pray the news

Opening Invocation

For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.

Deep Focus

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God… Rather if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21

Jesus you did not use violence. You never hurt anyone. You never struck anyone. You never killed anyone. You did not tolerate injustice, greed, hypocrisy, or untruth. You confronted systemic injustice head on. This is what we are called to do.

This week was a maelstrom of violence; both violent acts and violent speech. It has been hard on nearly everyone, but especially on those who lost loved ones; eleven Venezuelan people at sea struck by an American missile, an influential political figure so divisive the division continues after his death, two children in a Colorado school shot and injured.

Everyone is wounded. We don’t know what to do anymore. It’s as if a Pandora’s box was opened and a slew of evil spirits of hatred and violence were released, swirling around and between us, causing more and more alienation, anger and confusion. But they have no power over us, because we belong to you. We are not at war with human beings but the powers and principalities of darkness, the spirit of murder, of hate and lies. Sometimes they seem so unstoppable. But it’s not true. There is no truth in them. In your tender compassion, Lord, may the dawn from on high break upon us, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

You are the Friend who we know loves us, all of us.

Let us gather our strength for love and nonviolence from you.

*Spend a quiet moment with Jesus. He is working in his mother’s garden. Join him. What is he doing? See that smile? He is glad you are here. He has something small in hand. He presses it to you heart. What is it? Seeds? A tiny star? A healing warmth? What do you feel?

Other Intercessions/headlines of this week

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18

Lord, you hear the cry of the poor. We often do not. Now they are not only being ignored or disdained, some are being rounded up like criminals or trash. An influential media figure suggested the homeless should be euthanized. He is sorry for what he said. However, it was a a shocking moment, a symptom of something so wrong with us. We pray that you purify our hearts of any part of us that looks down on the poor and unhoused. Help us to truly see them. You said they were you. Every time we see them, we have an opportunity to prove our love to you. Let us be humble in our contact with the people the world pushes aside, remembering we have so much to learn. In public discourse, which they are almost always excluded from, inspire us to speak up for them as you would have us do.

Israel attacked Qatar, continues to starve and bomb Palestinian civilians, and Russia continues to attack Ukraine. What can we do about these horrible things so far away? Bring us with you, Lord, to the foot of the Cross. Allow us to carry your Precious Blood to all who suffer violence and war to bring them healing. We kneel before you, Jesus Crucified, and prostrate ourselves in spirit. We ask you on behalf of for parents who have lost children, for children who have lost their families, for the wounded in hospitals, for the doctors without the medicine and equipment they need to ease pain and save lives, for every frightened child waiting for the next explosion, for peace, for a just and lasting, a true peace. May the bombs stop falling. May there be justice and righteousness. May your mercy pour over all. Never let us accept or normalize genocide or the weaponization of hunger.

We pray for immigrants who are still be rounded up violently and detained without due process in terrible conditions. Lord we pray for their dignity and fair treatment. We pray over our country’s need for a scapegoated group of people, that it will be healed of this so that we can love our brothers and sisters as ourselves; the love you have commanded. Guide us to any actions we must take.

Help us to love those who preach hate, those who accept it, or deny what is happening. Help us to bless and not curse our enemies, to pray for them humbly as you want us to, even as we speak out against what we must. Help us to become better rather than bitter.

We pray for an end to racism; the loud kind, or the unconscious and hidden kind; both in others and in ourselves. Help us who are not people of color to listen to those who are about these issues.

We pray for democracy, for the ideals of our constitution of liberty and justice for all.

We pray for Pope Leo XIV on this, his birthday. Bless him with long life and holiness in his strong and gentle rule over the Catholic Church, in his love for all people.

We pray that all people will grow in mercy and compassion.

“Protect us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day.”

Closing Blessing

Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.

“With gentle words, tender and kind
Isaiah 40:1a

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,

O Prince of the heavenly hosts,

by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen

Opening Invocation

Give us joy for the days of our affliction, for the years when we looked upon evil.
Psalm 90:15

Deep Focus

May our daughters [be] like columns adorned for a palace.
Psalm 144:12b

Lord, the horror these women went through as girls has sickened us. Only you know the depth of their suffering, of the damage done, how re-traumatized they are after speaking up this week. May they be believed and may they see justice in their lifetimes. May they feel protected now as they should have been then. Jesus, you have said if someone harms one of your little ones it would be better for them to be thrown in the river tied to a millstone. Your compassion is with these women. Send your mother to help them heal. May she pray for Epstein survivors, and for all survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking. May she cover them with her mantle, encircle them in her arms, strengthen and free them of their nightmares and the daily struggles they face in their woundedness. May these daughters more and more continue growing stronger, with grace and beauty like columns holding up our nation.

Lord Jesus, bring your mercy and truth to abusers that they may repent. In the mercy they receive, may they begin to live in righteousness, making amends for what they have done.

*Bring a mental image of the Epstein Survivors into the presence of Mother Mary. She has been waiting for them. Bring each one to her., one by one. What does she do? What does she say? Does she ask anything of you?

Other Intercessions/Headlines to pray over

O Lord, let your kindness rest upon us,
for we have placed our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22

We pray that you infuse the CDC and NIH and all government agencies and officials responsible for the health of the American people with wisdom, integrity, and respect for gold standard science. We have nothing to fear from wisdom and truth or the facts the scientific process brings us, for you created it all. Bring the people discernment so we know who to trust about our health. May doctors and nurses follow truth in their care of us all.

We pray for the reasonable prosperity of our country in light of the disappointing jobs report and the unhinged economic policies, chaos and trade wars this administration inflicts on our system. May we find a way and may everyone looking for work find meaningful work that meets their needs and brings them dignity.

We pray for our trans brothers and sisters, who are your children as much as we are, that they will be safe from violence, and free from persecution from society and the law for nothing but being trans. Forgive us Lord for the unkindness and hysteria heaped on them in these dark times of intolerance and hate.

We pray for ICE that they will be led to repentance for their violence and cruelty. We pray that they will seek and find better jobs that help instead of harm others; work they can be proud of. We pray for everyone who lives in fear of them, all who are detained, and all of the deported.

We pray for our national guard and armed forces, that they will be true to their pledge to uphold the Constitution and to protect the American people. Give each of them courage and strength when the time comes to resist any illegal orders.

For the cities the president is threatening, may they be safe and free in the face of injustice, and for the people of our capital city.

We pray for our courts that they will mete out justice wisely and impartially according to the Constitution of the United States.

For a just and lasting peace for Palestine, Ukraine and all people suffering war and violence. For the Palestinian people to be saved from famine. For all who suffer malnutrition to be fed. That we ourselves who are safe and well fed will be motivated to feed the hungry and protect the vulnerable.

We pray for all enemies of justice and peace, that they will be stopped, amend their ways, and work for righteousness.

You who are Love, perfect us in love.

Closing Blessing

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand..

Isaiah 41:10

Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, Our Mother. To you we come, before you we kneel; sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but on your mercy, hear and answer them. Amen.