“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

In the words of Christian activist and author Shane Claiborne, we’re not called to follow an elephant or a donkey — we’re called to follow the slaughtered lamb,” he said. “We’re inviting churches to join with us as we gather to proclaim our allegiance to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God,” The Rev. Michael Scarlett, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pocatello, Idaho.
Let us pray
God of creation,
Give us eyes to see your handiwork all around us. Give us ears to hear the music that you have stirred to life in the swaying of the trees and the singing of the birds. Give us heightened senses to be aware of your creativity, even as we take this breath. Draw us into your life that spans far beyond our own days and years.
God of each season,
You hold all things together. Even when seasons are difficult or uncertain, you are always present and available. Even as our nation approaches a season of change in leadership, we pray for reminders that you are sovereign.
God of this nation,
We thank you for the many privileges that we enjoy as Americans. May we not take for granted the gift and responsibility that accompany those privileges. Let us not lose sight of the fact that all around the world, there are people who crave the opportunity to cast a vote once in their lifetime. Guide us in our voting.
We pray for Donald Trump and we pray for Hillary Clinton. We pray for those seeking the presidency who are neither Republican nor Democrat. Regardless of our preferences, we give you thanks for the desire of these people to lead and serve. We pray for wisdom for these individuals. May wisdom manifest in their actions, speech, and attitudes. Guide them in their leading.
We pray for your presence in the days to come. May your peace guide our hands and hearts. May your love be seen and known in communities near and far.
In the name of Christ — the one who could not be stopped by death — we pray, Amen.
The Rev. Brad Greene
Election Day Litany
Lord, listen to your children praying
Campaign season is noisy
press conferences
national conventions
protests
rallies
debates
Our ears are overwhelmed
Despite all the noise, the sound of uncertainty reverberates throughout our nation
We struggle to perceive the movement of the Spirit over the clamor
We claim to separate faith and politics
And yet the two cannot help but collide: melody and harmony
Woven into the composition of our social order
And so on this Election Day we gather and pray
Lord, send your spirit in this place
our homes and work spaces
our houses of worship
our polling stations
our voting booths
and campaign headquarters
That your healing presence would resound through broken places in our systems and government
Lord, listen to your children praying
Make your ways, our ways
Your tune, our tune
Ground us in your melody of goodness
Bless us as if we were each an instrument of peace
Creating harmonies of love that ring louder than the static of indifference
Send us love that frees us from hatred and bitterness toward one another
Send us power that resonates justice and protects human dignity
Send us grace that we would sing songs of hope and unity
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
Rev. Sarah Casey, 2016
Psalm 23 – A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.