O God, on this day, merely a few days after many days of hard work, uncertainties and heart-felt reflections, we gather as Americans with a distinctive identity of being Baptist Christians. We know that while we are witnessing citizens of God’s realm, we are also responsible citizens of these United States and this earthly world. For many of us, the recent elections have exhausted us but we pray today that we are receiving renewed strength and faith to embrace the harder work ahead.
Lord, we hold dearly what President-Elect Biden has said, “There are no blue states or red states, there are only the United States.” We pray for the healing of divisions that lead to quagmire and statements. While the majority of the voting population have clearly made a decision, we must also be mindful and attentive to the other 70 million people who are our fellow citizens, brothers and sisters, and church members who sit in pews besides us. Grant us the courage, wisdom and initiative to have conversations for understanding. While elections may very well create walls of hostility, lead us, O God to name the name of Jesus Christ to tear down these walls to make us the truly beloved community on earth according to your favor.
Lord, you taught us that each person is given gifts to be used for the common good. You taught us that we are gifted in different ways so that when we are together in one community, our gifts and talents are integrated together leading toward greater maturity. This election is historic and a reminder that all of God’s children can live up to their full potential and maturity. Vice President-Elect Harris exemplify for all of us that women and people of color can also serve in the highest offices of this country. We pray that she will not be the last but rather opening up the doors of power and decision-making for all people because we are all created in your loving image.
Finally, O God, we pray for the American Baptists and its churches. Wake us up to our call to bear witness to our faith to become the moral compass in our communities where we live and for the nation as one of many nations around the world. Let us not neglect our role in society to publicly speak out in the legacies of Dr. King, Dr. Morikawa, Dr. Dahlberg, Helen Barrett Montgomery, Dr. Rauschenbusch, Dr. Orlando Costas and a host of many others. We pray that through these Justice Dialogues that we may become empowered to also add our names to this cloud of witnesses.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the peacemaker and reconciler, we pray. Amen.