Praying for Congresspeople to be nice ...

Religious leaders, facing the Capitol, praying at the United Methodist Building.

I believe in miracles. This is why I am joining in the 18-day prayer vigil to pray for Congress to be civil and constructive towards one another.

(Is the miracle comment too snide?)

The ecumenical prayer campaign is sponsored by a wide range of religious leaders who want political leaders to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry,” and to “avoid attacking the character of others or falsely impugning their motives,” according to Lauren Markoe of the Religion News Service.

Kevin Eckstrom

In RNS's daily round-up, our friend Kevin Eckstrom was a tad snide himself today. This is what he wrote:

 And in the wake of House Speaker John Boehner reportedly telling Senate Majority Leader to “go f*** yourself,” an unusually broad array of religious leaders is launching a three-week prayer campaign in the name of civility and decorum. Best of luck with that.

 The prayer vigil initiated by The Faith and Politics Institute  began yesterday but you can sign up to participate for the remaining 17 days here. You can even write your prayer on the website.

You can read the prayers that others have offered here.

My prayer says this:

For members of Congress, the White House, staffers, and all those who work for the federal government: Theirs is a holy calling and a sacred trust. May they always be biased toward the poor and the most vulnerable. Protect them from the poison of personal greed and ambition. Give them hearts to truly serve the common good. Help them to listen to each other well so that they can increasingly understand one another. Help them to care about people more than party. Grant them each night good rest and enough energy throughout the day to serve graciously and to extend grace to one another. Grant them joy in their service. Amen.

Prayers work better, I think, if you can avoid an attitude of snideness or cynicism as you pray them ... especially prayers for others not to be snide or cynical toward each other.

So I repent of my cynicism and hope Kevin (whom I know to be a praying man) does too.