A Prayer Before Reading the News

Dear UU Shenandoah,

Instead of a Minister's Musings this week, I've written some guidance for approaching the news. The idea, structure, and some of the wording are all attributed to Rabbi Irwin Keller, the original author. However, I have rewritten and adapted Rabbi Keller's guidance for us as UU's. I hope you find this both helpful and meaningful. Many blessings as we all approach the news, especially during these turbulent times.

Kindly,

Rev. Lauren

 

A Prayer Before Reading the News

Inspired by the writing of Rabbi Irwin Keller.

Adapted with a Unitarian Universalist lens by Reverend Lauren Spivey Levwood.

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE NEWS

Spirit of Life, Spirit of Love, hear our prayer:

 

As we approach today’s headlines,

we know they will contain misery and miracles,

horror and humor,

disaster and repair,

bitterness and beauty.

 

Our bodies feel tense with anticipatory grief.

Our minds are anxious from anticipating pain.

We long to be freed from the onslaught of tragedies

that enrobe our globe with a cloak of despair.

 

Spirit of Love, Spirit of Compassion,

wrap us, wrap me, in the comfort of your peace.

 

Encircle me, encircle us in a tapestry of care

so that we might witness the wounds of the world

without further wounding.

 

Graceful Spirit, Healing Spirit,

guide us to make mindful choices

in the consumption of media.

Grant us resilience, fortitude,

and the personal and communal wisdom

to consume just enough:

not too little, but not too much.

 

Spirit of Wisdom, Spirit of Growth,

Open us to learning what is needed

in order to catalyze our collective movement towards justice

without becoming overwhelmed, frozen, or apathetic.

Grant us the ability to discern truth;

help us to resist clickbait, rage bait, or fake news.

And, help us to be gentle with ourselves

with our inevitable human imperfections.

 

Source of All,

we place our trust in a Love

that is beyond our understanding.

We praise the gift that is Life,

And we vow to use this gift

with all the humility and kindness we can muster.

With courage and gentleness,

we invite in today’s news,

news of the world’s suffering

and news of the world’s joys.

Blessed Be and Amen.

 

A PRAYER FOR AFTER READING THE NEWS

 

Great Spirit that dwells within all things and beyond all things,

hear our prayer:

 

Today we have read stories and seen images,

but our knowledge is incomplete.

Our human minds know some things,

yet we know there is much we do not know.

We may not yet understand

how these stories and images,

be they celebrations or catastrophes,

Interconnect.

 

Yet we know that we are all connected.

We take joy in others joy;

we suffer along with their suffering.

 

If there is no role for us to play today

then let our learning leave us wiser and better prepared.

 

If there is a role for us to play,

let clarity rise up in us to realize it,

however large or small,

with humility and courage.

 

Move within us and guide us to create peace and justice

for the wholeness of our planet

and the betterment of our communities.

 

May our collective work for peace and justice

be for a blessing.

 

[Add here a prayer for the healing of a specific suffering you read about.]

 

Blessed Be and Amen.

 

ACTION FOR INTEGRATION

Consider following the prayers above with a simple action:

 

*call a friend to thank them for some small kindness

*donate to a cause or organization that you believe in

*post an encouragement to peacemakers online

*meditate with breathing, walking, moving

*create with journaling, cooking, gardening, collaging

*make soup, make art, write poetry

*sing something silly, dance in your kitchen

*foster beauty, cultivate kindness, follow your heart

 

Remember, you do not have to be perfect (in fact, you cannot be), and we cannot do everything all at once. Rather, choose and commit to an approachable action with humility and grace. Breathing in, breathing out, invite a simple yet clear action to encourage your soul’s integration.

Together, we dream the new world into being.

Together, we can create heaven here on Earth.

May it be so, and may we be among those to make it so.

Blessed Be and Amen.