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Last time I posted, I shared a litany that I’d written for the upcoming 2024 election on November 5th. I promised to pray it each day leading up to the election and—you know what?—it is making me feel more peaceful. It is good to feel part of a whole community that is praying for the best outcome possible. I also have to say, however, that I have realized that it is a bit long. I am getting a bit weary of all the verbiage involved and thinking about Jesus’ quip about God already knowing what we need before we open our mouths. So for the last couple weeks before the election, I’m going to be cutting more to the chase. Here is a shorter, more visual version of what I prepared earlier. Feel free to download and share with others. Turned it into a pdf. Nice to be part of a growing community of saints all united in prayer.
I am grateful to readers who have shared with me some of their own reflections or other writing that they have found meaningful in this fraught month. I’m including here a reflection from long time friend and marriage/family advocate Bridget Brennan and a great post on truth by Diana Butler Bass, shared with by writer Rhonda Miska. (You might remember her from the Waking Up Goliath podcast earlier this fall). It includes a wonderful commitment by the bishops of ELCA to truthfulness.
Tomorrow I head to Calgary, Canada to be with the Canadian Catechesis of the Good Shepherd folk who are gathering for their annual meeting on this weekend right after Canadian Thanksgiving. (Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!) I’m a little hesitant to head to Calgary in October. It is still in the 70’s here in Atlanta, but looks like it might snow up there next Tuesday. Not quite ready for that! But very much looking forward to thinking about prayer and children with you all this weekend, and I know that Canadian hospitality will keep me warm.
Because we are still in the (Canadian) Thanksgiving spirit, I want to do a big thank you to two thoughtful podcasters who invited me on their show recently to talk about Redeeming Power, and also its relation to my earlier book Let’s Talk About Truth. Grateful to you, Tim Uhl of Catholic School Matters and Rev. Kelsey Beebe of Lady Preachers Podcast. Could not ask for two more different hosts or two more different interviews, but loved talking about the same content from different angles.
Wishing you the best in the weeks ahead. May you be filled with peace and a sense that you are surrounded by much love and prayer in these turbulent times.