my election day prayer

So tomorrow is the big day, and my stomach is in knots. I don’t expect I will sleep much tonight, and tomorrow night’s going to be shot, too, no matter what the outcome. 

Whatever happens, this is my election day prayer. Or maybe a prayer for the morning after? That probably makes sense. I pray that whoever wins, whoever holds the highest office of the land, whoever takes control of the House and the Senate, whoever rises to leadership in statehouses across this country, that they put aside partisanship for the sake of partisanship, that they come to the table ready to work with each other, not against each other, for the people they are elected to represent. Not half the people, not the majority of them, but all of them. I’m so tired of party ruling above all else, of political stalemates in which one party blames the other blames the other as we all fall further down the rabbit hole.

I love my country so much. I love its rich history, the things about America that make me want to celebrate, and the things that make me want to cry. I believe we can do better for each other and I want desperately – desperately – to believe we still want to. But it’s not just about who we cast a vote for every four years, or two years, every six. It’s about what we do in between and I hope and pray that the people that have worked so hard during this campaign cycle continue their campaigns. Not for an individual candidate (please God, no), but to do the work we so desperately need to do to help the people of this country get back on their feet again. We may philosophically disagree on the strategies to get there, but we all compromise in our daily lives and I hope beyond the telling of it that we can find that same space again in our public discourse and our public policy.

There are kids out there that are hungry, there are vets that are homeless, there are families that have done everything they were supposed to do who can’t even manage to make it paycheck-to-paycheck and we have to do better for them. For ourselves. Whatever happens tomorrow, whoever wins, I wish we could all commit to doing that work. To finding our common ground rather than drawing more lines in the sand.

Just like Mulder, I want to believe.

And with apologies to those for whom the prayer thing is over the top, a particularly apt one from the Book of Common Prayer:

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen.

Amen.