SHANNON CRAIGO-SNELL

God of Grace, I pray blessing on all the different groups from various religious organizations in Louisville who are holding prayer vigils around the city in solidarity with immigrant neighbors. They are drawing attention to the increasing deportations and detentions that are harming our community. One of the primary tasks of a Christian is to not look away from suffering. This is too enormous for any one of us to pull it off alone. We can only bear to witness the reality of

God of Compassion, I pray for John Kasich, Governor of Ohio, who repudiated false claims about Medicaid from the White House. Bless all governors who are looking out for the well-being of their constituents. Amen.

Holy God, I pray for the senators who plan to vote against the GOP's medicaid cutting healthcare bill. I pray for those senators who are undecided. Grant them strength. Give them guidance. Call them toward the common good. Amen.

Creator God, bless the Sri Lankan Navy, which rescued an elephant caught in a riptide. Elephants are excellent swimmers, but currents are fierce. It took four vessels and a team of divers to get the elephant to solid ground. It feels like the U.S. Is caught in a political and cultural riptide. Learning from the examples of the family in Florida and the elephant in Sri Lanka, it seems the way to escape a riptide is sustained collective effort, backed by the communal will to ca

God of Wisdom, I pray for guidance for all of us who care for this country as a terribly flawed but hopeful experiment in democratic governance. For some of us, the election of the current resident of the White House was unimaginable, because his behavior runs afoul of social and political norms. His actions since the inauguration have been similar--disregard and disdain for basic manners, honesty, decency, integrity, governmental protocol, and the noblest values of our coun

God of Mercy, I was awed today by the determined humanity of beach-goers in Florida who clasped hands and locked arms to save a family caught in a riptide. Several individuals had tried to rescue the swimmers, but they were also caught in the current. Then the people on the beach formed a human chain and accomplished together what no one could do alone. Theologian Marion Grau pointed out that health insurance works on the same principle. Bless everyone trying to make a huma

God of Mercy, I was awed today by the determined humanity of beach-goers in Florida who clasped hands and locked arms to save a family caught in a riptide. Several individuals had tried to rescue the swimmers, but they were also caught in the current. Then the people on the beach formed a human chain and accomplished together what no one could do alone. Theologian Marion Grau pointed out that health insurance works on the same principle. Bless everyone trying to make a huma

Fierce God of Love and Power, I give thanks for the Catholic sisters who are dedicating an open-air chapel on their land in Pennsylvania in the path of the proposed Atlantic Sunrise pipeline. Their order, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, owns the land, but the legal intricacies of eminent domain allow the Williams Partners to build and operate a pipeline through it. The sisters say this pipeline would violate their faith and their land ethic. May their witness be powerful

God of Grace, bless Pete Souza, the White House photographer during President Obama's tenure. His timely posts of old photos serve as a consistent reminder that what is happening now is neither normal nor acceptable. Please continue to inspire him. Amen.

God of Abundance, I lift up all those who love across boundaries and bloodlines and borders. Due to the partial implementation of the current administration's travel ban targeting Muslims, the government is drawing limitations on what is recognized as close family. This seems nonsensical to me (and not just because grandparents are excluded). Love makes family, and love doesn't work that way. Help us to love each other fiercely in these days. Amen.