As we approach one of the most significant elections in U.S. history, we reached out to interfaith leaders across the nation to ask for prayers, poems, songs, reflections, from their diverse worldviews, to help bring us all a little peace as we emotionally prepare for the day after the election. If you have a prayer or a meditation that you are lifting for the Election and for the time after the election – tag us at @ifyc on Instagram and Twitter and we will share!

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ سَمِعْت رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم يَقُولُ: “مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الْإِيمَانِ

“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the minimum level of faith.”

2. Rev. Nancy E. Brink, a Christian Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and director of church relations at Chapman University shares this prayer she wrote for the upcoming elections.

O God of the struggle, we are exhausted. We are tired of the isolation and fear of COVID and the ways in which a lack of safety brings more uncertainty to this election. We are tired of difficult conversations with friends and family members who don’t see COVID or politics as we do. We are tired of disinformation and voter suppression and politicians who put party and personal wealth over the greater good of the nation. We are tired of a Constitution ignored and political norms in tatters. We feel like we are in a month-long struggle not unlike Jacob’s long night of contest with a messenger of God. May we have the tenacity of Jacob–to not end this fight without demanding a blessing. May we open our eyes and hearts, expecting blessings that we can scarcely imagine: a heightened commitment to our spiritual wellness, a broadened inclusion of those previously marginalized, a deeper understanding of systemic racism, a democracy strengthened because we have been awakened to its current fragility. Thank you for coming alongside us—all of us—even when we are not awake to your presence. Amen.

3. Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, an educator, writer, and activist, shares a powerful passage from Sikh scripture.

In the Rag, Bhairau, by Guru Arjan

Happiness in standing, happiness in sitting.
I feel no fear upon understanding this.
The one protector is our master,

The Inner-Knower residing in each and every heart. [Pause to Reflect]
Sleeping without worry, and awake without worry.
O Divine, you permeate all spaces.
My home is filled with joy, and the outside is filled with joy.

Nanak says: The Guru has instilled me with this mantra.
ਭੈਰਉ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

ਊਠਤ ਸੁਖੀਆ ਬੈਠਤ ਸੁਖੀਆ ॥

ਭਉ ਨਹੀ ਲਾਗੈ ਜਾਂ ਐਸੇ ਬੁਝੀਆ ॥੧॥

ਰਾਖਾ ਏਕੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ॥

ਸਗਲ ਘਟਾ ਕਾ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਸੋਇ ਅਚਿੰਤਾ ਜਾਗਿ ਅਚਿੰਤਾ ॥

ਜਹਾ ਕਹਾਂ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਤੂੰ ਵਰਤੰਤਾ ॥੨॥

ਘਰਿ ਸੁਖਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ॥੩॥੨॥

4. Rev. Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Rochester, a litany that the Episcopal Church is encouraging members to pray every day through election day and beyond.

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.

For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

5. Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, shares “A Prayer to Become Something Beyond What We Now Are”

In a world that is both broken and beautiful,

At a time that is both woeful and wonderful,
There lives a dream among us,
A dream to become something beyond what we now are.

We call upon a Creator, made known in breaking bread together,
And with fire in our hearts, we seek the courage to draw closer to God and closer to each other.

To resist the temptation of isolation.
To oppose the dangers of detachment.
To refuse the attraction of apathy.

We yearn for a freedom that flows.
Not merely for a day of dreaming, but for a lifetime of healing.

So in our celebration and in our deliberation,
May we be reminded, today and always.

If we are close enough to debate, we are close enough to love
If we are close enough to erase, we are close enough to embrace
If we are close enough to cancel, we are close enough to console.
If we are close enough to put down, we are close enough to lift up.

If we are close enough to oppose, we are close enough to care.

So may we be so bold and so humble, to learn from our past, to embody the abundant goodness of our present, and to embrace the faith that all things are indeed possible.

This all, we pray, to sustain this day and beyond.

Together. Amen.

6. Joy Getnick, the Executive Director of Hillel at the University of Rochester, shares a ‘prayer for our country’ from Siddur Sim Shalom, the prayer book of the Conservative Movement (of Judaism).

Our God and God of our ancestors: We ask Your blessings for our country—for its government, for its leaders and advisors, and for all who exercise just and rightful authority. Teach them insights from Your Torah, that they may administer all affairs of state fairly, that peace and security, happiness and prosperity, justice and freedom may forever abide in our midst.

Creator of all flesh, bless all the inhabitants of our country with Your spirit. May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony, to banish hatred and bigotry, and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions that are the pride and glory of our country.

May this land, under your providence, be an influence for good throughout the world, uniting all people in peace and freedom—helping them to fulfill the vision of your prophet: ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they experience war any more’ (Isaiah 2:4). And let us say: Amen.

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