Amidst the glowing screens

and talking heads

and blaring headlines

and laymen-turned-experts,

our hearts grow weary and fingers turn sore

as we refresh our feeds, scrolling to numb the swelling tide

rising within, threatening to topple and overwhelm.

Liberate us, O God, from our gluttonous tendencies

to hoard knowledge

and feast upon information as if it is our daily bread.

Remind us, O Father, that our screens are but clouded mirrors.

Sift the important news meant to equip us toward movement and compassion

from the distorted facts and fear-mongering headlines,

designed only to divide and destroy the hope we have in you.

Keep us from banging our gongs and clanging our cymbals.

If we post with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love,

help us to log out.

O Loving God, you see the gravity with which the world’s suffering pulls us inward.

Extend us grace to grieve for the broken world you adore,

then wash our faces and turn, clear-eyed, to our windows,

through which we can see the trees still clapping

the sparrows still flying

the stones still crying out praise to you.

Grant us wisdom to discern what you deem true

and right

and noble

and pure

and praiseworthy

and lovely,

and give us grace to share accordingly.

Amen.