Reflecting and praying after the election

Pastor Stephen wrote this post-election reflection on Wednesday, and it's shared again here.

Dear friends,

Like many of you, I imagine, I find myself feeling heavy today. There is a great emotional charge in the air as collectively we digest yesterday's elections. Many in our community are feeling fear, or grief, or anxiety, or shock. Others are feeling relieved or joyful.

For my part, I am worried about many things: the well-being of women, immigrants, and transgender people. The future of the climate. Ongoing wars. Many of these things are directly affected by the results of the election, even as they are bigger than one election. And I am worried also about the democratic institutions and the social fabric of this country. Whoever we vote for, as Christians we are called to hold our leaders accountable for their behavior. Today we are preparing once again to inaugurate a president who has repeatedly spoken of his adversaries as enemies; who expresses admiration for dictators; who has ridiculed veterans, women, disabled people, and other children of God; and who has made it clear three times now that he would not recognize the result of any election he did not win.

Donald Trump has again won an election, and he will be this country's next President. And we will pray for him, as Christians have prayed for those who wield great power throughout the centuries, starting with the Caesars who persecuted them. We will also pray for every single one of our neighbors, especially those in greatest need. And we will continue to love and serve in Jesus' name, as we have always been called to do, following the mission of God that never changes.

That mission is described in the Baptismal Covenant we collectively renewed last Sunday for All Saints' Day:

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers? I will, with God's help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? I will, with God's help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? I will, with God's help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? I will, with God's help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will, with God's help.

I am praying for each of you today, wherever and however you find yourself. I pray you'll breathe; spend some time outdoors; notice God at work in creation, in your neighbor, and in your own body. I pray you'll do an act of kindness and service for someone else. I pray you'll feel the power of God's Holy Spirit that has anointed you as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The years ahead will bring plenty of work to do. There is always work to do. And God's love is always the beating heart of creation, and can never be defeated.

If you're looking for somewhere to be this evening, our neighbors at Knox Presbyterian/Thanksgiving Lutheran are holding a prayer vigil at 6:00 p.m. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to being together again this Sunday. Together we will strengthen each other, lift up our hearts in worship, and move forward in mission as the Body of Christ.

In Christ's love,

Stephen