Hopeful signs of change

Yesterday my 15-year-old son and I stopped at a store on the way home from school. As we were walking toward the car, he said casually, "I've started saying the Pledge of Allegiance again." I asked him what he meant, and he said, "At my school nobody used to say the Pledge in the morning. But now that Obama is president, we all say the Pledge again." He said a friend had shushed him that morning during the school-wide pledge, which is broadcast over the high school's public address system in first period class, saying, "Be quiet! I gotta say this for my boy!" (meaning President Obama).

This to me is a beautiful, even miraculous, sign of hope--15-year-olds who are still growing into their right to vote are adding their voices to the vision of change, healing, empowerment, and peace for this nation. It's already happening, America. Thank God!

God, thank you for the powerful energy of growth, hope, and change that has already been planted and is now growing in the hearts of every person touched by Obama's vision of a better day. The higher angels of our nature are showing up. May we see and encourage these better choices, higher ideals, shared missions in each other and throughout all levels of our government, our workplaces, and our daily lives. Enable President Obama to see clearly the hope he has ignited in the people and be sustained and nourished by the good leading him and the good surrounding all he does throughout his day. Amen.

Praying for guidance

In times like these, we are looking for answers, guidance, security. The world around us it pitching and swaying, with fresh layoffs every day, news of businesses closing, a stock market that rises and falls like our breath and our hopes. Where do we turn for real answers, for a reliable path, for some structure that holds?

I think it's part of our story right now that we are looking closer at the choices we exercise in all areas of our lives. Who will we trust? What do we invest in? What do we count as the blessings in our lives? What do we really want and need? We are searching for a "new normal." Waking up and knowing where to place our feet feels uncomfortable and scary.

But let's count the things we do have. We've got an amazing new leader, the embodiment of truth and integrity and hope. We've got readiness--a majority of people in this country voted this remarkable change into leadership. We've got the basic gifts and talents of each and every person in this country and around the world; we all have something to offer or we wouldn't be here.

Our awakening this morning was a prayer for guidance. We listen, we wait, we watch headlines, we pray. Whether you pray by singing, thinking, drawing, moving, reaching out, serving others, or sitting quietly in your room, listen carefully for the guidance that comes to you today--in love, in peace, as relief and warmth. You'll feel it, see it, hear it, know it when it comes. No matter what your faith or tradition, you are being led and comforted. May we each be fully aware of the loving hand of wisdom on our shoulders today.

God, thank you for the huge blessings we are already experiencing--there is light here, even as people and stories and headlines point out what we fear. May you give us the light and strength and courage to look through the headlines into the life of promise; to know that in the depths of our challenge lies the green growth of change. That by knowing clearly what we don't want, we are in thought creating the life we do want--for ourselves and for each other. May you give us the vision to feel and know a rich and loving inner world that must blossom like spring around us in due course. Please continue to bless President Obama as he listens, leads, and opens the path for the healing of this nation and the flourishing of our world. Bless and protect his family in these days of heavy call and response and give them gifts of joy, peace, and family connection that outshines the challenges of their public life. Amen.

Clear eyes, fresh heart

It's tempting to say that the real work begins today, but truly it began years ago, when President Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and lit the fire of inspiration and hope in peoples' hearts. Well, actually, it began before that, in a climate of fuzzy rhetoric and marketing spin. Well, actually it began before that in a generation on the run to bigger and better, searching for fulfillment of the always hungry "me," looking for something to believe in and a way to find some traction for their dreams--I mean our dreams--of lasting happiness.

The work and life and energy and spirit that brings Obama and each and all of us to this moment in time has no beginning and no end. Life and goodness is expanding, lifting its head, opening its arms. Hope is fresh today. Our sight is clear today. There is potential in the engaged attention, awareness, and willingness of a people, not only from sea to shining sea but around the globe.

God, thank you so much for your presence and power, the peace and celebration, the hope that transcends and shines through all life, which were so plainly clear in the celebration of President Obama's inauguration. Give him rest and clarity today even as he begins his formal duties as our new president. Bless Michelle and their daughters as they begin to acclimate to their new life and home. Grant us all an awareness of the commitments we've made in our own hearts--to hope, to change, to share, to join our missions and live with joy. Help Obama's words, All are equal, all are free, all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness, to guide our steps in love, compassion, appreciation, and gratitude of one another in the days ahead. Thank you for this day, this hour, this moment, and our precious place in it. Amen.

For this day we have come

Today is the day! A new era begins, and with it, all the culminating blessings of what we have learned, hoped for, and believed in our heart of hearts was possible. Deep within the dream that has brought Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States is the inherent value and blessing of goodness--the equality of persons, the freedom of the spirit, the integrity of a shared life of service, the vision of a better day, the partnership that realizes and demonstrates the power of the Light: Where two or three are gathered...

Gracious, loving, all-present God, we thank you for bringing us to this moment when hearts are filled with hope, when a better future stretches before us all, when the goodness of being beckons us forward. We ask continual and steady blessings on our soon-to-be new president, Barack Obama, and ask that you continue to stir his heart and mind with the inspiration and wisdom he needs to lead us forward, that you continue drawing to him just the people, resources, ideas, and places that are needed in our collaborative effort to heal our country, our relationships, and our world. We pray for blessings on the entire Obama family, for Michelle, that she may continue in power and grace to listen to the dictates of her heart as she cares for her family and begins to find what calls her talents in her role as First Lady. We ask blessings for their precious girls, that your hand may be upon them that they receive only good from this great service their family provides; that their childhood may be blessed and lifted; that they may feel a special touch upon their lives with you as their protector, guide, and friend.

We pray for our country, O God, which has already begun to find its feet and its voice, discerning a path toward openness, healing, hope, and vision; may all Americans be united this day with a sense of belief, hope, and pride, but may we each and all carry forward a commitment to live out the ideals needed to truly manifest the ideals this country represents. And we pray for the entire world, at this blessed, joyous, and tender moment. As the world listens and watches, taking a breath together and praying a silent prayer of hope, may this be a joining and defining moment throughout the world. For this generation, for this time, for this day, for all people--before, around, and after us--we must open our hearts and fully welcome the changes that are ours to make. It is for this day we have all come, throughout the world, to make the world a better place for our children, grandchildren, and all beings everywhere.

God bless President Obama and his family, God bless every citizen throughout the world, and God bless us as a whole creation, One in Love, forever and ever. Amen.