________________________________________________________ACTIONET November 3, 2008

Announcement... 

A Prayer for Election Day

The Northwestern PA Synod shared this prayer with us, and we now share it with you.  Please remember that on Election Day, whether it’s through personal conversations or virtual blogs and e-mails, you have the opportunity to share with friends and loved ones WHY you voted. 

Consider passing this prayer along as a reminder that participating in the electoral process is a vital way we live out our baptismal calling to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. (you can even use the Tell-a-friend function below!)

Some excerpts from a prayer by Joan Chittister:

Prayer for Leadership

Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough
to match the breadth of our own souls
and give us souls strong enough
to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

In seeking a leader, let us seek
more than development for ourselves--
though development we hope for--
more than security for our own land--
though security we need--
more than satisfaction for our wants--
though many things we desire.

Give us the hearts to choose the leader
who will work with other leaders
to bring safety
to the whole world...

Give us a government
that provides for the advancement
of this country
without taking resources from others
to achieve it.

Give us insight enough ourselves
to choose as leaders those who can tell
strength from power,
growth from greed,
leadership from dominance,
and real greatness from the trappings of grandiosity...

We beg you, Great God,
give us the vision as a people
to know where global leadership truly lies,
to pursue it diligently,
to require it to protect human rights
for everyone everywhere.

We ask these things, Great God,
with minds open to your word
and hearts that trust in your eternal care.  Amen