As faith leaders and people of all faiths and belief systems, we come together at the end of a monumental election in the history of our nation. This election had the highest participation rate in America’s history as voters from all communities turned out in record numbers. We know that this is a deeply personal moment that we all may be experiencing in different ways. However, we come together, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of faith tradition, to pray with and for one another and our nation.
As faith leaders, we believe in one another and in the integrity of the election process. Americans have been through a great deal of trauma, yet we have continued to seek space to stand together. Amid multiple pandemics, injustices, and oppressions, we were confident and continue to believe that God is enough, that God would see us through.
First and foremost, pray and give thanks for an American election process that is free, fair and complete. With over 156 million votes cast, pray that state and local elected officials, county elections officers and ordinary Americans in polling locations across this nation do their part to ensure the integrity of the election process.
In this moment of change, we encourage all to pray for peace, unity and justice for all. These basic tenets of our nation’s Constitution must be heralded by every freedom-loving American now as much as any other critical time in America’s history.
In keeping with age-old American traditions of decorum, civility and respect for each political party and the voice of the people through their vote, pray for our elected officials and for an orderly transition of power at the appointed time.
We encourage all who love this country to honor, respect, and pray for the healing of our nation to begin. For that to happen, we must acknowledge the righteous lament of a previously silent majority. We acknowledge those who have for decades, and even centuries, been marginalized by American society, those who have in recent years lost family members, livelihoods and homes due to COVID-19, those whose families have been separated by unjust criminal laws or immigration policy; those who, while eligible to vote before, have not trusted the vote in the past, but who took the chance to lift their voices through their vote this year.
Beginning Monday, November 9 at pm, we will gather for prayer and celebration even as the vote count in Maricopa County wraps up. Although some try to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote in our state, we will create a safe space of belonging for everyone. We believe every vote is sacred and every vote must be counted.
This nation needs healing from all of the division, mistrust, and trauma that affected the hearts and minds of the people and threatened the integrity of American systems. But God is faithful that amid all of this: because of God’s faithfulness, we were not consumed. And now, faith leaders in Arizona do our part to bring this time in our nation to a peaceful conclusion. We stretch our hands in love to all Americans, all Arizonans, and all other persons living within our borders, and we commit to move forward together for the sake of truth, peace, unity, and justice for all.
Signed:
African American Christian Clergy Coalition
Arizona Faith Network
Arizona Interfaith Movement
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
CORAZÓN Faith in Action
Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA
International Ministerial Council of Arizona
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix
Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Arizona Chapter
Neighborhood Ministries
Presbytery of the Grand Canyon, PCUSA
Sema Foundation
Tempe Interfaith Fellowship
University Presbyterian Church