Even children get the really simply things. They get that there are some things about our democracy that need improving. They get how mean people can be toward each other in an election. I think even my nine year old understands and feels the division, the negativity, and the tension in the air. How we view God really comes to the forefront when it comes to elections. Both parties, Democrat and Republican are praying to God that their candidate might win the election. There God sits, with half the country praying for their candidate and the other half of the country praying for their candidate. Do we believe in a God who will take our side? Do we believe in a God who will let half of the country "down?" If your candidate wins, half of the country will proclaim how good God is. What will the other half say about God? Can we dare to believe that God is larger than our two political parties? Can we believe that God doesn't take sides? Can we believe that God would choose whose prayers to answer? There is nothing like an election to shed some light on the image of God that we have made in our own likeness, in order to survive the unknown of an election. Surely God must be Republican. Surely God must be a Democrat. If God is for us, who can be against us? God is for the United States, for all of us. And if we can believe that, then we can believe that God knows the plans He has for us as a country. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. God is in control of the future of our country, not any one political party.
The United States is a country with a collective soul, a collective divine wellspring of energy, that God is very much a part of. Just as God works in our individual lives, God is also working and active in this country's life. And we can find a great deal of peace that no matter which candidate is elected president, we can rejoice, because the energy of God is present and alive in both parties. Hold onto your seats now.... It really doesn't matter who is president because God will work through either candidate to show our beloved country what collective thoughts need examining, what beliefs need questioning, and what actions aren't serving Love's purpose. It isn't about the two parties at all. It is about becoming awake and aware to how God is calling all fifty states to be transformed. While there is a separation of church and state, there is not a separation of God from our fifty states. God isn't religious or democratic or republican or independent. Even institutions can't separate us from the love of God because nothing can separate us from the love of God. We have nothing to worry about when it comes to this election. Do not be anxious about this election, but in everything about this election, with prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, all parties, and all votes, will guard our hearts and minds, no matter the outcome.
Two or three and many more will gather at election polls all across the country and God will be there in our midst. Pray before you vote. Pray for peace, for understanding, and for trust that the outcome will be perfect. Pray to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Pray that what our country needs to change will be changed and what doesn't need changing will be left in God's hands. Pray for both candidates, not just the one you support. Pray for our Congress, our local leaders, and our future leaders. Pray that we don't become so discouraged by our political weaknesses and sins that we can all work together to build a true democracy. Pray that the money involved can become a blessing, not a curse or a god. Pray that our attention be turned to common ground again...that we all love this country and we all want to see it to do well. Pray that our words on election day will encourage and build each other up. Pray that whoever wants to vote, will be able to vote.
Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Corinthians. Let us be patient with those of different viewpoints and ideas. Let us be kind to the people of the other parties. Let us keep no record of mistakes, lies, and judgments. Let us not delight in our perceived "wrongness" of the other, but rejoice that Truth will prevail. Instead of making the other guy the enemy, make the other guy a brother, simply trying to make his way in the world, doing the best he can, with the knowledge he has acquired in this point and time. This is a tall order, but we can do it if we keep our eyes fixed on God, and not the polls or the news or the advertisements.
We have an opportunity to be imitators of God in this election. Help us, God, get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 5: 1 We are invited by Spirit to be children of light over the next several days. As a mom, I am very aware that my children are watching and listening to my reaction to the campaign. I am teaching them how to behave during a campaign and especially how to respect the opinions and ideas of others that we may not agree with. Our children are our political future too!
When we wake up on the day after the election, we are going to be okay, even if the vote we cast didn't get the result we wanted. It is going to be okay because God is in control and our country is in God's hands. No need to panic, get angry, or lose faith. We are all going to be all right because God is with us.
A Prayer For the Election
God of All of Us,
Bless our United States.
Bless the candidates, the voters and non-voters,
and the polling sites and workers.
Keep everyone safe, polite, and respectful.
Help us, God, to say and do to others what we would want them to
say and do to us.
Inspire our reasoning, as we make important
choices for our country.
May every vote serve Love's Purpose and Intention.
Keep our words thoughtful, our actions peaceful, and our hearts faithful.
Have mercy on our country's soul.
Wash away any greed, malice, or wrong-doing.
Cleanse the motives of our collective heart.
You, O God, will never take your presence away from us
or remove your Spirit from our life. And for this we are thankful. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge for the Week
Pray for the candidate you will not vote for... not that he loses :) but that he will be blessed, protected, and feel God's love.
Reflect On Your Life
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.
Proverbs 3: 5
1. What are your fears about this election? What gives you hope for our country?
2. What do you want to see changed and/or healed in our country? How can we begin to work together?
3. How do you see voting as God's action in the world? What do you say to those who feel that their vote doesn't count? What is God saying to you about our democracy as it is?
4. Where do you see the need for our country to ask forgiveness and mercy?
5. How do your individual choices affect the collective soul of our country?
