October 30, 2024 | by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, NCNW National Chaplain and President of Skinner Leadership Institute
Almighty God, who reigns over the affairs of humans, we humble ourselves before your awesome and holy presence. Lord, our nation is on the verge of a collective nervous breakdown over the results of the coming election. Both sides are drowning in anxiety and fear over the depressing possibility that the opposing political side might win. Some fear one side will lead our nation toward a deepening multi-racial democracy weakening White political power. Some fear the other side will lead toward a Hitler-type, post-democratic dictatorship propped by cult-like Christian nationalism, without constitutional guardrails or sacred freedoms for vulnerable populations. Either way, the threat of political violence is a looming reality.
Help us, O God, to cease fretting; be still and know that after this election, you are still God. You are still the prayer-answering, miracle-working, promise-keeping, bondage-breaking Creator of heaven and earth. You are the same God who caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and mighty armies and unjust governments to crumble and fall.
What matters to you, Lord God is how we treat our neighbor of every race, background, and political persuasion. Remind us that our neighbor with opposing political views is not a demon, but a human to be valued, created in your image, the Imago Dei, and worthy of our respect and dignity--even as we seek a more just America.
Help us, O God, to look, not to a party, nor to a flawed human candidate, but "look to the hills from which comes our help, the Maker of heaven and earth"(Psalm 121:1,2). Help us to know that our will for America may not be your will. Remind us that no matter who wins we still have 46 million poor people of every race, laws that favor police officers over victimized citizens of color; a fair immigration system waiting to be erected, women victimized by inadequate health care, courts that need to render justice to the poor and oppressed, not the rich and mighty; and global wars supported by our taxes crushing your most vulnerable children that must cease. Help us today, to surrender our will to yours, knowing that as God omnipotent, you will have the last word, even over elections! AMEN