Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Democratic National Convention
Wells Fargo Center
ALSO: Press Release: “God is neither a Republican nor Democrat”
Benediction by Dr. Tony Campolo
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
Dear God,
We are a nation that needs healing. Break down the barriers of race and ethnicity that separate us. Cure the sexism and homophobia that denies the dignity of so many of our fellow Americans. Help us to overcome our fears of refugees and show us how to love our enemies and overcome evil with good. Imbue our religious leaders with your love so that they will teach us how to transcend our differences and become one people.
Teach us how to beat our swords into plowshares and learn war no more.
We pray that the next president of our country will sense the obligation to reach out with our vast resources to minister to those who You called, “the least of these,” not only here in America but to needy people around the world.
May all of our political leaders be committed to making America into a people that strive to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide care for all the sick, speak justice on behalf of the oppressed, and make room for refugees, remembering Your own Son who was once a refugee in the land of Egypt.
On this memorable night, we pray for Hillary Clinton. May her candidacy send a message to women everywhere that the glass ceiling that has held so many of them down is being broken, and that a new day is dawning not only for women but for all people everywhere.
We ask all these things in Your holy name.
Amen
Questions or comments may be directed to CampoloCenter [at] eastern [dot] edu or tcampolospeaker [at] eastern [dot] edu.
– Tony’s Team at the Campolo Center at Eastern University