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A PRAYER TO BELIEVE

praying hands of a man for blessings his god on the sunset

LETTERS TO MY COUNTRY VI

All things are possible for the one who believes. — Mark 9:23

By Brother Patrick

The results of the recent presidential election were close, very close. The winning candidate earned less than fifty percent of the popular vote. There is no mandate. There is only the sad reality that our nation remains deeply divided by race, gender, religion, ethnicity, ideology, political party, and socio-economic status. A reliable exit poll reveals that one of the candidates won a majority of the poorest voters and the best educated voters, but lost a majority of middle class voters.

Because these results are challenging to understand, many people are disappointed. Because the results are accompanied by an ongoing campaign of misinformation, many people are disillusioned. Whether our chosen candidate won or lost, many people are finding it difficult to trust our leaders; difficult to have faith in our institutions; and difficult to believe in the future of the democratic experiment. This is a time of uncertainty wrapped in rhetoric born of anger, dissension, and retribution.

In the face of such widespread anxiety, Saint Francis of Assisi calls to us from across the ages. He says: “This is our vocation: to heal wounds, to bind what is broken, and to bring home those who are lost.” Healing, reconciliation, and a renewal of trust will not be easy. But a first step in fulfilling our vocation may be to pray for the gift of faith, for the grace to believe, and for the courage and perseverance to move forward with hearts full of love, peace, and fraternal respect. In this spirit, we pray:

A Prayer to Believe

Most High God,
creator of all life,
maker of all things,
help us to believe
that your love and mercy
will overcome the world
and its petty tyrannies.

Help us to believe
that faith in you,
hope for the future,
and love of neighbor
will overcome the darkness
of doubt and division.

Help us to believe
that small acts of kindness
can shift the balance
of a world held hostage
by money, power, and privilege.

Help us to believe
that our humble prayers
make a difference in the struggle
against pride, power games,
and persecution of the poor
and the newcomer.

Help us to believe
that your loving hand
will touch the lives
of the lost, the forgotten,
and those who fear for their families.

Most High God,
help us to believe;
help us to rise above;
help us to reach out
and shine the light of Christ
into the darkest hearts
of the human family. Amen.

Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890) once wrote: “We believe because we love.” May our prayers help us to believe. May our prayers help us to love. May our prayers help us to transcend discord, reject the politics of vengeance, and reach out with love to the poor, the sick, and the stranger. May our prayers help us to live the Gospel, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild our lives, our communities, and our beloved country. May God bless you. May God bless America. May the Lord bring peace and harmony to all people everywhere.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

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LETTERS TO MY COUNTRY

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Art Credit: Natakorn Ruangrit – 162654655 – Dreamstime

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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