Reflect
The phrase “Here we go again” has likely played through a lot of our minds, no matter where we find ourselves on the political spectrum. But there’s a word we might benefit from reflecting on as the attack ads and mudslinging ratchet up in the ensuing months: indivisible. It’s in the Pledge of Allegiance, of course, but it also hearkens back to a fundamental Christian notion: that we are all one in the body of Christ.
Pray
God, giver of freedom and understanding,
As we prepare to educate ourselves on candidates, policies, and the issues affecting our nation,
Gently remind us that we are not entrenched enemies,
But rather brothers and sisters in Christ.
When the noise in our respective echo chambers
Becomes so deafening that we can’t listen to each other respectfully,
We ask that you nudge us in the direction of openness and dialogue.
Amen.
Act
Search for an image on Google of political candidates you don’t support. If you feel anger or resentment just by seeing their faces, that’s normal. In this day and age, many of us are predisposed to being triggered in this way. However, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remind yourself that these are all children of God, no matter how much we might disagree with their politics. When you open your eyes again, what do you see?
