Prayer during the election year - 2016

At our masses last weekend, we prayed for our upcoming elections at the end of the homily 

     God of Mercy and Compassion, you have given us the gift of a free country and the gift of citizenship. As Catholics, you have given us the responsibility to participate in working with our country and to allow the Christian values of the Gospel to lead us in all of our actions. 
      During this election year, may we take our social responsibility to register to vote, to pray, to study the issues and the candidates and then vote from our Gospel values this November. May our choices take into account the poor, the vulnerable our common home, and the values of the Gospel of Life. We pray for our current elected leaders, that wisdom and prudence may give them the strength to make decisions that are right, just, and true. We pray for our future leaders, to let them know our concerns for peace, justice, and integrity. We ask that your Holy Spirit be with all of us during this time of elections. We pray this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  AMEN. 

Adapted from a prayer written by Sister Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS, website:
http://www.chicagofranciscans.org/downloads/Prayers-2016-Election-Year.pdf