This prayer is from my upcoming book, tentatively titled _A Pocketbook of Prayers for Apocalypse_.

God-Universe-Source: We know that civic participation is not our only calling, nor even our highest,
But we know that it is a meaningful way we care for each other.
We lend our hands and raise our voices for the highest good of all.
We do this in neighborhoods, communities, churches, and soup kitchens,
We do it marching and singing in the streets,
And yes, in the voting booth.

Help us to raise up and empower leaders who are pure of heart,
Honest in speech,
Transparent in agenda,
Kind and compassionate in method,
True to Love and mercy,
Firm of boundary,
Stalwart of mind and constitution,
Humble in body and possessions,
Broad in consciousness,
Wise in spirit.

Protect us as we cast our votes at every opportunity,
Making the most of the privilege we have,
Keeping the most vulnerable among us foremost in our minds,
Not letting the imaginary perfect betray the imminent good.

Let us vote for a just society,
As is our duty.
Let us wisely discern the hearts of those seeking authority.
Let us not be fooled by liars, bigots, thieves, and the hard-hearted.
We wish we could snap our fingers and have a just society delivered to our door -
But our lot, for now, is to participate in the long, slow arc of justice.

So, we mind our business,
Which is to participate in caring for the world
In all the ways available to us,
Of which voting is only one.

May it be so.

When we want to run away,
Help us to stay present to what is important.

When we want to post nasty things on social media,
Help us to vent in more appropriate ways.

When we are tempted to spend time indulging anxiety,
Help us to fix ourselves on your faithfulness.

When we are uncertain how to vote in good conscience,
Show us a way forward.

When we feel reactive,
Help us to become contemplative.

When we feel frustrated,
Help us to trust that the Kingdom of God is unstoppable.

When we feel afraid,
Help us remember our hope, joy, and the power of love.

When we are tempted to criticize those who disagree with us,
Help us to speak gracefully, or not at all.

When we are focused on pointing out the negative,
Help us to find ways to help make things better.

When we feel a sense of dislike or loathing for anyone, ever,
Help us to remember compassion and kindness.

When all we can see is ugliness,
Help us to turn off the screen and go outside.

Amen