Praying into Our FutureNovember 04, 2024

Praying into Our Future

As I prepared this reflection, I was very aware that it would be posted the week of the most consequential National Election in American history. As Americans are already voting and the outcome is not expected to be confirmed immediately, I have found support and a sense of calm by praying the following prayer written by Joan Chittister, osb. Together, let us pray:

A 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 leader
to bring safety for the whole world.
Give us leaders who lead this nation to virtue
without seeking to impose our kind of virtue on the virtue of others.

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 trust you, Great God, to open our hearts to learn
from those to whom you speak in different tongues
and to respect the life and words of those to whom you entrusted
the good of other parts of this globe.

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.

Together, let us continue to pray in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Sister Anne Marie Diederich