SHANNON CRAIGO-SNELL

Steadfast God, bless the Notre Dame graduates who protested when Mike Pence spoke at their commencement. It was a peaceful demonstration of their support for the LGBTQ community as well as their dissatisfaction with the policies and rhetoric of the current administration. May these graduates continue to engage the political realities that cause harm to neighbors, friends, and family members. Grant them compassion for all who are vulnerable. Give them persistent strength to

Creator God, I pray for those who resist our current political fiasco by running for office. Lift those who have a heart for public service. Encourage those who value democracy. Sustain those who invest their time and energy into the common good. Amen.

God of Healing, I pray for this brave woman, Molly Young. In the midst of her own struggle with breast cancer, she is resisting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. May her doctors, nurses, and other medical care-givers be ridiculously brilliant and skillful. May her body respond wonderfully to the treatment and medication. May she be surrounded by supportive family and friends. May she look back with pride--decades from now--knowing that she helped prevent d

Holy God, keep it coming with the journalists. Give them dogged perseverance, reliable sources, desire for truth, and a keen sense of duty. Amen.

God of Wisdom, bless Barbara Rank, a retired special education teacher who wrote a brief letter to her local paper in response to a congressman's claim that it is crazy to mandate that insurance cover pregnancy. Ms Rank's concise and elegant letter included these words: "It's called democracy, a civil society, the greater good." Please surround Ms. Rank with thoughtful people who appreciate her literary skills. Encompass her with a community that strives for the greater good.

God of Creativity and Hope, bless the graduates. Work with and through them to make the world a more just, compassionate, and joyful place. Amen.

Merciful God, bless John Oliver. He gambled his career on the belief that a significant number of people in the U.S. would tune in for a lecture once a week. A witty lecture, yes, but fundamentally didactic. He makes us laugh and offers us the knowledge necessary to participate in shaping our shared world. Please grant this quirky person a large classroom of eager learners. Inspire and guide him. Continue to give him clear vision and fierce hope. And while You're at it, ple

God of Wisdom and Delight, bless the person or persons behind Merriam-Webster's twitter account. When the current occupant of the White House mangles language--especially when he does so in a misleading or deceptive fashion--the good people at Merriam-Webster tweet accurate definitions and etymologies. The dictionary has taken up its place in the resistance. Amen.

God of Righteousness and Peace, bless the 2017 graduates of Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black institution. These graduates refused to normalize the appointment of an unqualified person to the post of Education Secretary by sitting quietly through Betsy DeVos' commencement address. They turned their backs to her. Not polite, but neither was overturning tables in the temple. May the Spirit of justice continue to move among these graduates. Please also bless the 2

Holy God, bless Senator John McCain, who appears to be the moral backbone of the Republican party. Grant him strength of purpose as he calls for a select committee to investigate ties between Russia and the current administration. Protect him from pressure to acquiesce with deception. Provide him wise counselors and steadfast friends. Preserve his dedication to democracy, transparency, and rule of law. Amen.