Taking the News to Prayer

I have started reading Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Dilexit Nos, that was released last week.  I am also planning to read the final document from the synod that concluded last week.  It was immediately released in Italian but I have not seen an English version yet.  So, I may write something soon here on one or both of those documents.

For now, as I look at the news for topics to write on, much of it seems to be the same stuff repeating itself.  So, without seeing something new to write about, today I will offer some ideas on things we can be praying for based on what we hear in the news.

The fighting between Israel and Hamas (as well as Hezbollah) continues.  I read this weekend that Egypt has proposed a two-day cease fire.  They call for the release of four hostages as part of this.  They also present the idea as an opportunity to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.  I hope all of you are praying for an end to this conflict.  Today, I invite you to pray specifically for at least a temporary but immediate cease fire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza safely.  Everyone has a right to the basic necessities of life.

Iran has not retaliated for Israel’s strike within their country.  However, they have not ruled it out.  Let us pray that both sides come to end the back-and-forth retaliation.  With each individual attack, each side claims to retaliate for the most recent attack.  It is time to end peacefully the back-and-forth attacks.  War does not bring true and lasting peace.

The campaigning continues for the presidential election in the United States.  The negativity continues.  Let us pray for an end to the negativity and that each candidate would explain how their own proposals would accomplish good for our country. 

With early voting, voting is going on now through next Tuesday.  Let us pray that each person discerns their vote carefully, interpreting the signs of the times by the light of faith.

It seems to have fallen out of the headlines, but the recovery efforts continue from recent hurricanes.  So, I do not know the current status of electrical outages, road damage, and stores not able to open and sell basic necessities.  Let us pray for those still facing immediate effects of the hurricanes and for those who lost their homes or suffered major damage.

In the news one hears of North Korea sending troops to aid Russia as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.  I still do not know what this war is about.  Regardless of the Russia’s intent, let us pray for an end to this war and all wars.

The Synod on Synodality in the Catholic Church ended this week.  Let us pray that our church be the Church that God wants it to be.  Being true and faithful is not about getting what we want.  It is about trusting in God as the one who is all-knowing and knows what is best.  Let us submit ourselves to his will, trusting in his plan.  “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

In a world where there is much strife and division, let us pray for an end to greed and quest for power, may we allow our Lord to take away our grudges and hatred, so that we may live with hearts full of compassion.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff