Progressive Christianity, Really

you would hardly even notice

your prayers being answered,

the signs you asked for being received,

the beautiful evening

where dark clouds seem

to make night come before it’s time

until you see the sunset

peaking through and

softly lighting

the world around you

(it is a beautiful evening

out of nowhere and

unlike anything you expect),

You must ask yourself now if you’d ever be ready?

If yes, keep going.

If no, pray to be given the strength to do it.

I'm not religious in a "everything in the Bible is 100% literal and should be treated as science and history" kinda way

I'm not religions in a "let's kill all non-believes in the name of Jesus Christ, including Jews" kinda way

I'm not religious in a "if you're poor that's your own fault and God is punishing you with poverty" kinda way

Prayer for Conscientious Objectors:

conscientious objector: an individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service on the grounds of freedom of conscience or religion

Beloved Father,

You are the Quiet Breath that speaks in the stillness of our hearts, calling us away from the noise of war. Watch over us as we honor the brave souls who chose to call upon You in a time of turmoil—the holy pause that stops a hand from striking.

We thank You for the witness of St. Longinus, who stood at the foot of the Cross and chose to drop his spear, and for St. Martin of Tours, who laid down his armor to become a soldier of Your love. Through their intercession, grant the world a new spirit of 'holy refusal.'

Strengthen the hearts of those today who are pressured to build, carry, or fire the weapons of modern war. Give them the courage to see their 'enemy' as Your child and their own brother. Be the Mender of Broken Things for those whose consciences are torn by the demands of empire. Help us all to remember that our true citizenship is in Your Eternal Home, where no one is asked to kill.

Amen

Prayer for the Souls of Victims of Violence

let us mourn the victims, honor the dead, and seek comfort for the grieving.

Beloved Father,

You are the Father of the Fatherless and the shelter for the broken. Our hearts are heavy today for the millions of lives extinguished by the fire of war—for the names forgotten by history but cherished eternally by You.

Our Lady of the Ruins, you who stand in the smoke and the rubble of every fallen city, we ask you to be a mother to those who died in terror and alone. Gather the souls of the victims of every bombing into the safety of your mantle.

St. Catherine of Siena, you who nursed the dying and held the hands of the condemned, walk with those who are passing from this world as we pray. Let them not be afraid.

Father, take them into Your garden where no sirens wail and no shadows fall. Be their Eternal Home and their everlasting peace. Hold them close, as a parent holds a child after a long and frightening night, until every tear is wiped away and all things are made new.

Amen

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

- Jesus Christ