What's in the News
What I read in the daily news today: Elections. Violence in Afghanistan. Ebola. Uncertain financial markets.
Reading or watching the news can be depressing. Scary stuff.
Sometimes the news is uplifting.
Charitable giving is back up. We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Turning news stories into prayers
A wise soul once said to start one's day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Not sure exactly how to do that now that I read both the Bible and the news on my tablet. But I like the idea of viewing the news through a spiritual lens. The daily news offers opportunities to make a difference in what goes on in the world.
I like to think of prayer as a spiritual email. When I pray for a situation, it is like sending a message to a friend. We should never under-estimate the impact our prayers have on world events -- near and far. A prayer sent into Afghanistan may make the difference in whether a young girl there gives up hope or decides to persevere. A prayer sent to a land ravaged by disease may help a doctor there think clearly in the midst of unbearable suffering.
And news stories can be opportunities for thanks. I read the magazine Guideposts because it reminds me of all the people in the world who are approaching life with faith and high hopes. The stories are inspirational and a good balance to the alarming things we read. As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I hope you'll remember to offer thanks not only for your personal blessings, but also for the millions of other people who are living their lives with courage and dignity.
Reflection Questions Which news stories have caught your attention today?
What does that say about the things you are passionate about, that you truly care about?
How can you turn your review of the news into a prayer? What issues or events is God asking you to take on -- making a difference through a few seconds in prayer?
What I read in the daily news today: Elections. Violence in Afghanistan. Ebola. Uncertain financial markets.
Reading or watching the news can be depressing. Scary stuff.
Sometimes the news is uplifting.
Charitable giving is back up. We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Turning news stories into prayers
A wise soul once said to start one's day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Not sure exactly how to do that now that I read both the Bible and the news on my tablet. But I like the idea of viewing the news through a spiritual lens. The daily news offers opportunities to make a difference in what goes on in the world.
I like to think of prayer as a spiritual email. When I pray for a situation, it is like sending a message to a friend. We should never under-estimate the impact our prayers have on world events -- near and far. A prayer sent into Afghanistan may make the difference in whether a young girl there gives up hope or decides to persevere. A prayer sent to a land ravaged by disease may help a doctor there think clearly in the midst of unbearable suffering.
And news stories can be opportunities for thanks. I read the magazine Guideposts because it reminds me of all the people in the world who are approaching life with faith and high hopes. The stories are inspirational and a good balance to the alarming things we read. As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I hope you'll remember to offer thanks not only for your personal blessings, but also for the millions of other people who are living their lives with courage and dignity.
Reflection Questions Which news stories have caught your attention today?
What does that say about the things you are passionate about, that you truly care about?
How can you turn your review of the news into a prayer? What issues or events is God asking you to take on -- making a difference through a few seconds in prayer?
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