# Walking in Praise with Pope Francis: Prayer as a Good Beginning
*2015-10-02*

> Bill Young reflects on the power of prayer in response to recent tragedy and explores Pope Francis’ call to pray for effective action in caring for our common home.

## Opening Prayer and Current Events

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today is October 2nd, the feast of our Guardian Angels, and we’ll be offering a prayer for them in a future episode. Yesterday a tragic shooting at a community college near Portland, Oregon claimed nine lives. It was a hate crime targeting Christians who were standing up for their faith. We pray for the souls of those who died, for the injured, and for the whole Portland community.

## Walking in Praise with Pope Francis

We continue our series “Walking in Praise” with Pope Francis, focusing on caring for our common home. The book we’re using was printed by 23rd Publications and was given to us by the Archdiocese of Miami after our pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. This is day 8 of the series, titled “Prayer Is a Good Beginning.” Pope Francis reminds us that the greatest power we have is the power of prayer, which guides us to take swift, positive action for the needs of our brothers and sisters and for the earth, leaving a better world for future generations.

## A Prayer for Simplicity and Effectiveness

Inspired by Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi, I offer this prayer: “God of creation, guide my prayer so that what seems overwhelming may break down into something simple but effective that I can do. Amen.”

*Prayer ignites action; by praying we open ourselves to God’s guidance for effective service to the world.*