I've been sitting here, Lord,
reflecting on the campaign, the election,
the results, the aftermath...
Taking a little personal inventory,
I've been trying to remember any times
when you gave me a free pass:
to revile any neighborwhom I judgeto have no redeeming moral qualities...to malign a brother or sisterwho supports a candidatewho doesn't happen to be my candidate...to slander someoneon the basis of what I've readin all the media that agree with me...to impugn the motives of others,even millions of others,based on their party affiliation...to speak of othersas I'd want no one to speak of meor of anyone I love...to cut someone out of my lifebecause the cut of their politicsdoesn't fit mine...to bully others into silenceby my intolerance and scornof people with different beliefs...to demand respect for my own consciencewhile failing to reverencewhat others hold dear and sacred...to injure the feelings of otherscounting them politically expendable,strategic collateral damage...to hate the one who hates my ideas,to vilify those on the other side,to write off those with opposing views...
But you, Lord,
you give no free passes for such behavior
but rather, you call me
to love my neighbor as myself,
to love my enemies
and to pray for those who persecute me...
You make no exceptions for political purposes
or for election years,
or FaceBook memes or Twitter sneers:
no exceptions, Lord, just your law
to love you by loving my neighbor...
Thus, my personal post-election inventory, Lord,
and my prayer for your forgiveness
and the healing of your mercy...
Let the healing begin, Lord,
and let it begin with me...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Create in me a clean heart.
Have mercy on me, God, in your compassion.
Remove my sin, wash me from my guilt.
O purify my heart and teach me wisdom,
then I shall be whiter than the snow.
O give me back the joy of your salvation,
a willing spirit sustain in me.
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