O God of Peace and Diversity, the American political system is rife with incivility. We know similar situations exist in other political systems around the world. Today, we pray specifically that you will guide American Republicans and Democrats into the kind of mutual respect that is necessary to move the government out of gridlock so it can deal with the major issues of the day. We pray for political leaders and also for those rank-and-file party members who give them their marching orders.

Poll: Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines, and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive than at any point in the last two decades. This manifests itself in the contempt expressed when the other party as a threat to the nation's well-being; in each party, the share of people with a highly negative view of the opposing party has more than doubled since 1994. The differences between the right and the left include disagreements over politics, friends, and desired communities. The most politically active are the least willing to see the parties meet each other halfway. (People-Press.org)

Opener of Doors, we respect the commitment and the passion of politicians and their constituents. But we are concerned that this passion is shutting doors rather than opening them. Give us the insights and the attitudes we need to change this pattern wherever we find it.

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