Spirituality & Practice

Great and eclectic Communicator, we are so thankful for the many ways religious people are sharing their faith online as a complement to attending a religious service.

POLL: In a recent poll, the Pew Research Center found that one-in-five Americans share their religious faith online, about the same percentage that tune in to religious talk radio, watch religious TV programs, or listen to Christian rock music. And nearly half of U.S. adults see someone else share their religious faith online in a typical week. Younger Americans do more faith sharing online while older adults watch more religious TV. (Pew Forum) Unbounded Spirit, we rejoice in the electronic mediums which enable us to share our faith with others and enrich our spiritual lives through online websites, television, radio, and music stations.

Hearer of All, we pray that you will watch over and protect those who are suffering around the world as a result of economic inequality.

Report: Elites and citizens agree that economic inequality is a top priority, according to an article on PewRearch.org. A new report released by the World Economic Forum ranks rising inequality as the top trend facing the globe in 2015. Credit Suisse says people with a net worth of more than $1 million represent just 0.7 % of the global population, but they have 41% of the world's wealth. Meanwhile, those with a net worth of less than $10,000 represent 69% of the population, but just 3% of global wealth. Experts have concluded that inequality is linked to poverty, environmental degradation, unemployment, and political instability.

Hope for the World, give us the compassion, generosity, and determination to find ways to address the problems of caused by economic inequality so that we might enjoy the many blessings of life as one global family.

God of Mercy, be with those who are suffering and dying from Ebola, a deadly hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus. Comfort those in mourning and bring peace to those in caught up in panic.

FACTS: As of mid-October 2014, nearly 5,000 people have died from Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, and the United States. There could be 10,000 new Ebola cases per week in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ginea by the end of ths year, the World Health Organization has warned. Among the victims are some of the region's top doctors. Symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding. There is no vaccine or cure for Ebola and the death rate is 90 percent.

Wise and Faithful Guide, watch over and protect other in West Africans and elsewhere from catching this deadly disease. Strengthen those who are risking their own lives to care for their very sick patients. May the greatest care be given to isolate those who afflicted, and caution be taken by the authorities to stem the spread of Eboli. May we be filled with compassion for all those who are suffering.

Sustainer of the Universe, we are concerned about the millions of people in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world who cannot find employment. We pray that you will help them keep their spirits up, lest they fall into anxiety and depression.

REPORT: A chart released by the Senate Budget Committee, based on data from the nonpartisan Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed that nearly a quarter of Americans aged 25 - 54 are not working. Commented the office of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.): "There are 124.5 million Americans in their prime working years. . . . 28.9 million people, or 23.2 percent of the total, is not currently employed. They either became so discouraged that they have left the labor force entirely, or they are in the labor force but unemployed. This group of non-employed individuals is more than 3.5 million larger than when the recession began in 2007."

Reconciling God, forgive those among us who complain that these unemployed people are not trying hard enough or that they are taking it easy thanks to government unemployment benefits. May we all be more understanding of the problem of unemployment and its toll upon individuals and communities.

One Who Weeps, be with all victims of sexual violence as they struggle with the memories and the pain of having being attacked.

REPORT: The latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that approximately one third of Americans have been the victim of sexual violence. An estimated 23 million women and 2 million men have been raped. One strategy for stemming the tide of sexual violence is "bystander intervention" where dangerous situations are stopped by action from onlookers. (Smithsonianmag.com)

Trusted Guide, stay by our side, as we work with the victims of sexual violence to find more solutions to prevent violence and bring safety to places where all should be at ease – in their communities, schools, and homes.

Mother of Mercy, 15.8 million American children do not have enough food to eat, and millions more children around the world are in similar situations. Give them strength as they strive to grow up healthy and to live full lives.

REPORT: Some 14.3 percent of U.S. households were "food insecure" in 2013, meaning that they had difficulty affording adequate food at some point during the year. Households with children face especially high rates; 20.9 percent among households with children under age 6. This leads to negative health and development outcomes for children. (Off the Charts Blog based on a USDA report)

Hope Through the Ages, enable our leaders to hear and to heed the cries of these hungry children. Help us to create a world where all are fed.

An estimated 21 million Americans experience some form of depression every year. It is an emotionally, physically, and spiritually depleting disease that can lead to suicide.

We are still reeling from the news of the suicide of Robin Williams who valiantly struggled with depression for many years. Our hearts go out to his wife, children, and other loved ones. We and millions of other fans grieve the loss of this immensely talented actor and extraordinary comedian. He left many legacies, contributed to raising awareness of many issues through the roles he took on and the charities he supported. And today, we see that by his suicide, he has raised awareness of the suffering caused by depression.

And so we pray this news . . .

God of All Nations, we pray that you will send your healing balm to those who have been the victims of religion-related violence, mob prejudice, harassment over attire, or other religion-related abuse.

REPORT: Pew Research reports that hostility and violence surrounding religion is at a six-year high and is a serious global issue. A third of the 198 countries and territories in the study had high religious hostilities in 2012. The sharpest increase was in the Middle East and North Africa. There also was a significant increase in religious hostilities in the Asia-Pacific region, where China edged into the "high" category for the first time. (pewforum.org)

Morning Star, shine brightly on all religions that seek to practice love, kindness, compassion, and justice. Let us all do what we can to advance respect for people of all faiths so that we can work together in fashioning a better world.

Guardian of the Grieving, be with the besieged children of Gaza as they try to weather the storm of bombs hitting their small walled-in community. Attend to each child with your embrace of compassion and soften the blows of their pain and sorrow.

FACT: Of the 1.8 million people in Gaza, 900,000 of them are under the age of 18. During Israel's current assault by land and air on this small strip of land, some 200,000 Gazans, the majority of them children, have had to flee their homes and have sought shelter in UN schools and other public places. The children here under 10 years old cannot remember a world without Israel's seven-year blockage of Gaza. They are living through their third war. (The dailybeast.com reported by Jesse Rosenfeld)

"Sun of Justice, . . .
Sear our minds with the painful reality
of those who need your protective strength.
Radiate our hearts with true concern for them.
Burn away the dross of empty indifference.
Energize us into taking deliberate action
To aid those suffering from the power of others."
- Latin Hymn in Fragments of Your Ancient Name by Joyce Rupp

On July 17, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired from eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers and crew were killed, including 193 from the Netherlands and 28 from Australia. Several passengers were headed to the biennial Internatinal AIDS Conference is Melbourne, including Joep Lange and Jacqueline van Tongeren, two giants of the HIV research community. A lack of security at the crash site and delays in collecting and returning the bodies of the dead has added to the distress and grief of their loved ones.

And so we pray this news . . .