Disciplined Hope. Shannon Craigo-Snell

Every one who is reflecting on the consistent biblical mandate to care for the refugee. Every one who is reflecting on the grace-filled call to right relationship and the sinfulness of racism. Every one who is reflecting on prophetic calls to justice and mercy. It is always easier to preach and teach a weaker gospel. But it is faithful to tell the truth of who you are and who we are called to be.

      Bless these Christian leaders. Give them perseverance in the face of complaints that religion ought not be political, as these complaints ignore both the gospel and the reality that silence is also a political statement. Grant them insight, patience, and good metaphors. Bless them with courage and humility in equal measure.

      Triune God, I ask you not just to bless these leaders individually, but also to bless them in relation, giving them strength in community. Give them each, and all together, the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

      February 24, 2017

      God of Revelation, I pray for Marty Baron. I only know about this person through the work produced by the Boston Globe while he was editor (from the Spotlight team reporting on sexual abuse within the Catholic church, for instance) and, more recently, through the excellent journalism of the Washington Post on political issues since he became editor there in 2013. Through his work, I know him to be a leader in journalism in the United States, and someone who is not easily intimidated.

      But God, you know Marty Baron completely. So I ask you to bless this man with whatever he needs to support and empower investigative journalism. You know what fuels his work—coffee or anger or good music in the background or prayer or carbohydrates. Whatever it is, PLEASE GIVE HIM SOME. And spread that blessing around. Pour your grace on every editor in every news outlet that cares about factual accuracy. Somewhere today the next great editors of the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and the Washington Post are cutting their teeth on local stories in small towns around the country. Please bless them, too. Amen.45

      February 25, 2017

      Faithful God, please bless all the community organizers who are working to resist the current administration’s harmful policies. Bless those who have been doing this for decades and those who are new to this vocation.

      Some of us are used to thinking there are grown-ups in charge and they will do their jobs. Others are used to thinking that the government has never been interested in their well-being. Community organizers take up the task of convincing the first group that their imagined political savior is not coming; and convincing the second group that their own political activism can make a difference.