# Discernment of the truth and prayer to the Holy Spirit
*2016-11-04*

> As the 2016 U.S. election approaches, Bill Young reflects on the importance of seeking divine guidance and shares a prayer to the Holy Spirit for discernment.

## Seeking guidance for the election

With the U.S. election only a few days away, many people are still undecided or unsure of their decisions. Whether you are voting early or waiting until Tuesday, it is a vital time to ask the Lord for guidance. I have found that when I ask the Holy Spirit for an answer and don't find it immediately, I usually have a general idea of what to do by the next day. The Holy Spirit truly does guide us.

## A nation under God

I recently came across a quote from former President Ronald Reagan that says, "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under." We must remember that we are a nation under one God, and that is what unites us all—from Catholics and Christians to those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths, and even those who may struggle to believe. I invite anyone, regardless of their faith, to join me in this prayer for discernment.

## Prayer for the discernment of truth

O Spirit of God, who through your light, we can distinguish between truth and error, help us to know the truth. Dispel our illusions and show us reality. Grant that we may recognize the true language of God in the depths of our soul, and help us to distinguish it from every other voice. Show us your divine will in every circumstance of our life, so that we may make the right decisions, to discern the signs of God in all events and the proposals which He makes to us. Grant that we may discern your suggestions so that we may not miss any of your inspirations. Give us that supernatural perception which allows us to discover what love demands, and grant us to understand all that generosity asks of us. And above all, lift our gaze to you, O Holy Spirit, wherever your activity reaches us and touches us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

*By praying to the Holy Spirit, we can find the truth and the discernment necessary to make the right decisions under God.*