October 31, 2026
It’s election week!
TPO’s team will be praying with you on Monday and Wednesday in our Praying the News Election Series audio devotionals. Sign up here to get the 5-minute guided prayers texted to you for free!
Happy Saturday,
More than 43 million Americans have already cast their ballots, and millions more will head to the polls Tuesday. In all the noise of election season, it’s easy to be swept up into believing that Election Day’s outcome will totally change your life’s trajectory. But believers are offered a glimpse into heaven, where a lot of fuss is constantly being made over a greater king:
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. They said with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Revelation 5:11–14 (CSB)
In this vision, every creature sings praise to the slain Lamb, Who’s worthy of all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. He sits on this throne unchallenged. He has no term limit, and He is in perfect control of the entire world.
While our vote will have real effects on our communities, this vision reminds us that the outcome cannot change our ultimate future. The whole earth will be made new, and every creature will bend the knee to the Lamb Who was slain.
Let’s pray for eyes firmly fixed on heaven’s throne room:
King of Heaven,
You are holy on Your throne, resplendent with glory,
ruling by a perfect law
and presiding over an eternal kingdom free from sin.
But campaigns and Congress are unlike Your throne room.
You don’t need to slam Your opponents or schmooze to earn votes,
being perfectly sovereign
and unchallenged in Your rule.
You don’t have to make compromises
or choose between the lesser of two evils,
ruling with perfect righteousness and justice.
You don’t lie, spin, or manipulate in back-room deals
to get Your way,
blamelessly governing with incorruptible power.
But You appoint leaders to govern for our good,
and You call us to seek the prosperity of our cities.
So in these midterms, may Your will be done.
As candidates campaign, keep them from mere
performance or posturing.
Protect them from contempt for their opponents
and help them strive for transparency,
so that whether they win or lose,
their character might be grown.
As voters weigh their choices, give wisdom and prudence.
Quiet the suspicions that estrange and divide us
from our neighbors.
Still our hasty, harsh tongues.
Open our ears, soften our hearts,
and make ready our feet
to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You.
God of Comfort,
use Tuesday’s outcome to work renewal
in us and in our communities.
We crave Your presence—
so near that You answer before we can call
and provide before we can ask.
We crave Your peace—
the day when the staunchest Republican
and the most devoted Democrat
will live in unshakeable friendship
and permanent harmony.
As we wait for that day, seeking the good of this temporary home,
grow our longing for Your eternal kingdom
and make us fit for it by the power of the Holy Spirit,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Recommended Resource
I’m in the era of chores + audiobooks after bedtime rituals, and I love sneaking in a Scripture session. But listening to a robot read Leviticus is… suboptimal. Dwell’s audio Bible is so much better. I can choose my favorite human voice (shoutout to Gregory), background music, translation, and my sweet-spot speed. Check out Dwell.*
*from TPO’s partners
Update on Praying the News: Liturgies for Reading the Headlines
This week, we workshopped the interior design of the book and finalized typesetting! It’s beautiful… and it’s over 350 pages of prayers to help you bring the headlines before the Lord. Peek inside and reserve your copy here!
Prayer Requests Dropbox
How can we pray for you? Click here to leave us a prayer request. Our staff will pray for each one.
Questions or comments about this edition? Hit reply and let us know.
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.