Follow prayer with action

May 2 is National Day of Prayer. Sister Janice Smith participates in a past prayer vigil.

Today, the nation observes the National Day of Prayer, as it has for some 60 years. I like the idea of such a day and this year’s theme is “Hope.” What could be better?

Well, you and I know there are tons of things that could be better — we could rid the country of gun violence, of poverty, of homelessness, of hatred and racism, of inequality, of hunger.

But, just for today, let’s look at hope. “To expect with confidence” is one definition of hope.

As Sisters of Providence we often quote our foundress, Saint Mother Theodore, who said, “Let us have confidence in that Providence which thus far has never failed us.”

Despite our problems we have confidence, we have hope, that through prayer and acts of love, mercy, and justice we CAN change things.

So, let us pray for hope today and then follow that prayer with action — with some gesture of love, with an act of mercy and compassion toward another and with a plea for justice for all people.