Shannon K. Evans – Franciscan Media

Work for Greater Equality

Shannon K. Evans — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Racism is a deeply rooted malady in every society in the world and must be uprooted with intentionality and awareness. May this prayer aid you in your anti-racism work to be a better disciple of Jesus.

Pray

God of justice, all people are made in your image
and all people have equal dignity and worth.
Show me the ways I have been blind
to my own prejudices
and help me be part of the healing
rather than part of the problem.
May I have the humility to learn
and the courage to call others forth
to a world of greater equality.
Amen.

Act

Find and employ one action to equip your anti-racism work. Sign up for an online course, read a book, or bring in a person of color as a speaker to your parish or faith community.

Give Me Patience

Shannon K. Evans — Sat, 03 May 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Patience is not simply a trait that one either does or does not possess; patience is a virtue that one chooses to develop. In light of this choice, may this prayer assist you in your inner growth.

Pray

Loving God,
your patience with me
is so tender and merciful;
yet I struggle
to extend that patience
to my loved ones, coworkers, neighbors,
and even to myself.
As I pray to grow more patient,
I know that it is also a choice
to be repeatedly made.
I need your grace
to choose to live a slow and steady
life of love.
Amen.

Act

Light a candle and leave it in a place where you will see it often today. Let the lit candle remind you of your intention to choose patience each time you pass.

Honoring Creation

Shannon K. Evans — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

St. Francis of Assisi taught that in God we are connected to the earth and all created things. In the spiritual life we are called to live attuned to this interdependence in small but important ways.

Pray

Creator of heaven and earth,
Today I remember
the many small ways
I can honor the divine life
all around me.
As I reach down
to pick up trash
from the sidewalk
or move a bug outdoors
instead of killing it,
may your Spirit fill me
with the knowledge
that all things
are my brothers and sisters.
Amen.

Act

Choose one simple way that you can begin to honor creation with more integrity. Ideas might include starting a compost pile, locating and using a recycling site, joining a farm co-op, or mending clothes instead of discarding them.

Sacrificial Giving

Shannon K. Evans — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Lent is a time to give generously to those in need. May this prayer unite you to Jesus’ spirit of sacrificial giving.

Pray

Merciful God,
It is tempting to give
only what feels comfortable,
but that is not
what you have done for me.
So in the spirit
of your generosity,
I desire too to give sacrificially.
Burden my heart
for the needs of others
so that it might be my joy
to meet them.
Thank you for giving me
more than I need;
may my heart always be open
to give it back to you.
Amen.

Act

Pray about where to direct your Lenten almsgiving and how much to give. If possible, give it in person. Ask for the grace to give more than feels comfortable.

The Weight of Suffering

Shannon K. Evans — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Physical, mental, and emotional suffering are heavy crosses to bear. May this prayer comfort and strengthen you as you persevere through such hardship today.

Pray

Oh God,
I am weary of this suffering I carry;
weary of how long it has been,
weary of the toll it has taken.
I need you to comfort and hold me today
so I don’t sink into despair.
I believe that even this you can work for my good
but I need you moment by moment
to keep me from giving up hope.
Glorify yourself through my suffering.
Amen.

Act

Picture God carrying you, as a tender mother or father would. Rest in the knowledge that you have not been left to bear this suffering alone.

The Freedom of Repentance

Shannon K. Evans — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

When the ache of our conscience reminds us we are not right with God, may humility lead us to repentance. For all the ways we have fractured our relationships with God and others, we offer this prayer.

Pray

God of love,
I have sinned
and grieved your heart,
but I no longer want
to live in hiding.
Take my sorrow
and straighten my path.
Lead me into the freedom
that repentance brings,
so I may live
wholly full of love.
Amen.

Act

Focus on just one specific sin of which you repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one action you can take today to right the wrong that was done.