A Prayer for This Election

Much of what I share here is about grief, specifically my own around being a loss mother. But part of my grief journey involved parenting in other ways, like becoming an advocate for children in my community. And today as I think about this election, I am voting like a parent not just to my living child but thinking about the children in my community as well.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We know a political election will not usher in your beloved community, O God. We know that voting for one person or another in a system that runs on funneling money into campaigns instead of social safety nets will not bring justice.

And we also know that voting matters. And that who we vote for matters.

When the disciples argued over who was the greatest, you brought a little child to them instead, saying, “Whoever welcomes this child welcomes me” (Luke 9:48).

We have not welcomed your children. 545 children separated from their parents at the border are still unable to be reunited with their families. George Floyd was not a child, but he called out for his mama. And the climate is changing but our policies and courts choose profits for corporations over the future of our children again and again. The world does not have to be like this.

Our vote matters, but our work will continue no matter Tuesday's outcome.

As we wait for the results of this election, we lift up the children to you and ask that you open our hearts. No matter the results, teach us to welcome the children. No matter the results, guide us to challenge our representatives to govern for children, not corporations. No matter the results, remind us that we have a lot of work to do to help make earth look a little more like heaven. Amen.