I don't have to get worked up.

I don’t have to get depressed.

 

I just have to use

my conscience

and vote.

 

So help me to remember

what Jesus taught in the Gospels,

and what our church teaches,

especially about the unborn, the poor,

the refugee, the migrant,

the sick, the homeless, 

the disabled, the hungry,

the elderly and the lonely.

 

Help me to remember the "least" among us,

and help me ponder in my heart

how to cast my vote for the good of all.

 

God, I know that no candidate is perfect,

because I'm not perfect either,

the last time I checked.

So free me of the burden of having to

vote for someone who satisfies

all my desires for a candidate.

My candidate will be imperfect,

like me.

 

Help me to be grateful for the ability to vote,

because not everyone has that privilege.

Help me to be at peace after I vote, too.

 

And when I meet people voting for someone else,

Help me to take a deep breath and

give them the benefit of the doubt,

because they are following their consciences, too.

 

Help me to remember

that even though they sometimes drive me nuts,

I don't have to argue with them,

I don't have to convince them,

I don't have to hate them,

And I don't have to demonize them.

 

Then, after the election, help me work for unity.

Because I know that’s what you want.

 

Amen.