I read somewhere that the average time spent in line at the polls is over an hour for the presidential election. Perhaps this explains the astonishingly low national voter turnout. In 2004, for example, less than 65% of eligible voters in the country voted (yet it seems as though almost 100% feel like they have the right to complain about current policies…).
In an email from EWTN Catholic Television this week, I was encouraged to pray a Novena for the election and the results, and I was inspired to write this article. 65% of Americans waited for over an hour in line to vote, but how many of us will spend an hour in prayer that our country might be moved in the right direction? There is no better way to affect national security, economic policies, social justice issues, etc. than to pray about them. Yet we will spend more time standing in line to cause change than in a chapel.
Senator Obama talks about change, and turnout at his campaign rallies sometimes exceeds 20,000 people. Not that his message isn’t interesting, but it’s far from unique. In fact, if I were Jesus I’d think about suing him for plagiarism. He’s late on this message by about 2,000 years. Jesus Christ talks about an even more radical and impressive change, and yet our churches are lucky if 400 people attend on a Sunday. Talk about mixed up priorities when it comes to positively affecting change. The last time I checked, neither candidates turned water to wine or raised the dead, though I sometimes think waking Senator John McCain in the morning might be similar. The call from the Church is simply this, pray about the direction of your country AT LEAST as long as you spent in line on voting day. As off base as this sounds, your vote is useless without prayer. No one person, no group, no country can succeed on its own.
There is no good action that isn’t given, and no good talent or idea that isn’t inspired. So pray! Pray for the poor, the soldiers, the economy, national security, the unborn, the elderly and for the Democratic and Republican parties. Just know that this country is moved by God if we ask for it to be. As cliché as this may sound, and with the addition of one word, God, please bless America.
Popularity: 8% [?]
November 8th, 2008 at 2:29 am
TOM! This article is awesome and I want to give you props for adressing a topic that far too often gets pushed aside in our world and in our own Marquette community. Prayer is a conversation with God–something worth having when we need guidance, direction and comfort in the changing times of today. As much as we would like to think that we can do without Him, it is impossible. It is imperative that we, whatever faith we are, seek refuge and counsel in Him. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be reminded of how a simple prayer can be the “change” we wish to see. While many Americans see our new president elect as someone that we can find hope in and someone to inspire our lives, it’s sooooo important to not place all our cares upon this one human. Rather, it is our divine creator, God, who brings us hope and in God alone can we trust—not a regular human being who happens to reside in a “White House.” So, again, props for reminding us of how important and simple prayer can be. PEACE!!