One night last week I stared at the ceiling unable to sleep. The spectacle of the latest presidential debate along with snippets from the news rattled in my head. I knew I needed to pray, but how? Recalling an experience I had years ago gave me a sense of direction.
As a college senior, I ran for president of the choir against one other candidate. In my more insecure moments, I was sure I would lose the election based upon my doubt and mistrust of those voting to think deeply enough about what each candidate had to offer the organization.
The night before the vote, I asked myself some questions. Was I underestimating my fellow choir members? Was it fair of me to view the other students as shallow and unconcerned with what each candidate could bring to the table? I decided that I needed to dig deeper and trust, as Solomon said, that “every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord” (Proverbs 29:26).
In a book titled “The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany,” the discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote, “All good that ever was written, taught, or wrought comes from God and human faith in the right” (p. 292). I knew I needed to have “faith in the right” in order to see the good that comes from God. Belittling anyone’s motives wouldn’t help. If all of us are made in the image and likeness of God (see Genesis 1:26, 27), we are all capable of making principled decisions based on wisdom, discernment, and integrity. I could trust the result of the election to bless everyone.
I was able to sleep peacefully after that. As grateful as I was the next day to be elected president, I was even more grateful for the inspiration gained from my prayers.
The upcoming US election deserves our careful thoughts and prayers. It is an opportunity to acknowledge that the ability to make sound judgment comes from and is a reflection of the divine intelligence and government of God. Whether we are a voter or a candidate, everyone has the opportunity to have “faith in the right” and to witness the higher nature we each have as the reflection of God. We can pray to see this manifested in speech and action, starting with our own.
Speaking of God as divine Mind, Mrs. Eddy wrote, “Every human thought must turn instinctively to the divine Mind as its sole centre and intelligence” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” pp. 307-308). Knowing that the Christlike identity we have from God is compelled to reflect and express the divine Mind, we can see and experience Mind’s effects and be at peace during this, and all, elections.
A version of this article ran in the Oct. 27 issue of The Foxboro Reporter.