Article September 21, 1992 Issue

Prayer and voting

Each one of us can make a difference in support of righteous and effective government.

James Scott Rosebush

Democratic societies are established on the fundamental concept of representative government deriving its power from the consent of the governed. The primary relationship between the governed and their representatives is symbolized by the ballot box. Here the individual fulfills a vital role in participatory government.

But what if confusion and manipulation threaten to undermine the election process? What if political campaigns appear to promote unsavory tactics and slick imagery rather than solid platforms? Just as every member of a democratic society has the right and responsibility to cast a vote, each one has an equal opportunity to pray for the electorate to be guided by divine wisdom, to pray for good government and for leaders with integrity. In fact, such prayer can be viewed as an essential duty.

To elect good leaders requires an appreciation of the qualities of good government and effective leadership on the part of the community. This places an important responsibility on us. Reaching a deeper understanding of the qualities needed in our leaders—qualities like integrity, honesty, perception, forthrightness, moral courage, and so on—comes through spiritual discernment and prayer. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, "The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking." We can earnestly pray, then, that infinite wisdom will lead to a recognition and collective support of the highest qualities of leadership.

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