More than 60 percent of Afghans turned out to vote on Friday, electing the country’s first new president in more than ten years. The Taliban had threatened retribution against those who participated, but the violence mostly failed to appear. In spite of some violence in rural areas, no large-scale attacks took place, and record numbers of Afghans voted in cities unhindered. Eight candidates ran to replace President Hamid Karzai, who has led the country since 2001 and is not eligible for reelection.

“Elections in Afghanistan: a prayer for peace and wisdom” discusses how prayer — not in support of one individual candidate or party, but in support of peace and electoral integrity — can make a big difference in Afghanistan. Focusing on glimmers of hope from Afghanistan, such as reports of low levels of violence, is recognizing that spiritual strength can overcome any fear or unrest that would try to compromise the election or its aftermath.

In spite of the high election turnout, Afghan democracy still faces significant challenges, including continued violence and ethnic tensions. “‘Thy will be done’ government” explores how each of us can pray in support of stability and freedom for Afghanistan and other countries. These qualities come from God and are spiritual, and so are enforced by divine law. The author mentions a statement by Mary Baker Eddy: “ ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’—obeyed, is sufficient to still all strife. God is the divine Mind. Hence the sequence: Had all peoples one Mind, peace would reign” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 279).