Praying the News
“How do we engage with all of this constant information so we can continue to care for our neighbors, while still caring for ourselves and well being?”
The news cycle never ends. We know this from our social media feeds where we move from story to story, moment to moment, breaking news to breaking news, all in the blink of an eye. Most of the time it feels like it is all bad news and all of the heaviness is compounding. So how do we engage with all of this constant information so we can continue to care for our neighbors, while still caring for ourselves and well being?
Today, we are giving you five prayers to help center yourself as you’re engaging with the constant news cycle and to give yourself grace as you decide how much to take in at any given time.
A prayer to remind me that no matter what I read, I am still loved by God.
Loving God, help me to remember, as I engage with today’s news, that what is written does not undo your love for me. I am beloved. I am worthy. I am enough. Amen.
A prayer for boundaries when doomscrolling.
God, may I remember that there is more to life than what is presented to me on my screen. Help me know when it is time to stop scrolling. Help me find ways to get connected with loving community or to connect with a hobby when I am feeling overwhelmed. Help me hold the boundaries I have created for myself around how much time I give to the news or certain topics of the day. Remind me that my care is important and it is okay to take a break from the news cycle. Amen.
A prayer for understanding.
God of Clarity, help me read with eyes for truth and a heart of understanding. Allow me to be empathetic towards others’ struggles, even if I truly do not understand what others are experiencing and going through. Encourage me to dig deeper when appropriate so I can confidently advocate for the needs of others. Amen.
A prayer for those who are directly impacted.
God, hold those who are affected by this news find peace and hope. May they receive what they need as they recover, wrestle with grief, and rebuild from the devastation. May those who caused the harm realize the error of their actions, and stop the harm that is still unfolding. Amen.
A prayer for action.
God of Love, help me discern how to respond to the needs of others as the news unfolds. Help me know what is truly helpful for others as we all work with the information that we have. Let me not be afraid to be a helping hand, even when helping may feel uncomfortable, or it disrupts my day. May my actions help bring peace to this world. Amen.
We hope that these prayers serve as a prayer for you to use when you are unsure how to engage with the news of the day, as a prayer for you to add on to, or to use as a starting point for your specific needs. Remember, beloved, you are wholeheartedly loved by God and the news of the day does not change that.
Would you like to go receive LGBTQ+ Christian devotionals, resources and educational pieces in your inbox? Add your email into the form below and we will add you to our Monday Invocation email list!
