Election Night Communion

On election night our church, with over 900 other churches across the country, held a communion service. It was not a service for praying for any certain people to win. It was not to pray against any candidates.

It was a night for remembering.

Remembering who we belong to.
Remembering the sacrifice made for us on the cross.
Remembering that our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against Satan and the powers of darkness.
Remembering that the USA, while a great country, is not God's kingdom. His kingdom is larger and greater than our country will ever be.
Remembering that unity is important and can be had when we meet at the cross rather than at the polls.

We centered our night around Isaiah 26:8:

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,
    we wait for you;
your name and renown
    are the desire of our hearts.

And we remembered that our lives are about seeking God and living in a way that makes Christ known and brings glory and fame to Him.

It was a beautiful gathering and one I will remember for a long time. I will leave you today with a couple of the prayers we read together that night.

Call to worship #2 

From Cahill United Methodist Church (Alvarado, TX), published by re:Worship

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Happy are the people who serve the God of Jacob.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Let us pray.

Loving God,

we gather to praise and worship you

and to pledge to you our loyalty and our service.

Bless our gathering and our remembering,

our hearing and our speaking,

that all honor and glory may be yours.

Bless us that we may be a blessing—

a blessing to you, to our community,

to our nation, and to our world.

We ask it in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the election

By Joanna Harader, author of the “Spacious Faith” blog

God of justice and compassion,

God of Republicans and Democrats and Independents,

God of the poor and the 1% and the middle class,

in the heat of this election year

we pray for our nation, our churches, and ourselves.

In the midst of meanness and deception,

may our words be kind and true.

In the midst of loud speeches and harsh accusations,

may we listen well and try to understand.

May those who follow Jesus do the work of Jesus–

breaking down the dividing walls

speaking the truth in love

meeting together in the face of disagreements.

Holy, loving God, have mercy on your children.

Amen.