Liturgy as we Wait for Election Returns

Liturgy As We Wait for Election Returns

Guest Writer: Karen DuBert

Oh LORD, hear us when we pray. 

Hear beyond our pleas for victory, security, and comfort. 

Hear the beat of hearts fearful of a catastrophic outcome:

Fear of everything “the other side” will do—should it win. 

Calm our nerves. 

Breathe peace into our imaginations. 

Remind us that countless past elections predicted dire outcomes 

(Generated by frenzied media) which never came. 

Whether we fear the spectres of socialism, communism, 

Fascism, dictatorship, or white supremacy 

—instil in us Confidence in You. 

Though we’ve been told this world “is not our home”— 

This planet is our responsibility, our one job. 

Entrusted by You, Almighty, Ancient One, 

You empowered us to protect our planet and one another. 

But we chose ourselves: 

How untrustworthy we have proved to be 

In our care of one another and this precious earth. 

With lavish resources You blessed us: 

Gifting scientists, farmers, artists, scholars. 

Teachers, doctors, mothers, and fathers— 

All to sustain Your creation-gift: 

To enrich the earth and sea around us and care for each other 

All of each other. 

Now we face an election, certain that “the other side” is 

Hell-bent, destructive, selfish, irresponsible, and ultimately evil. 

So we succumb to fear that focuses on what we stand to lose: 

Fear that our entitlements will be stripped, 

Our merit lost in a sea of injustice. 

We dare not ask You to spin this election or that our candidate win, 

Rather we accept that our lives 

Are a reflection of many imperfect choices— 

Our own and others— 

What, together, we have made of this world-gift. 

It may be that our candidate will win— 

Or the other side may triumph. 

Let us not attribute it to Your will 

When clearly we are the voters. 

Show us how to lean in and learn from the outcome— 

From either outcome: left or right, success or failure, 

Good or evil, war or peace. 

You are the Life-Heart of All Things. 

Not us, not a candidate, 

Not a single politician or policy maker: You. 

Until we Rest in the Reality 

Above our petty elections and turbulent history, 

We will not know our Life-Heart 

Or Your design for putting us here. 

Teach us the Stillness we need 

To know You are God.

 Amen

Karen DuBert

Joanna Seibert  joannaseibert.com

Election Day

Election Day

“For an Election

“Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of a president and other officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected, and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”—The Book of Common Prayer, p. 822.

It is hard not to think about the election today. I remember all those running for office, some of whom I know personally. I have looked through a small window to see what a noble sacrifice it has been for some of them—for their families, their bodies, their minds, their hearts, and their spirits. 

It must be difficult for candidates to hold onto their core values throughout the entire experience. How hard it must be to stay truthful. We see this at every turn. We hear people saying things they did and will do after the election that we know did not happen and that they will never allow to happen.

That is a great price to pay, win, and lose your integrity. More than any other people, politicians may be susceptible to bribes from people with deep pockets who offer them money to support their programs or businesses. Winning becomes so expensive or essential that all other values go by the wayside. May this be a lesson for us all, as we are tempted to compromise to reach a goal. 

While the polls are open, our Daughters of the King chapter will pray in St. Mark’s chapel for those running for office. They all need our prayers. We thank them for their courage to stand up and try to make a difference in this world, often at significant risk.

We pray that we will all accept the election’s results as we continue to pray for both the winners and those who lose.

We also must pray that all elected to office can keep their core values and become the people they say they are and the people God created them to be.

While we are at it, let us pray the same prayer for ourselves.

Grace Chapter Daughters of the King at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, Little Rock, will lead a prayer vigil on Election Day, November 5, 2024. The chapel at Saint Mark’s will be open for prayers from 8:30 a.m. after Morning Prayer to 4:30 p.m.

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Change the World with Love

Change the World with Love

“Jesus had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the history of the world, and he took it by deciding that Gentiles could be full members of the Church. Every so often, we have an opportunity to change our personal story by making this decision or that.

Occasionally, we even have a chance to shape the nation’s history and the world. What decision is God inviting you to make at this stage in your life that will shake up your world?”—Br. James Koester.Society of Saint John the Evangelist.

I do so earnestly believe this. Each of us has an opportunity to change the world every day, every hour. We can bring love or hatred into this world every day. I know from experience that those who bring hate have been wounded, some drastically more than others. Booker Washington reminded us not to be dragged so low that we learn to hate in return.

 I know those who bring love have met others who shared love and have learned from them and are changed by them. This is our daily ministry to bring love, love, and kindness to everyone we touch, see, and hear. This is what I wish to leave for my children and grandchildren. I want them to know they are loved.

My dream for this country that we so dearly love is for the people of this country to know they are being guided by people who genuinely care about them.

Bishop Curry reminds us in his book; Love is the Way that love is a verb. It is action. Love wants the best for the other person. Love works for the well-being of someone other than ourselves. We learn about it by seeing it in action in others who love.

We learn to imitate it. CS Lewis teaches us to “act as if.” Recovery people tell us, “We fake it until we make it.” Slowly, love becomes part of our being. We also know that God is the one who changes us. Our job is to put ourselves in position for this change.

So, this is our decision during this election tomorrow. Do we vote for those who lead with hatred and division, or do we vote for people who lead with love? This is the same decision we make every day. Do we vote for love or hatred in our lives?

Love never dies. Love is what we take with us when we die. Love is the only thing we leave on this earth.   This is our choice. Is our gift to the universe hatred or love?

Joanna  joannaseibert.com https://www.joannaseibert.com/