The morning after

My daughter said it best: We all need t-shirts that say, “We survived 2016.” Another friend said the results of the election seemed like the apocalypse to her.

But, my daughter, my friend, and many others I know are good at praying. We all were praying before the election, and no doubt we’ll continue.

I never pray for something specific: Give me a car God, and make it shiny, red, and fast!

No, my prayers are more about acknowledging God’s supremacy and His eternal love for His creation. A strong and confident affirmation that His will is done, here and now, "on earth as it is in heaven" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 17).

I wouldn’t dream of asking God that a particular candidate or a certain political party would come out on top, any more than I would pray for the Denver Broncos to win the super bowl again—no matter how tempting that is.

So, after the election, as before it, I have to trust that prayer is effective. I know that every desire to see God’s hand in the election and in the smooth operation of the government has been answered. Now we look for the good in action that we prayed for. We pray to see the qualities of God like humility, kindness, compassion, and intelligence, be expressed in those who won and those who didn’t. It’s part of democracy.

As individuals of this democratic nation, we think, we research, we pray, we cast our one vote. Then we pray to be humble enough to accept the decision of the majority, even if it’s not our own.

This morning I got up, took my shower, and ate breakfast as I always do. I put Lily on her leash and told her we were going out into the world to see what hadn’t changed. Yes, the Colorado sky is still beautiful and blue as can be. The fall leaves are crunching under our feet, as they should be. The air is fresh and cool, just like it was yesterday. And God, Good itself, is still everywhere present. Divine Love is still omnipotent—the only power that exists.
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This isn’t the first day of something horrible. This is God’s day, and “the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah, chapter 9). God, divine Love is King, Queen, and President. His law of good prevails today and always, and we are all safe in His loving care. 

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