Are you praying for today's election?

Are you praying for today's election? If you are, what exactly are you praying for? Are you praying for your preferred candidates to win?

Don't worry; I am too.

Perhaps like many of you, I've been having lots of conversations about politics lately. Recently, this question came up: "Does God care about our political system?" Furthermore, does God care if we vote? Does God care who wins?

Here's what I believe. God cares about people. God cares about the communities we build, how we love each other, how we care for and treat each other. Those things are very important to God.

But what about politics? What does politics even really mean? Often when I ask this question, someone in return asks me, "What is politics supposed to mean, or what has it turned into today?" Good question. Great insight.

Our word "politics" comes from the Greek politikos meaning "citizen," from polis meaning "city." Merriam-Webster defines "politics" as "the art or science of government." I think of politics as how we as citizens care for all people (and creatures and the environment) in our cities, in our communities. If that's the case, then I think God cares.

I believe it's important to vote; it's important to become educated on the issues and the candidates and cast a vote that reflects your personal values. This next statement doesn't apply to everyone, but for me as a Christian, I cast a vote based on the way I understand the Gospel message. In particular, I vote based on how I believe God wants us to love people and our community.

So if you're one of those Christians casting a vote today, and you're praying for the election, what are you praying for?

Praying for your preferred candidates to win is a starting place. But for me, it doesn't end there. As you pray for the election, I'd like to encourage you to also pray for these things:

• grace for everyone involved, knowing that when the polls close, there will be some who are elated and some who feel forlorn - that we will show grace to all people we encounter
• love for people of all kinds, even those with whom you disagree with politically (or religiously), knowing that all of them- every single one of them - have been created in God's image
• consideration of people who live in our communities whose voices do not get a vote (due to age, infirmity, or other life circumstance)
• a desire for our communities to thrive, so that all people living in them will flourish in the kindom God has created for us
• peace to come upon the land - in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our communities, and states, and nations

When I suggest that we pray for peace, I do not mean that we should pray that our Facebook feeds will go silent, that all we will see once again is pictures of our plates, our pets, and our partners.

When I suggest that we pray for peace, I do not mean that we should pray that we will all stop talking about how to improve the communities in which we live and work, worship and play.

When I suggest that we pray for peace, I do not mean that we should pray that we continue to surround ourselves with those who think like us and ignore the voices that make us uncomfortable.

Instead, let us pray for the peace that God promises to usher in.

Pray for the peace that gets us out of our comfort zones, that nudges us into hard and holy conversations.

Pray for the peace that makes sure everyone's voice is heard.

Pray for the peace that makes room for everyone at the table God has set before us.

Pray for the peace that includes neighbors - every single one of 'em - instead of excluding neighbors.

Pray for the peace that allows us to see the face of God in all people.

Pray for the peace that humbles us and gives us the grace to hear the story of someone we consider "different."

Pray for the peace that strengthens communities so that we can all live abundantly.

Pray for the peace that, in the light of glorious diversity, unites us all in love.

If you're praying for today's election, will you pray for these things too?