SHANNON CRAIGO-SNELL

God of Solidarity, I give thanks tonight for the lay readers (neither academics nor clergy) from Kentucky who selected James Cone’s The Cross and the Lynching Tree to receive the 2018 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. Amen.

Holy God, I pray for every Muslim person who read, heard, or watched the news and somehow managed to get through the day continuing to practice a loving faith in the face of hatred. Amen.

Well, God, another day of crazy here. The “tax reform” plan moving forward would help the rich and hurt the poor, the demise of net neutrality would further hinder democracy, nuclear war looks alarmingly plausible (but at least they fired the expert diplomats!), membership in white supremacist groups is on the rise, and climate change is a unfolding disaster. And You know I have barely scratched the surface with this US- centered list. We could do with a little help around

Holy God, bless Senator Elizabeth Warren for fighting the current administration’s reverse Robin Hood policies and proposals that take money from the poor and give money to the rich. She is clearly driving the Occupant even further round the bend. I also pray tonight for the Navajo veterans who exemplified both honor and truth-telling in response to the Occupant’s racism. May we all be honorable, honest, infuriating obstacles to hate and greed in the White House. Amen.

Holy God, tonight I pray for those who daily slog through the profoundly unsexy work of being responsible citizens. Those who read and listen, weigh arguments and evidence, vote and volunteer. If the United States finds its footing again, it will be due to their efforts, to the quiet heroism of the Hufflepuffs of American politics. Between threats to net neutrality, a tax scheme that benefits the wealthy, and the intentional destruction of the State Department, I am not fee

God of Justice, I pray for those who work to secure and protect voting rights. Grant them victory over every attempt at suppression. Amen.

Triune God, I lift up tonight everyone who sees the importance of community, the reality of interdependence, and the harm that can be done by illusions of rugged individualism. Amen.

Steadfast God, bless those who are working to protect net neutrality. Amen.

Holy God, bless the proprietors of Rocklands Farm in Maryland. An event was booked at their venue through a third party. When the event turned out to be a gathering of white nationalists, the people of Rocklands Farm asked them to leave and returned their money. May we all be so clear in our values. Amen.

God of Jesus Christ, I lift up the organizers, authors, and signers of the Boston Declaration. May all Christians who believe that following Jesus means working for justice speak clearly this day. Amen.