Partners in Mission,
Today, November 3rd, is election day across our nation. The deep divisions within our country and in our communities have been on full display throughout the campaign season. Record numbers of individuals have already voted. As more go to the polls today, it is important for us as people of faith to take some time to pray, reflect, and prepare ourselves for the reality of continued division in the coming days and weeks. Due to various rulings on how and when early votes and mail in votes can be tallied, it is highly unlikely election results for all races will be known quickly.
During the course of the day today, we are offering a number of resources for our communities and leaders. These are outlined in the above graphic. That Zoom login information in clickable format is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82173424295?pwd=TGVaQTVDakpWYjFnSGhnSGVMM0RLUT09 | Meeting ID: 821 7342 4295 | Passcode: 837247. Short coaching conversations for leaders are available as well as prayer, worship, and time for learning and conversation. Regardless of the outcome of these elections, the call of the church to witness to Christ and to be people who work for peace and justice continues. In our deeply divided world, we have a Word to proclaim of God’s love for all creation made manifest in Christ. Please join us for these events today and in prayer. The following prayer was slightly modified from one provided by our ELCA Worship Staff. There are many resources at www.elca.org/Resources/Worship#Liturgy
Everlasting God, source of all liberty, before whom every earthly ruler must bow and bend the knee, we lay our nation before you as we prepare for an election. Breathe upon us your Spirit of wisdom and discernment. Grant all who seek public office the mind of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for the freedom of the oppressed. Hold before us those who face uncertain futures, or who have no voice in our political process. Uphold and safeguard poll workers and election officials in their work. Spare us from the crushing weight of cynicism.Give us grace to speak courageously, but with love, without which our words are noise and we are nothing. Gather us together for the sake of our neighbors. In humility, knowing that not all share our confession, we p ray in the name of Jesus, Our Savior and Lord. Amen.