Praying the News | Blog | Spirituality & Practice

A Prayer for Mindful and Kind Uses of New Tech Devices

Posted by Frederic Brussat on January 7, 2014

O Wise and Faithful Guide, we see that Internet connected devices are growing in popularity. They are supposed to make our connections with others more timely and meaningful. Unfortunately, in many situations, they have become excuses for rudeness and make us prone to be easily distracted in our relationships.

Poll: The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week puts on display the latest gadgets that may become must-haves for many Americans. A recent poll showed that the devices Americans own have changed over the past decade, with ownership of laptops (64%) and iPods/MP3 players (45%) up most dramatically from 2005. Meanwhile, far smaller numbers of Americans now own VCRs and basic cellphones, which were a staple to many in the past. (Gallup)

O God of Our Ancestors, help us to be more mindful in our use of new tech devices, so that we bring no harm to others through them and put them to the best uses.

A Prayer of Thanks for Online Information for Those with Chronic Diseases

Posted by Frederic Brussat on January 2, 2014

Miracle Worker, we pray that you will continue to help those with chronic diseases to find the supplemental resources they need for coping with their illnesses.

Fact: 45% of U.S. adults report that they live with one or more chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but also less common conditions like lupus and cancer. They are more likely than other online adults to : 1) Gather information about medical problems, treatments, and drugs; 2) Consult online reviews about drugs and other treatments, and 3) Read or watch something online about someone else's personal health experience. (Pew Research Center)

Breath of Life, we are grateful that those with chronic conditions are able to find useful information online and a community with whom to share their own experiences. Strengthen them with patience and resilience to carry on with hope and courage.

A Prayer of Gratitude for the Pleasure of Sharing Photos Online

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 31, 2013

Singer in My Soul, we are so thankful for the millions of people who derive so much delight and satisfaction from sharing photos online.

Fact: About 4,000 photos are taken every second in the U.S., four times as many as a decade ago. (The Wall Street Journal on Twitter)

Giver of All, help us put a positive spin on this trend and see it as a passport into a deeper appreciation of the ordinary, a chance to have fun and be playful, and another way of being generous.

A Prayer for Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones on Account of Hospital Mistakes

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 27, 2013

Great Heart of Love, we pray that all those who work in hospitals may be attentive to their work and aware of how little mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Fact: About 440,000 people die as a result of preventable error in U.S. hospitals every year, a new study in the Journal of Patient Safety found. That means one in six deaths can be attributed to mistakes in hospitals, making them the third leading cause of death. (NYTimes.com)

Compassionate One, lavish your love and care upon those grieving the sudden loss of loved ones and be with those who are tormented by guilt over their costly mistakes.

A Prayer of Thanks for Libraries and Librarians

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 23, 2013

Fountain of Wisdom, we, along those who responded to this poll, give thanks for and strongly value the public libraries in our communities for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life.

Poll: Some 90% of Americans ages 16 and older said that the closing of their local public library would have an impact on their community, with 63% saying it would have a major impact. Asked about the personal impact of a public library closing, two-thirds (67%) of Americans said it would affect them and their families. (Pew Research Center)

Most High, help us to make the most of the plentiful resources of our public libraries and to support them in as many ways as we can.

A Prayer for the Victims of Domestic Violence

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 18, 2013

Shekinah, we ask for your guidance and direction to protect wives assaulted in their own homes by husbands and partners.

Fact: Serbia is in the grips of a domestic violence crisis: official figures compiled by a network of social care centers showed 9,325 reported cases in 2012 compared to 3,441 in 2006. Women are increasingly dying at the hands of their husbands and partners in a culture where the justice system treats wife beaters with kid gloves. (abcnews.go.com) Dear Miracle Worker, give victims of domestic violence everywhere the courage to leave home and come forward and report crimes committed there.

A Prayer for Being More Careful with E-Waste

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 16, 2013

Dear Source of Life, the amount of e-waste is growing every day, and the nations of the world are not dealing safely or efficiently with it.

Fact: By 2017, the global volume of discarded refrigerators, TVs, cellphones, computers, monitors and other electronic waste will weigh almost as much as 200 Empire State Buildings. It will swell by a third in the next five years, led by the United States and China (UN Report: Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative).

Wise and Faithful Guide, we pray that you will guide and direct policymakers in this arena to create solutions for this dealing with e-waste, including establishing more recycling programs, and, at the very least, to quit dumping toxic materials in poor neighborhoods and countries.

A Prayer on Thinking Wisely about Radical Life Extension

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 13, 2013

Dear Ancient of Days, guide, direct and sustain us as we spend more money on medical and scientific research. Help us raise the right moral questions regarding "radical life extension."

Poll: 56% of Americans say they would personally not want treatments that would allow them to live dramatically long lives and 51% believe such long lifespans would be bad for society. (Pew Research Center)

Wise and Faithful God, give us the wisdom and the courage to accept our human limitations and to not make living longer the main mission of our lives.

A Prayer about the Death Penalty

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 11, 2013

God of Justice, in the United States, the death penalty is used as the ultimate form of punishment for heinous crimes. This barbaric practice is rejected in most other countries of the world.

Survey: Support for the death penalty [in the U.S.] is at its lowest point in 40 years — at 60 percent, down from a high of 80 percent in 1994. (Gallup Poll)

Fountain of Mercy, help us to find ways to bring compassion, forgiveness, and restorative justice into the criminal justice system so that changed lives, not death, are offered to offenders.

A Prayer for Fulfillment at Work

Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 9, 2013

God of All Situations, we grow up believing that having a job is not only what we are supposed to do, but that it will be good for us.

Survey: Only 38.5 percent of Americans feel fulfilled by their jobs. Low pay, curtailed benefits, and disengagement from their labor are some of the reasons given for this workplace malaise. (Salary.com)

Fountain of Wisdom, guide, direct and sustain these unhappy workers so they may see their labor as part of the Great Work of our times. Inspire us all to put Spirit, service, and enthusiasm into our work that our lives may have more meaning.

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