Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Election

Picture of man voting in election

Adapted from Ephesians 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as children
through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,
which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
making known to us the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance
to the praise of his glory.

Selections from Ephesians 1:3-14 (adapted with minor wording changes from ESV)

O LORD GOD,

The first act of calling is by your command in your Word,

‘Come to me, return to me’;

The second is to let in light,

so that I see that I am called particularly,

and perceive the sweetness of the command as well as its truth,

in regard to your great love of the sinner,

by inviting him to come, though contemptible,

in regard to the end of the command,

which is fellowship with you,

in regard to your promise in the gospel,

which is all of grace.

Therefore, Lord,

I don’t need to worry if I am your elect, or loved,

for if I turn you will come to me;

Christ has promised me fellowship if I take him,

and the Spirit will pour himself out on me,

abolishing sin and punishment,

assuring me of the strength to persevere.

It is your pleasure to help all that pray for grace,

and come to you for it.

Taken from An Excerpt of “Christian Calling” in The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1975). Language modernized for corporate worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.