Biblical Discernment & A Prayer before the Election

A number of people have asked if I could offer any guidance about the upcoming election: not about how to vote (no comment there) but how to prepare to vote. Voting is an act of civic obligation. For people of faith, it is also an act of discernment. For followers of Christ, it is an act of discernment about where Christ is trying to lead each of us. And in my experience, discernment is about Bible study and prayer.

A Suggested Bible Study 

1. Find a searchable online Bible (I recommend www.biblestudytools.com).
2. In the [Search] box, enter the word "kingdom," then click on the [Search] button.
3. Under the [Bibles] tab, in the [Filter Results] box, select [The Gospels], and in the [Translation] box, select [New Revised Standard] Version.
4. Click and read every selection the resulting list, especially the passages containing the phrases "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of heaven." Jot down your thoughts and questions about each text: specifically, about what kind of kingdom/realm God wants to draw us toward here on earth. 
5. Finally, make a list of these kingdom qualities, and after each item, jot down your thoughts about how the candidate would relate to each of them.

* If you are pressed for time, you may want to limit yourself to the selections from the Gospel according to Matthew.

A Suggested Prayer
(rewrite in your own words, adding intentions from your study)

Blessed are you, Lord our God, creator of the universe,
   whose Spirit is the source of all wisdom.
Help us to understand this act of choosing our leaders,
   not just as an act civic obligation,
   but as an opportunity for prayerful discernment.
And as we exercise this discernment, help us keep in mind
   that while we may divide ourselves into political parties,
      you are neither a Democrat or a Republican;
   that we are not asked to choose
      between one candidate who is good and one who is evil,
   but between two human beings, each of whom is capable of both,
      neither of whom is capable of fully knowing or doing your will,
   just like us.
We ask, then, that you might guide us, who are imperfect vessels,
   to act of out of love and not fear,
      out of humility and not self-righteousness,
      out of selflessness rather than selfishness;
   to ask not only "What would Jesus do?"
      but also "What we Jesus have me do?"
      and "What would Jesus have me learn from how Jesus lived?"
   to choose and to vote in a way that might please you,
      that our choices, and the outcome of this election,
      might advance your kingdom.
But if we as individuals err in our choices
   or we as a people err in their outcome,
   as human beings and human institutions are apt to do,
      we ask that you work even through our mistakes,
      to do your will and bring about your kingdom.
As you always do.
   So be it.
      Amen.