Sentinel Watch October 22, 2012 Issue

Prayer that transcends politics

Patricia S. Gantt Reiman—Colorado Springs, Colorado

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When passionate politics seem to reign and emotions are running high, can prayer bring peace? Is it possible to stay calm, quiet, reasonable, and rational when engaged in conversations with someone with different political views than our own?

In fact, prayer for a righteous government can help us to stay unmoved in the middle of divisive, derisive, and even deceptive political advertising—and to mitigate the negativity related to campaigning.

In praying about the elections, I have found comfort in something Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, said when asked about her politics. The Boston Post reported in November 1908: “Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy has always believed that those who are entitled to vote should do so, and she has also believed that in such matters no one should seek to dictate the actions of others.