"Faith leaders need to be stepping into the public square and building alliances that may not seem normal. What does that look like in your context?" - Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, Rethinking Conflict
Watch The Full Event Here!
Since 2024, the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network has hosted three prayer services at The Carter Center, bringing together senior faith leaders to reflect about the role of faith in healing our increasingly polarized communities. These leaders have shared diverse perspectives on how each of us can promote common values to ease the divisions existing within our communities and country. On January 8, Georgia faith leaders were joined by youth leaders of faith and Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, a world-renowned peacebuilder from Northern Ireland, for a powerful multi-faith assembly grounded in reflection, unity, and hope.
Highlights
“Peace will not come from louder arguments or sharper divides. It will come from love that costs us something, from courage that shows up before certainty, and from leaders willing to trust the next generation with the work of healing.” - Jasmin Sosa, Emerging Leaders for Community Change
"Whatever each of us takes from our individual faiths, it helps us to understand our common humanity, to stop insulting one another, to walk away when we are overwhelmed or fearful, to hear the cries of those who need us." - Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser, Union for Reform Judaism
"We need to move out of our synagogues, our mosques, our churches, and our temples, and be faith actors in the public square. Move out of the kind of rarefied atmosphere of our religious buildings and allow faith to spill into the street." - Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, Rethinking Conflict
“Congregations rely on [faith leaders] for guidance. When toxic politics affects the social fabric, our faith leaders are on the front lines.” - Barbara J. Smith, The Carter Center
And because I believe these words: that all of us are created equal, endowed by our Creator... with certain unalienable rights, among them Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. I will stand with you even when I disagree with you, and you have a right to disagree with me... I will defend that right.” - Rev. Dr. Randy Rainwater, Grace New Hope Church
"Friends, where we are, there is a river. Our places of worship: water. The workplace: water. Our world is filled with water, waiting for us to cast past the sea of what we can see. Because when we pray, like we are here today – when we embrace the openness to cast again – we breach the depths of God's eternal possibilities. So, I ask, ‘What will you cast?’” - Laurence Steven Minter, Emerging Leaders for Community Change
Sample Prayer for Our Nation
Loving and Gracious God,
We give you thanks for this, our cherished nation, that you have entrusted to our care for our
children and for generations to come. Guide us in your truth and ways.
We live in a time of disharmony and are troubled by our growing divides. Protect our country and
unify us.
Remind us that no matter our beliefs or views, we are all made in your image. Help us to love one
another as you love us.
Help us remember your call to peace. Make us and our places of worship places of
reconciliation and healing.
Give us the heart to find common ground and, where we cannot, to disagree peacefully and well.
Help us reject division and seek harmony.
Give us the capacity to listen to those with differing views so we may better understand them. Help
us build bridges with respect for our neighbors.
Unite us in a commitment to our shared democratic norms and let us reject violence in all forms.
Let our leaders guide us with love, integrity, and wisdom for the betterment of all.
These things we ask in the name of all that is holy and good. Amen.
This event is organized by Faith Forward Democracy, a multifaith, nonpartisan network of faith leaders and laity in Georgia who are united in concern for our increasingly divided nation and who believe that faith communities can make a positive difference. Faith Forward Democracy is part of the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network, which is supported by The Carter Center.