Contributor Post Created with Sketch. Something We Can All Do

 

shutterstock_429118675Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, their campaign staffs, journalists, and, now, James Comey and the FBI agents who are on the case — add them all up, and there are only a couple of thousand people in a position to do anything that might affect the outcome of this election. Which leaves the rest of us twiddling our thumbs while merely hoping for the best?

Not necessarily.

Here on Ricochet we celebrate the traditional pieties, including the most basic American piety of all: faith that, in some hidden way, a benevolent and almighty God watches over the nation. Which means, of course, that there is indeed something the rest of us can do: pray.

We Catholics have our “novenas,” prayers lasting nine days, reflecting the nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost, and I see that the Knights of Columbus have posted a novena for the election — as it happens, a particularly beautiful prayer. Jews, Protestants and other believers surely can offer prayers of their own. Come to think of it, if you have prayers or meditations for the country that you’d like to suggest, would you post them here?

I wouldn’t want to drape a stifling solemnity over the proceedings here at Ricochet, of course — the sheer clamor of presidential elections is one of the pleasures of our democracy. But shall we, ahem, pray?

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  1. Scott Wilmot Member

    Works for me.

    Mary Immaculate, pray for us.

    Thanks for the link and the prayer.

    • #1
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:28 AM PDT
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  2. Columbo Member

    And all the people said … AMEN!

    • #2
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:28 AM PDT
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  3. MarciN Member

    This is a difficult election. Prayers for our country.

    • #3
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:28 AM PDT
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  4. Susan Quinn Contributor

    May we all pray that ultimately wisdom will prevail, that our country, no matter who is elected, becomes stronger and vibrant in the months and years ahead. And may all of us on Ricochet find a way to move past our differences, appreciate what we share, and create an environment of thoughtful debate, respect and hope for the future.

    • #4
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:29 AM PDT
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  5. James Gawron Thatcher
    James Gawron Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    Peter,

    David said, “Blessed are You, Hashem, the Gd of Israel our forefather from This World to the World to Come. Yours, HaShem, is the greatness, the strength, the splendor, the triumph, and the glory, everything in heaven and earth. Yours, HaShem, is the kingdom, and the sovereignty over every leader. Wealth and honor come from You and You rule everything – in Your hand is power and strength and it is in Your hand to make anyone great or strong. So now, our Gd, we thank You and praise Your splendrous name.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #5
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:36 AM PDT
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  6. Crow's Nest Inactive

    I join my voice with Peter and other faithful Ricochet members.

    I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. Our Witness is not called to be a silent one.

    So what else can we all do? We can all also call our Congressman. If there is something in this cache of emails that voters should know before they pull a lever, then it is incumbent on the men and women who took an oath to something higher than their office, and their re-election, and their donors–to the Constitution and the Country–to act.

    Are there any Democrats left that have the courage to stand up for the average voter rather than stand in line with the Clinton machine? Does any one of them have a conscience? Now’s the time to find out.

    Are there any Republicans left that have the spine to issue the subpoenas now, knowing the media will flame spray them as brazen partisans, even though this is about corruption, not about policy? They might need to hear from their base to remind them of their duty.

    • #6
    • October 31, 2016, at 10:37 AM PDT
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  7. Arahant Member

    We have had a Prayer Thread going for years.

    • #7
    • October 31, 2016, at 11:07 AM PDT
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  8. Pencilvania Inactive

    I join you all in prayer. For wisdom and right judgement, especially – for our electorate and our leaders.

    • #8
    • October 31, 2016, at 11:39 AM PDT
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  9. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    I will and do pray.

    But, in the Old Testament, when the Israelites turned from God, they lost their land. I fear that as we turn from God, we are sinking into the same abyss. I can only pray it is not so.

    • #9
    • October 31, 2016, at 12:49 PM PDT
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  10. Front Seat Cat Member

    Crow's Nest:I join my voice with Peter and other faithful Ricochet members.

    I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. Our Witness is not called to be a silent one.

    So what else can we all do? We can all also call our Congressman. If there is something in this cache of emails that voters should know before they pull a lever, then it is incumbent on the men and women who took an oath to something higher than their office, and their re-election, and their donors–to the Constitution and the Country–to act.

    Are there any Democrats left that have the courage to stand up for the average voter rather than stand in line with the Clinton machine? Does any one of them have a conscience? Now’s the time to find out.

    Are there any Republicans left that have the spine to issue the subpoenas now, knowing the media will flame spray them as brazen partisans, even though this is about corruption, not about policy? They might need to hear from their base to remind them of their duty.

    I heard about this on the radio today: http://blackboxvoting.org/

    I heard that Russia is on war footing and they are not involved in the emails. I voted today and the woman ahead of me wanted 2 ballots so she had a record of her choices – they said no but told her another alternative-I’ve been praying non-stop.

    • #10
    • October 31, 2016, at 12:57 PM PDT
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  11. Midget Faded Rattlesnake Contributor

    Peter Robinson:I wouldn’t want to drape a stifling solemnity over the proceedings here at Ricochet, of course — the sheer clamor of presidential elections is one of the pleasures of our democracy. But shall we, ahem, pray?

    On a less solemn note, we might also take a moment to acknowledge some Halloween-themed epistemic humility and that the other guy’s zombie army might not be the last defense the rationalizing have against the truth.

    • #11
    • October 31, 2016, at 3:00 PM PDT
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  12. Sheila Inactive
    Sheila Joined in the first year of Ricochet Ricochet Charter Member

    2Chron 7:14

    “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

    • #12
    • October 31, 2016, at 5:05 PM PDT
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  13. Rocket Surgeon Inactive

    Right on, Peter. Glad that you express your spiritual self and Ricochet so openly.

    For me, prayer at this point is much better than angst. Patience helps too. Yeah, prayer and patience.

    • #13
    • October 31, 2016, at 6:54 PM PDT
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  14. HalapenyoHarry Inactive

    Thank you Peter, I have a running text group about politics and my friends and haven’t been happy. This is a better way.

    • #14
    • October 31, 2016, at 7:24 PM PDT
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  15. RightAngles Member

    Thank you, Peter! I pray for our country all the time. Here is what I prayed last night (as near as I can remember it):

    Dear Lord, please watch over us and guide our leaders. Please, if it can be in Your plan, don’t let her win. Amen.

    • #15
    • October 31, 2016, at 9:16 PM PDT
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  16. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge

    Prayer is all we have left. As Hillary assumes her already designated place in history we should now understand one thing. Corruption won, corruption always wins and all us little people have is God.

    Let us pray….

    • #16
    • November 1, 2016, at 6:01 AM PDT
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  17. RightAngles Member

    Fake John/Jane Galt:Prayer is all we have left. As Hillary assumes her already designated place in history we should now understand one thing. Corruption won, corruption always wins and all us little people have is God.

    Let us pray….

    It’s better than THEIR motto, which is “Let us prey.”

    • #17
    • November 1, 2016, at 11:58 AM PDT
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  18. Keith Keystone Inactive

    The Elephant and the Donkey have let us down. Turn to the Lamb of God.

    • #18
    • November 1, 2016, at 8:13 PM PDT
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  19. Tutti Member

    I’ve been praying the K of C prayer since the beginning of this election cycle and recently I’ve added the following petition: Grant, Lord, our president-elect a “Road to Damascus” epiphany; it worked for Saul and we are in dire need of “Paul”.

    • #19
    • November 2, 2016, at 4:59 AM PDT
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  20. Rocket Surgeon Inactive

    RightAngles:

    Fake John/Jane Galt:Prayer is all we have left. As Hillary assumes her already designated place in history we should now understand one thing. Corruption won, corruption always wins and all us little people have is God.

    Let us pray….

    It’s better than THEIR motto, which is “Let us prey.”

    And we could use the motto of pest eradicators: “Let us spray”

    • #20
    • November 3, 2016, at 4:16 PM PDT
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