This prayer, originally published in 2008, is updated for the 2020 election. Download the PDF at the bottom of the page for the prayer in Hebrew, English and transliteration.
Behold, I am intending through my vote / through my prayer
to seek peace for this country, as it is written (Jer. 29:7):
“Seek the peace of the city where I cause you to roam
and pray for her to YHVH (Adonai/God),
for in her peace you all will have peace.”
May it be Your will, YHVH, that votes be counted faithfully,
and may You count my vote as if I had fulfilled this verse
with all my power.
May You give a listening heart to whomever we elect
and may it be good in Your eyes to raise for us a good government
that will bring healing, justice and peace to all living in this land
and to all the world, and upon JerusalemLit. City of peace From the time of David to the Roman destruction, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the spiritual and governmental center of the Jewish people. During the long exile, Jews longed to return to Jerusalem and wrote poems, prayers, and songs about the beloved city. In 1967, with the capture of the Old City, Jerusalem was reunited, becoming "the eternal capital of Israel." Still, the longing for peace is unfulfilled.,
a government that will honor the image of God
in all humanity and in Creation,
for rulership is Yours.
Just as I have participated / Just as I will participate in the election,
so may I merit to do good works and to repair the world
through all my efforts,
and through the act of… [add your pledge]… which I pledge to do
on behalf of all living creatures,
in remembrance of the covenant of Noah’s waters
to protect and to not destroy the earth and her plenitude.
** Give to all the peoples of this country the strength and the will to pursue righteousness and to seek peace as a unified force to uproot racism and violence and to make healing, good life and peace flourish here and throughout the world and fulfill for us the verse (Ps. 90:17): “May the pleasure of Adonai our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; make the work of our hands endure.”
Special paragraph for 2020 election based on Birkat Haminim, which can be added at ** before “Give to all the peoples…”
Tear out tyranny and despotism, ruin those who cheat and deceive,
upend and overthrow those who oppress the vulnerable.
Make the reign of the arrogant disappear from the land,
and pulverize the plans of those who attack democracy.
Obstruct them, humble them, and bring on their downfall, soon, in our days.
