the universe, who extends your paternal concern over every creature and guides the events of history to the goal of salvation, we acknowledge your fatherly love when you break the resistance of mankind and, in a world torn by strife and discord, you make us ready for reconciliation. Renew for us the wonders of your mercy; send forth your Spirit that he may work in the intimacy of hearts, that enemies may begin to dialogue, that adversaries may shake hands and peoples may encounter one another in harmony. May all commit themselves to the sincere search for true peace which will extinguish all arguments, for charity which overcomes hatred, for pardon which disarms revenge.

- Pope John Paul II