Prayer Tip--Malice Towards None, Charity for All

This Sunday’s scriptures bring us into the heart of a deeply comforting truth: no matter what kind of chaos or uncertainty we face in life, God’s peace is available to us. As election season brings national dialogue to a peak, it often stirs a mix of excitement, hope, and yes, even anxiety or frustration. The messages in these passages—Psalm 46, John 14:27, and Philippians 4:6-7—are deeply relevant. They offer grounding in God’s peace amid our uncertainties, calling us to place our anxieties in God’s hands rather than solely on the outcome of an election or the future of policies.

Psalm 46 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” During an election cycle, it’s easy to feel that the future of our community, nation, or world is hanging in the balance. But this verse suggests that ultimate stability and peace don’t rely on any leader or party but rest in God’s unshakable presence. The psalmist calls us to trust in this enduring source of peace, “though the nations are in uproar, the kingdoms totter.”

In John 14:27, Jesus offers us a special kind of peace, “not as the world gives.” This peace goes beyond the comfort of winning an argument or seeing our political ideals come to fruition. It’s a deeper, lasting peace that can anchor us through any election season. When anxieties around change or potential division arise, we’re reminded that Christ’s peace is one we can hold onto without fear.

Paul’s words in Philippians 4 encourage us to release our worries through prayer, with gratitude, entrusting all our concerns to God. The result? “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This promise allows us to engage in the democratic process without the weight of feeling that everything depends on a single outcome.

 Prayer Practice: Breath Prayer Consider using breath prayers to cultivate calm and clarity. As you inhale, say, “God is my refuge,” and as you exhale, “I release my fears.” This simple practice can help center us, creating space to engage in civic life from a place of peace rather than anxiety.