Day 233: For an Election: All Our Power and Privileges

 DAY 233

                              Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic                     

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Thirty-four    Monday 2 November 2020

For an Election: All Our Powers and Privileges

“Almighty God, to whom we must give account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - The Book of Common Prayer – Prayer for an election.

This prayer for an election calls us to a sober awareness that our being able to vote is both a power and a privilege, power because ‘we the people’ have the power by our vote to determine the course of our country, and a privilege because hundreds of millions do not have free access to that power. It is a God-given privilege enabling us to choose our future and our destiny.  

The mystery of this power and privilege is that people who seek to follow Jesus as Lord of their lives can passionately hold diametrically opposite views and positions in the political realm and hold them with conviction. Sadly, in recent years we have watched as division, hostility and mistrust have divided our nation, including Christians along partisan lines. Somewhere we need to discover the purposes for which this power and this privilege have been given to us so that “…the rights of all may be protected and our nation enabled to fulfill God’s purposes…” I can’t help but believe that there are men and women in Congress on both sides of the aisle for whom this is the deepest desire of their person. Will you pray the prayer above today and tomorrow?  

Reflective question: If you have not yet done so, will you vote tomorrow? It is a power and a privilege.

Reflective Scripture: Joshua 24:15 – “…choose for yourselves whom you will serve,…”

Reflective hymn:

“In Times of Great Decision” Rev. Carolyn Gillette, Presbyterian pastor © 2004

Sung to the hymn tune for “The Church’s One Foundation” by Charles Wesley

1. In times of great decision, be with us, God, we pray

Give each of us a vision of Jesus’ loving way.

When louder words seem endless and other voices sure,

Remind us of your promise: your love and truth endure.

2. O God, whose gifts are countless, you send us bearing peace.

You fill our dreams with justice for all communities.

You give us global neighbors, that all may justly live.

May those we choose as leaders reflect the life you give.