I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

1 Timothy 2:1b

Imagine you’re at a wedding reception, and you hear the song, “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. You flock to the dance floor with everyone else and find yourself belting out, “We are family. I got all my sisters with me. We are family. Get up everybody and sing.” (Admit it; you’re singing it now.)

Through the waters of Baptism, God has made us His own. We are forever connected to Him, and through Him, we are connected to others as family. If someone in our family is hurting, we pray for him or her. Therefore, we ought to pray for those in our extended faith family. Beyond that, pray for those not yet in God’s family. Because of sin, profound pain exists everywhere and touches everyone. Sometimes, all we can do is pray. And, sometimes, that’s enough.

Jane Wilke
Woodbury, MN

Heavenly Father, give us hearts of compassion and lead us to love others as You love us. In Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Reflect: As you take in today’s news, pray for those affected by the stories of tragedies and triumphs.

Read: Ephesians 1:15-23 and Colossians 1:9-14