Prayer for Times of Conflict: O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.                                                    Book of Common Prayer, pg. 824

It has been a divisive election year. The television ads have been particularly unsettling, not because they were simply derogatory, but because they took statements and actions utterly out of context, and named them "truth." Pilate was right when he asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:38).

Whether your candidate won or lost, whether today you are feeling jubilant or depressed, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are bound together in a common life. We are called by our Lord God to bind up the broken hearted, to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. We are called to be Christ's hands and hearts in the world: to seek out and serve all people, but particularly those who are poor, weak, sick, or lonely.

· Who, this week, needs an encouraging word?
· Who, this week, needs food or shelter?
· Who, this week, needs your time or your attention.

Let's get on with the business of our common life. God has a world in need of your heart and hands.