(CBCP)

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday, Nov. 26, issued a prayer for the 2022 national and local elections which should be recited during Sunday Masses.

" enjoin all parishes, shrines, and chapels in the country to pray the Prayer for 2022 Elections prepared by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas in all our Sunday Masses," said CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles in Circular No. 21-53.

"The prayer is similar to the Oratio Imperata but its focus is on the 16 values enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution," he added.

The circular was issued in line with the request of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) for an endorsement of its "Prayer Power Campaign" by asking the public to "collectively pray for a peaceful, credible, and transparent" elections.

"The abovementioned prayer will be launched on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021," said Valles.

But since parishes already "have a number of prayers being recited during Sunday Masses," the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy suggested that parishes pray the Oratio Imperata for Protection against the COVID-19 before the Mass, said Valles.

The prayer for the 2022 elections should be recited every first and third Sunday of the month, and the prayer for the Synod on Synodality every second and fourth Sunday of the month.

“It is suggested that it be said after the post-communion prayer of the Mass,” said Valles.

Below is the copy of the English and Filipino translations of the Prayer for 2022 Elections:

(English)
PRAYER FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Leader: Let us pray that the forthcoming national and local elections may truly reflect the will of the Lord who guides the destinies of nations.
For every petition, let us pray together:

Response: Deliver us, Lord.
From coercion, intimidation, violence and terrorism ...

From dishonesty, lies and all distortion of truth...
From bribery, graft and all conspiracy for fraud...

From gullibility to the deceptive and blindness of perspective...
From threats, intimidation and perverse language...

Leader: Let us pray together:

Response: Hear us, Lord

That conscience may always be our ultimate norm ...
That the common good may always be our highest goal ...

That human dignity may be respected all the time ...
That the poor and the weak may always have the priority ...
That care for creation may never be ignored ...

That solidarity may guide the path of peace and development ...
That genuine fear of God and love of neighbors may guide those who seek public office ...

Leader: Let us pray.

Altogether: Shepherd of souls and Savior of the nations, politics is your gift to us, a call to serve others and grow in holiness. Guide our politics as you guide our lives. May our
political engagement for voters and candidates bring glory to your loving name and help us grow in holiness, forever and ever. Amen.

(Filipino)
PANALANGIN PARA SA HALALAN

Tagapamuno: Manalangin tayo upang sa papalapit na pambansa at panglokal na halalan ay tunay na maghari ang kalooban ng Diyos, na Siyang gumagabay sa lahat ng bansa.

Sama-sama nating idalangin: Iligtas mo kami, Panginoon.

Mula sa pamimilit, pananakot, karahasan, at terorismo ...
Mula sa panloloko, pagsisinungaling, at pagbaluktot sa katotohanan ...
Mula sa panunuhol, kasakiman, at sabwatan upang makapandaya ...
Mula sa kawalang-muwang sa panlilinlang at makitid na pananaw ...
Mula sa pagbabanta, pananakot, at lapastangang pananalita ...

Tagapamuno: Sama-sama nating idalangin: Dinggin Mo kami, Panginoon.

Upang ang aming budhi ang siyang gawing tunay na pamantayan ...
Upang ang kabutihan ng nakararami ang aming pinakamataas na layunin ...
Upang ang dignidad ng tao ay palagiang igalang ...
Upang ang kapos-palad at mahihina ay pag-ukulan ng higit na pansin ...
Upang ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan ay hindi ipagwalang-bahala ...
Upang ang pagkakaisa ay magbigay-daan sa landas ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran ...
Upang ang banal na pagkatakot sa Diyos at pag-ibig sa kapwa ang maging gabay ng mga
nagnanais manungkulan sa pamahalaan ...

Tagapamuno: Manalangin tayo.

Lahat: Pastol ng aming kaluluwa at Tagapagligtas ng sanlibutan, ang pulitika ay Iyong kaloob sa amin; isang paanyaya upang maglingkod sa iba at lumago sa kabanalan. Gabayan Mo ang pulitika sa aming bansa katulad ng pag-gabay mo sa amin. Nawa ang aming pulitikal na pakikilahok para sa mga botante at kandidato ay magdulot ng kaluwalhatian sa Iyong mahal na ngalan at matulungan din kaming yumabong sa kabutihan, ngayon at magpasawalang hanggan. Amen.

#Prayer for 2022 Elections

CBCP issues prayer for 2022 polls