A Prayer for Election Day

Almighty God, 

to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: 

Guide the people of the United States 

in the election of officials and representatives; 

that, by faithful administration and wise laws, 

the rights of all may be protected 

and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, page 822

Dear Ones,

As we held Morning Prayer and Bible study this morning, and as I sit in my study at Saint Anne’s right now, the voter traffic has been constant.  People have been streaming in all morning, into the parish hall, carrying out their most basic right and duty as citizens.

I voted on my way in to church this morning. I hope you are planning to vote too. We are blessed to have this right, this freedom, this responsibility, and to join together to choose the leaders for our country.

Saint Annians hold diverse opinions and support differing ideologies.  Our votes today will not all be for the same candidates, or for the same position on constitutional amendments.  But I hope we can say with confidence that each of us is doing our best, with our votes and our engagement in political discourse, to live out what we believe to be our best faithfulness to the gospel.  We share a love of God and of our country, and a desire for good to prevail.  We are united in Christ, and in our hope for the future of our country and the world.  I hope our love for one another will allow us to respect each other as thinking, conscientious, faithful people, even as we may disagree.

A friend posted the following on her Facebook page. I think it’s a good pledge, for all citizens, of every faith.

I pledge allegiance to my country. After the election I will maintain my friendships with everyone. I won't lord it over you if my side wins and we will be friends if your side wins. I will also root for the new president to be the best president ever, to make wise decisions for the people of this country, regardless of whether I voted for him or not. The truth is, by far the majority of this country is made up of kind, hardworking wonderful people who want the best for their country, for their friends, family and want peace in the world. Let us be good winners and good sports and model good behavior for our children and grand children.

Yours in Christ,  

Lydia +