After

In the United States, the “after” is post-November 5, 2024, the day we elect a new president. But it really could be any significant event for which you are presently living in the “before time.” Whatever the presenting issue, the time to plan for “after” is in the “before time.”

For any event as contentious as the current US election, it’s unlikely that every person in your worshiping community thinks and feels the same way. Even if you believe the whole congregation is of one mind, chances are there are a few folks who quietly think differently—and if not in your congregation, certainly some in your larger community, and you never know who is going to walk through the church doors. As much as we might personally feel as if there is a clear right or wrong choice of candidate, we know other believers feel just as strongly. The reality is that in the “after” some will be rejoicing, some will be grieving, some will feel relieved, and some will be experiencing an increase in anxiety. When you gather for the first time after, what are you going to say?

Preach the Gospel

The good news of Jesus Christ remains the same no matter who wins the election. But which gospel theme will you want to emphasize? What scriptural truths are important for a community of diverse opinions to hear? If you plan your message now, no one can claim it is partisan, and it can be prepared with a clearer head. You don’t need to know the results of the election to proclaim gospel truths such as:

1. God is God and Lord of the universe. Nothing can change the overarching truths that the Holy Spirit is at work in this world and that Christians have been invited into that work of bringing about God’s kingdom (not to be confused with any specific nation). Bottom line: God’s got this, and God’s got us.

2. All humans are created in God’s image. Unbelievers, not-yet-believers, and believers all are created in God’s image and loved by God. They should be treated as such.

3. We are called to be Christlike. God’s kingdom is marked by virtues such as those we find in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), described as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), or spoken of in Philippians. As Christians, we will be known by our fruit, not our political party. How might you include practices that form followers of Christ who exemplify these fruits?

4. In our baptism, we are united with Christ and with our fellow believers. Unity was paramount in Christ’s mind as he prayed ahead of his arrest (John 17). While unity doesn’t mean uniformity, it does present for us the ideal and a posture for how we relate to each other as Christians. How we characterize Christians who disagree with us matters, especially from the pulpit.

5. We are called to love our enemies (Matthew 5:45). This part of the Sermon on the Mount may be the hardest to put into action, especially when the world teaches us the opposite. How might you call your worshiping community to show love toward those we consider our enemies?

6. We must speak and act humbly. We need to watch our hubris. Our minds are not equal to God’s. We do not know God’s plan for all things. We do not know God’s will in all things. Yes, scripture provides a rough road map, but Christians have interpreted that road map incorrectly so many times. We are looking at today’s events through human eyes from one fixed point and influenced by our history and context. It is especially important to be careful not to make declarations as if they are coming from God. To be clear, though, speaking humbly does not mean we stop being prophetic or speaking from a place of faith, but that we do so while recognizing the limitations of our humanity.

None of these points should be interpreted to mean that we should sacrifice truth, stop working for justice or encouraging the passing of policies and laws that ensure the flourishing of all people, or quiet our voice for the sake of some sense of false unity or shallow peace. But the gospel should shape how we do these things and how we speak, including about the “other side.” That shaping should be a normal part of the faith formation of our congregation so that in the “after” we are simply reminding those gathered of the truths they already know and practice.

Practice Self-Care

During contentious times it is especially important for leaders to find ways to be rooted in the larger narrative of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and promises. This list of self-care activities is not exhaustive but could be helpful for your congregants.

1. Spend more time in scripture and prayer. Good places to start include praying through the Beatitudes or memorizing a scripture passage that reminds you of who you are in Christ.

2. Turn off social media. We know that social media are full of half-truths and lies. Algorithms present us with a skewed picture of reality that may generate fear. If you find yourself becoming too anxious, it may be wise to step away from media and participate in activities that encourage you to rest in God. If you continue to use social media, be conscientious about the messages you share and whether they contribute to the world’s anxiety and fear of the other. Fact-check before sharing posts.

3. Spend time with those you love and doing what you love. Find people and activities that feed your soul, that energize you and remind you that you are beloved. These people and activities will be your anchor when the rest of the world seems chaotic.

4. Find ways to focus on beauty and the good things of this world. We sometimes get overwhelmed by all the bad that is happening—natural disasters, wars, death—and the world can seem to be a very dark place. While we shouldn’t ignore those realities or stop working to set them right, we can’t do that work if we have lost sight of the good and the beautiful. Nature is a great source of that beauty if you take the time to look. If you pay attention, you can also see the goodness of the Lord in others.

5. Listen deeply. Before dismissing those you disagree with, listen carefully—not just to their words, but to their heart, their fears. Listen to understand. While neither of you may change your opinions, careful conversation may help you to see the humanity in the other.

Leading Prayer in the “After”

While all the above should be bathed in your own personal prayer, it is worth giving special thought to what you might say when leading communal prayer at the first meeting or worship service after the election. Whether you come from a tradition that prays extemporaneously or through written prayers, ask yourself now: What should pray for regardless of which candidate wins? What is the desire for our nation and the world regardless of who is president? How might you pray for those whose preferred candidate did not win? How might you frame these prayers within the much larger narrative of God’s faithfulness?

Below is a suggestion for the Prayers of the People.  Before praying, prompt those gathered to respond to you praying “May your kingdom come” with “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  

Creator of the universe,
Lord of this time and place,
we come before you today declaring
that you’ve got the whole world in your hand.
We look forward to the day when you return.
May your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  

You see those gathered here in person and online.
You see our concerns and our fears.
You see those of us who are unemployed or underemployed,
those who are struggling at school, are bullied, or feel the need to bully others. 
You see those of us who are lonely,
those struggling with mental health
or other chronic conditions that are not easily seen.  
You see those whose illnesses we know
and those who are recovering from or anticipating surgery.
You see those who are grieving.
Lord, you see all of this, and your heart breaks.
Today we especially pray for
[include your own prayers].
May your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord of all,
you see the conflicts, the horrors of war, poverty, and hunger.
You see the refugee, the unhoused, and the outcast.
You see, and your heart breaks.
Forgive us for the part we play.
Today we pray especially for
[include your own prayers].
May your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Sovereign God,
you see the political turmoil of our own country.
You see the joy of those whose candidate won.
You see the anger and fear of those whose candidate lost.
You see our actions, hear the words we speak about others, and know our thoughts.
You see the division and the mistrust, even among believers.
You see, and your heart breaks.
Forgive us for the part we play.
[Include your own prayers.]
May your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

This is not your desire for the world,  
and as Christians, you have called us to join the Holy Spirit
in setting the world aright—
to build your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Help us, your people, to emulate Christ,
doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility valuing others above ourselves,
not looking to our own interests
but to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4, adapted).
And in so doing,
may your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

In these contentious times, may our thoughts and actions
be worthy of the name Christian.
May we be identified by our fruits—by love, joy, peace, 
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Through the fruits that we bear,
may your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Whether or not we are happy with those who are in power
or the decisions they make,
you call us to respect them and pray for them.
And so today we pray for all our elected officials.
[Name specific officials.]
May you sustain them and protect them.
Surround them with wise voices,
and instill in them a listening ear.
Help them not to think of their own interests
or to be swayed by the interests of those with money or power,
but rather to truly serve the many and varied people who call this nation home.
May they use the power and authority they have been given
to bring about the flourishing of all,
domestically and around the world,
and in so doing may your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Lord, you have called us to work for peace—
for a world in which all people can flourish side by side.
You call us to work toward a world where all people
have access to health care, food, clean water, and housing.
You call us to work toward a world where children do not know what war is,
where they do not grow up surrounded by death and destruction.
We desire such a place for ourselves, our loved ones, and for those we do not know.
We recognize that sometimes we have different ideas for how to achieve this.
Teach us to work together.
We admit that sometimes doing your work brings us into conflict
with the actions and policies of governments and other organizations.
When that is the case, we ask you for wisdom and guidance
to know how to work to bring about change through nonviolent and peaceful ways—
ways that do not destroy or diminish others.
Let us be known by our fruit even in our acts of protest.
May all we do and say be in step with your Spirit
and so in this way,
may your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We pray all this in the name of our triune God.
for to you belongs the kingdom,
glory, and honor,
for ever and ever. Amen.