So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

It is the eve of the election.  Elections have been quite volatile lately and this season is no different.  It seems the closer we get to the election, the more explosive the commercials with each side telling us how horrific the other candidate is instead of what the candidate will truly do for the people.

The social media rhetoric is in full swing as well, with more name calling, more half-truths and the generalizations that do not truly reflect any reality.

So what do we do?  We pray, not that our candidate wins over that bad one, rather that every candidate seeks wisdom to govern diligently and for all the people.  We pray that people vote with integrity, with honor and with the cause of all humanity, not just special interests.  We pray that we can recognize the Imago Dei, the image of God in each other.

We are created in the image of God, and God has breathed the Spirit of Life into us.  Therefore, no matter who we meet, no matter their party, their politics, their beliefs, we should treat them as children of God. Even if they support the other candidate.

There is no other way we can return to decent political discourse.  We will never all agree, and that is okay.  We can, however disagree with dignity.  There is no need for name calling and demonizing those who think differently. 

As you head to the polls, look at everyone you see, recognize the Imago Dei in them, and utter a prayer.

Peace

Pastor Bill

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:  where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayer of Saint Francis