In Category Red election hot spot Abra, residents campaign with a prayer

BAGUIO, Philippines – Abra has shown in the past days that its being a Category Red election hot spot is no fluke. Political killings and violence have been recorded. Candidates have ignored public political debates. Political goons have their own Instagram accounts and accusations of vote-buying are flooding Facebook. 

In the midst of all this, a prayer for election in Abra has been uploaded Friday morning, May 10. It was written by Fr. Elmar Cabunot, the biblical director of the Diocese of Abra and prepared by Gian Ramos.

It has an optometrist, Red Cross volunteer, nurses, high school students, a principal, government employees, teachers, a sign language interpreter, mothers and even Teofilo “Tata Pilo” Garcia, the famous kattukong (gourd hat) maker, reciting the three-minute prayer in their homes, church and parks in Abra. 

Here is the prayer:

“Almighty and ever-living God the giver of life and grace, our heart is full of gratitude for the spirit of joy, for the spirit of mission, for the spirit of faith, hope and love.

“God of integrity and truth, we pray for wisdom as we prepare for the upcoming election. Impart your wisdom to all who propose policies that their promises may serve those in greatest need. Give integrity to party leaders, candidates and campaign workers, and keep them from deceit and corruption.

“We ask our God to bestow your love of justice as one steward. Help us to rule with generosity and compassion so that the poor and the powerless may be treated fairly and with justice.

“Open our ears to the cries of help from our brothers and sisters who are abused and exposed to violence, the lost, the last and the least. Share with us the light of wisdom to know the truth, and courage to know the dictates of our conscience.

“We are called to become laborers on your vineyard to live out your three-fold mission of Christ as prophet, king and priest. We are called to become one as brothers, not to become indifferent to one another.

“To love others and not to judge them. To pray for them and not to curse them. To respect them and not to compete with them.We are not like the Pharisees, we are our brother’s keeper. To think with the mind of God. To listen with the ears of God. To see with the eyes of God. To touch with the hands of God. And to love with the heart of God. Amen.” – Rappler.com