Election morning

I didn't sleep well last night.

My beloved and I arrived at our precinct at five minutes to seven this morning; there were four or five folks already waiting. The poll workers were prepared; all was set up and in order. We used the new "Inkavote" system, which seemed easy enough to understand. I voted quickly, double-checked the ballot (I still want to sweep the underside to remove chads), and watched my ballot disappear into the box. By the time we walked out of the precinct at 7:10, (with little "I voted" stickers on our breasts), there were more than two dozen folks in line and more coming down the street. Very encouraging.

(Parenthetically, I honor the service of those who work at polls. Back in 1988, I worked the June primary election at a precinct in Berkeley. 'Twas a long day, but I was fascinated by the experience. I highly recommend it to all. That primary election was won statewide by Michael Dukakis -- but Jesse Jackson carried our precinct by a whopping margin. Oh, I do miss Berkeley.)

This is the prayer I've written for myself for today. No, it's not eloquent, but it is where my heart is on this solemn and important day. Forgive me if it seems self-indulgent, but as we all know, where else can one be as self-indulgent as on a blog?

Lord, I do not know what this day will hold.

Father, be with me all in my anxiety;
be with me in my hope,
be with me in my uncertainty.

If victory is ours, may I acknowledge the disappointment of those who do not feel as I do. Grant me the grace to avoid the sin of triumphalism; grant me the gift of kind and healing words.

If we are defeated, may I be granted freedom from bitterness and recrimination. Help me to accept an unwanted result with serenity, in the assurance that indeed, Father, you have the whole world in your hands.

Lord, above all else, make me an instrument of your peace and your reconciliation this day and in the days to come. Amen.

No other posting for today.

Comments

[elizabeth]

thanks for that prayer, Hugo. My friend and I agreed last night to have a moment of silence for this election day.

[Jeff JP]

Father, be with me all in my anxiety;
be with me in my hope,
be with me in my uncertainty.

Why ask God to be with you? Isn't God everywhere? If God is everywhere, isn't asking him, her, or it to be with you a little like asking water to be wet?

Lord, above all else, make me an instrument of your peace and your reconciliation this day and in the days to come. Amen.

This last part is the only segment of your prayer with which I can relate. I find so much of the prayer of "Christians" to be filled with mindless platitudes.

We can ask God to "make" us many things, including instruments of peace. But isn't the real issue us? Our own willingness to be peaceful in each moment, in each encounter?
God has already made us instruments of peace. But we rebel against our true nature, or we are simply unaware of it.

I understand because I used to pray like most "Christians" do. Now my prayers are much more simple. I simply wish the best for all people and things and leave the details to that divine entity or force that you call "God."

Knowing that God dwells in me and manifests through me has brought me a sublime peace that reassures me and reduces anxiety. God doesn't need to "make" me anything; he, she, or it has already made me. The real spiritual work, as I see it, is to remember who I am. If I remember who I am, then I already am an instrument of peace and reconciliation.

Yes, sometimes that divine image becomes tarnished, spattered with mud, covered with dirt, or stained with blood. But it's still there. It's only waiting to be uncovered and to shine forth again.

Peace.

Jeff JP

[Camassia]

Me, I'm spending the evening at a church doing a centering prayer service, partly because it seems like a great way to not think about the election. Sounds like you might benefit from it, Hugo, though I doubt you'd want to drive all the way to Hermosa Beach.

[jic]

Amen.

[Chip]

Awesome prayer, Hugo.

[elaine]

thank you for that. i'll be going to church tonight praying for me, praying for you, praying for everyone..."Dear Lord, please hear us."