Monday’s presidential inauguration may edge the Los Angeles wildfires off the top of my news feed. Momentarily, at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About that, and results of the election: I’m not political.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I haven’t and won’t frantically declare one candidate or party as America’s Only Hope, or hysterically denounce another as That Which Will Destroy Our Fair Nation. Maybe that’s why I’m not giddy over the election results. Or plunged into the depths of despair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do, however, give a rip about what happens in my country and in my world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have precious little control over national and world events, but there’s something I can<\/strong> do: pray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I added a few prayers to my daily routine last month, including this one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n God of all nations, We ask for your protection and guidance We lift up all our duly elected leaders and public servants, Amen. The prayer is labeled “Prayer After an Election”. But to me it looks like one that’s appropriate for any time. Particular when, as a nation, we’re coming off a publicity bender like last year’s political pandemonium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Judging from what I’m seeing in my news feed, this year will be more of the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the ‘up’ side, decades of noticing disconnects between what partisan doomsayers and publicists say and what the rest of us live with \u2014 I don’t think this year will bring either utter disaster or the dawn of a golden age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think praying is a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asking for help with what I can do: that strikes me as reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is why I’m sharing this prayer. No pressure: but it’s short, the goals seem reasonable, and asking for “protection and guidance” sounds like a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve talked about this sort of thing before:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monday’s presidential inauguration may edge the Los Angeles wildfires off the top of my news feed. Momentarily, at least. About that, and results of the election: I’m not political. I haven’t and won’t frantically declare one candidate or party as … Continue reading <\/a>A Prayer for Healing, Help, and Guidance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Father of the human family,
we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise
and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy
in these United States of America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
for all who devote themselves to the common good,
working for justice and peace at home and around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
those who will serve us as president, as legislators and judges,
those in the military and law enforcement.
Heal us from our differences and unite us, O Lord,
with a common purpose, dedication, and commitment to achieve liberty and justice
in the years ahead for all people,
and especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Prayer After an Election<\/a>, Prayers and Devotions, USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops))<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Why Share This Prayer?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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