With the northeastern third of the country in the destructive grip of Hurricane Sandy, and the presidential election just one week away, about 500 Madison area residents representing over a half dozen churches gathered at City Church, 4909 E. Buckeye Road, to pray this evening.
“It’s not about the Democratic and Republican parties,” said Tom Flaherty, senior pastor of the host church. “We are praying for the will of God to be done. We need to get our eyes on God tonight.”
The 90-minute prayer meeting was divided into four sections, after the introduction:
- Repentance for the church
- Repentance for the sins of our nation
- Prayer for election night
- Prayer for revival in the church and a spiritual awakening in our nation
As the prayers began, Pastor Flaherty said, “Let’s engage God together, that’s what this night is about. We are asking for mercy, we deserve judgment.” He quoted II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
A pastor from a local church opened and closed each section, and a total of 18 other men and women walked to the front of the church and prayed prayers aloud. President Barack Obama and governor Mitt Romney were both prayed for by name, but mostly the prayers expressed deep repentance for the spiritual state of our nation, our cities, our churches, our families, and our homes.
UPDATE: Another election-related church response – election day eucharist.
Here’s a website: http://electiondaycommunion.org/
Milwaukee churches hope to bring peace on election day – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel