Casting your ballot shows respect to the memory of those
who made the ultimate sacrifice, one
which enables the rest of us to exercise our right to vote.
The following prayer was used to open a meeting I recently attended. I wanted to share it with you as we approach Election Day.
An Election Season Prayer
God, I know that I don’t have to get angry. I don’t have to get worked up.
I don’t have to get depressed. And I don’t have to throw anything at the TV.
I just have to use my conscience and vote.
So help me remember what is taught in our houses of worship,
especially about the poor, the refugee, the migrant,
the sick, the homeless, the unborn, the disabled,
the hungry, the elderly and the lonely.
Help me remember the “least” among us,
and help me ponder in my heart how to cast my vote for the good of all.
God, I know that no candidate is perfect,
because the last time I checked, I’m not perfect either.
So free me of the burden of having to vote for someone
who satisfies all my desires for a candidate.
My candidate will be imperfect, like me.
Help me to be grateful for the ability to vote, because not everyone has that privilege.
And when I meet people voting for someone else,
help me to take a deep breath and give them the benefit of the doubt,
because they are following their consciences, too.
Help me remember that even though they sometimes drive me nuts,
I don’t have to argue with them, I don’t have to convince them,
I don’t have to hate them, and I don’t have to demonize them.
And when the election is over, help me do one thing, work for unity.
Because I know that’s what you want.
Amen.