Following Tuesday’s election, our Northern Illinois Conference Bishop Sally Dyck called on us to pray for our country and for each other.
“While many feel hurt and fear questioning if racism, xenophobia, and other attitudes and actions that discriminate against people will become acceptable in speech and actions, we must pray that our better angel selves will emerge. Our better angel selves work for justice with love for all in speech and action in spite of our hurt and fear. Let us give witness to the best of our nation’s tradition and values as well as our faith. I pray for those who are feeling especially vulnerable, given what our new president-elect has said about them. Let us stand with them and surround them with prayer,” said Bishop Dyck.
In a congratulatory letter to President-elect Donald Trump on behalf of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, Council president Bishop Bruce R. Ough sent a prayer and a plea for the nation to come together.
“We are a deeply divided nation in a world community marred by division, war and unprecedented forced migration,” writes Bishop Ough, following Trump’s election as the 45th president of the United States. “This is a time for all Americans, particularly our political leaders, to put aside divisiveness and rancor and come together for the common good of this nation and the world.” Read the full statement.
General Board of Church and Society Secretary Susan Henry-Crowe issued the following statement: “May we stand united in prayer for all those who have accepted the mantle of leadership: that they might find strength and wisdom to lead our communities and country in the days ahead. We pray that they remain always focused on the common good, continually shaping through their words and actions a more just and peaceful world. Read the full statement.