It’s been a week since the 2016 Elections here in the Philippines, and so much has happened. We all had our respective hopes and dreams for the outcome of the elections, and many of us prayed very hard for God’s guidance and wisdom for choosing our new leaders.

Many of us, too, feel disappointed about the (presumed) winners of the elections, while many still are alarmed that the elections showed just how “forgetful” a nation we can be, particularly when it comes to serious events of the past like Martial Law, which is certainly not just a “thingy“.

Some of us, or perhaps even a great number of us, have even lost friends or had conflicts with family members during the campaign period pre-elections, and are now trying to mend broken bridges. Or are moving on, forgetting the past and trying to forgive those who have hurt us.

Others may be fearful for what is to come for our country, or excited, or even nonchalant. Or maybe experiencing a mixture of emotions.

I find it fitting then that we Catholics just celebrated Pentecost yesterday, because God is reminding us that we have the Holy Spirit — His Spirit — and because of His Spirit, we can face the future with courage.

This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. — 1 John 4:4

Whatever the state of your heart and mind, wherever you are at now, I invite you: Let us pray. I hope this post-election prayer for the Philippines will help fan aflame the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and that we as one people will be empowered to know, love and serve God more, and do what we can to serve our country and love our fellow countrymen — including our new leaders in government!

Father God, we come before You in prayer.

With humble hearts, we repent of our sinfulness — as individuals and as a nation.

The recent campaign period and elections became a sort of battlefield for us, and we come before You, broken, hurting, afraid, yet hopeful.

We are hopeful because we believe in Your word and in Your promises.

Lord, we know that You have a plan for each of us, and that You have a plan for our country.

Please help us to hold on to that truth, and to proclaim it to our fellow countrymen.

We lift up to You our new leaders in government, especially our new President and Vice President. 

Like us, they are not perfect, Lord. They are mere human beings, and they are sinners. They make mistakes. Just like us.

So we ask for extra wisdom, guidance, and understanding for them. Help them to always choose to do what is right and just and morally upright. 

We also pray for each of our leaders to have true “servant hearts” — to think of others before themselves; to be willing to sacrifice their personal interests for the sake of the common good. To be true men and women for others.

We pray for the people surrounding our leaders — their families, friends, colleagues, advisers, etc. May they be sources of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement.

We pray for us, Lord, the “ordinary citizens.” There has been much strife online and offline among many of us, and we need Your healing, Your grace, Your forgiveness, Your compassion.

We need You to change us, Lord. We need You to help us be the change we wish to see in our country and in the world. 

We need You to remind us that there is always hope in You. That we should never stop trying to be good citizens because You see our efforts. You see our hearts.

Lord, we need You. Come change us, break us if need be, so You can use us as You deem fit.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

If you believe in the power of prayer, especially as a community of believers, please feel free to share this post with others. Together, let’s start a prayer revolution for the Philippines! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!