The election season is in full force. The Rev. Dr. Anne McKee, campus minister at my alma mater Maryville College, offers this poignant reflection on the connection between prayer and voting. I invite you to watch this two-minute video.
Anne suggests that prayer puts her in touch with what she is most grateful for in her life. She becomes more aware of what she wants- not only for herself but for others. What kind of community do you want for yourself, for the people you love, and for the people you'll never meet?
The Episcopal Church has been producing some fabulous resources for this Election Season. On Friday in E-Grace Notes, keep a lookout for a list of resources on ways to prayerfully engage this election season. One resource that we love comes from Forward Movement and the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations who "are calling Episcopalians and all others to join in A Season of Prayer: For an Election."
"We come together, asking God for courage and wisdom, thanking God for love and joy. As we move toward the election of leaders for the United States, may we all join in a season of prayer, committing to offer to God our fears and frustrations, our hopes and dreams.
A novena is an ancient tradition of nine days of devotional prayers, often with a specific intention. In this case, we pray for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation.
Starting Tuesday, October 27th and continuing through the day after the election, we invite you to pray for the election of leaders in the United States. Materials are available below in English and Spanish for use at home or to share with your congregation. These prayers, drawn from The Book of Common Prayer, can be printed out and tucked in a Bible or prayer journal."
A PDF version of the prayers can be found here.
You can sign up for e-mail updates about the novena here.
This election season, consider how this is also a season of prayerful reflection and action. We encourage you to sign up to receive the e-mail updates about the novena or to develop your own prayer practice as election day nears.
A prayer for this week used by Emmanuel, Alexandria, courtesy of the Rev. Joani Peacock (From Emmanuel, Russell Road, Alexandria, Based on the Braver Angels' "With Malice Toward None" pledge.):
God, source of all wisdom, we seek your guidance. Regardless of how the coming election turns out, help us to not hold hate, disdain, or ridicule for those who voted differently than ourselves. Whether we are pleased or upset about the outcome, we will seek to understand the concerns and aspirations of those who voted differently and will look for opportunities to work with people with whom we disagree. We pray through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
