Shine Your Light

A poem – a prayer for Election Day 2020 by Lisa Sharon Harper

We are on the brink.
Standing at a precipice called “the unknown” we gasp.
Air fills lungs constricted by an-xi-e-ty.
Muscles tight.
Minds refuse to rest.
How did it used to be?
We dreamed and laughed and planned
and pushed for particular justice.
Now dreams evade with sleep
And now, we see…
We are all wrapped “in a single garment of destiny.” (1)

And as we peer into the abyss
We see the chaos coming.
What we do not see—what we do not know
Is this:
How will we greet the nether lands?
Will we allow fear to move our hands to violence?
Or will we breeeeaaaathe?
Hands to heart
Hands clasped.
Hands to earth
Hands to God.

Precious Lord, take our hands,
Lead us on. Let us stand.
Through the storm, through the night
Lead us on to the light
Take our hands, precious Lord.
Lead us home. (2)

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(1) Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (April 16, 1963)
(2) Thomas A. Dorsey, “Take my hand, Precious Lord,” (August 1932)

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A prolific speaker, writer and activist, Lisa Sharon Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in our nation by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action. The author of several books, she is columnist at Sojourners Magazine and an Auburn Theological Seminary Senior Fellow. Ms. Harper has appeared on TVOne, FoxNews Online, NPR, and Al Jazeera America. Her writing has been featured in CNN Belief Blog, The National Civic Review, Sojourners, The Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine, and Essence Magazine. She writes extensively on shalom and governance, immigration reform, health care reform, poverty, racial and gender justice, climate change, and transformational civic engagement. In 2015, The Huffington Post named Ms. Harper one of 50 powerful women religious leaders to celebrate on International Women’s Day. In 2019, The Religion Communicators Council named a two-part series within Ms. Harper’s monthly Freedom Road Podcast “Best Radio or Podcast Series of The Year.” And in 2020 Ms. Harper received The Bridge Award from The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation in recognition of her dedication to bridging divides and building the beloved community.