Prayers for the Election and Our Country

Our local Pax Christi offered to sponsor an Hour of Prayer for the Elections at St. Gertrude's here on the NE side of Chicago. Seven people came to the hour of prayer. The lighting was subdued in a RC church 100 years old. One small candle burned on a cloth in the front of the church. A side altar was filled with photos honoring the dead (The feast of All Souls and All Saints was this weekend.)

We had planned for a song, 1/2 hour of silence, a prayer, then a song and prayer to close on the hour. Our musician, who is a chaplain at a Children's Memorial did not come. I read my prayer of St. Francis for peace. Then we sat in silence.

I did not know what I would experience in prayer and the beautiful silence filled with peace just as on Saturday during the ordinations. An image of Jesus by my side appeared and "we were to walk the land asking blessings upon our country." It wasn't really an image but a "feeling/sense" that Jesus was present with me. I found us at the collapse of the Twin Towers just as I had 9/11 during prayer. Jesus held my hand as we asked for the blessing and healing of our country at this site. I began to weep, tears streamed down my face throughout the prayer which lasted about 30 minutes.

Next we headed to MA, I had seen whales off of Boston and we blessed the creatures of the sea. We had visited an Audubon Bird Sanctuary where my sister Judy had worked years ago, I think CT, we returned there to bless the birds of the air. We blessed the East coast, tide pools and the ocean. Then to Rochester NY where I attended Mary Ramerman's ordination. Blessing Niagara Falls in all their beauty.

Philadelphia where I attended a Matthew Fox week long seminar on Creation Spirituality. On to Michigan and my birthplace-Detroit, Southfield of my childhood, the Mackinac bridge, Taquamenan Falls. We went to WI and the beauty of the Lake where I heard my first loons, and saw the great migration of Canada geese-wave after wave over head. To IL and the beauty of Chicago, and the huge lake of lotus found in S. IL. Headed to Mt Rushmore and the beauty of S. Dakota. The mountains of Montana and the hot springs. Washington State and Mt St. Helen's. Down to CA and the redwoods and the Pacific ocean. The mountains and lava beds of Idaho.

Jesus and I blessed each place, all sacred ground. Prayers for our country had become prayers for the earth itself. Down to New Orleans, I graduated from LU-NO with my masters in theology. Ft. Stewart in GA where Jason was stationed with the 3rd ID. Down to FL to Gainesville and Jason and Jodi-blessings on their engagement. To Tampa and blessings for Lisa and her family.

Then I found myself back at Walter Reed, walking the halls of the hospital and praying for all the wounded soldiers and their families and friends. Our country is so beautiful and its people need a vision and leadership worthy of them. It was good to be able to hold our country in my prayers and in my heart.

We gathered in a small circle, held hands and asked God's blessings as we vote tomorrow.
I am so thankful to have taken the time for prayer for our country.