Loving God, you have always looked with special favor upon those who are small, weak or oppressed.

You are known for your "stunning upsets", championing the underdog and bestowing your greatest blessings upon people the world regards as insignificant.

Bless your servant Howard Dean as he works to create real change in our government so that it better reflects your will--on earth as it is in heaven. Bless and strengthen those of us who have been inspired by Howard's message and courage, and feel called to give of our time, money, and talents in order to help elect him. Strengthen us when we feel defeated. Fill our minds with your peace when we doubt. Fill our hearts with your love, even when others try to tear us down. If your beloved Son could say, "Forgive them, Father for they know not what they do", then we too must find it in ourselves to forgive those who seek to destroy what we have built. This is not easy for us, so we ask your help.

We ask also that you open the ears, eyes, and hearts of our brothers and sisters. Help them to really hear what we are saying without any cynical distortion. Help them to see the community we are building--as it really is, not as it has been described to them. And help them believe in their hearts that real change can happen if we join together in hope, not fear.