Coming next week, new from Hallow

Plus prayers for fires, prayers for all of us, and ways to help

Three small/big offerings for you today. I know I’ve already sent a lot your way this week, but in the strange convergence of scheduling, next week is a big one. I want you to be a part of it, if you’d like to join.

1. It’s been impossible to ignore the horrific news from California, but these photos and words are so striking (especially in the religious language that writers still use when trying to make sense of the unimaginable): “It Was Biblical.” Diana Butler Bass sent out two moving prayers to give us words when words fail in the face of fire. Here are ways you can help: Buy a meal for a firefighter. Help a church that burned. Give to people who lost everything but their lives. Send sandwiches and water to first responders and families.

2. If you would like more time and space for prayer, here’s a quick reminder about the Epiphany retreat next Tuesday and Thursday, 12-1:15 pm ET. This free offering from the Church in the 21st Century Center is a chance to start the new year in prayer, asking where God might be calling us and where light is shining now. Nearly 600 of you have already registered here (!) so whether you can join live or watch the recordings later, I hope you will give yourself this (free) chance to dive into Scripture and reflect with us.

3. Finally, starting on Monday, Jan. 13th, I have a brand-new series launching on the Hallow App: a 30-day devotional on praying through grief with Scripture. 

You can sign up here for a free 3-month trial to check out Hallow and listen to the whole 30-day series (one new session released each day starting on 1/13). This creation came together beautifully, and I’m so excited to share it with listeners. If you didn’t see the announcement on social media, I’ve shared more details below. Please share with anyone who might need to know they are not alone in their grief.

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I was deeply grateful when Hallow asked me to write and record this new series, because there are honestly very few grief books, websites, or podcasts that I recommend. So I leapt at the chance to create a solid, thoughtful, engaging resource on grief—that you’d actually want to listen to.

In each session of this 30-day devotional, we explore one story from Scripture and what it teaches us about our own experiences of grief. I offer a short reflection and leave time for silence, prayer, and questions to keep pondering. You can use the series by yourself or with a small group, like a grief ministry at your church.

This Hallow series speaks of different kinds of grief:

✨ death of a child or spouse
✨ loss of a sibling, parent, or grandparent
✨ death of friends
✨ infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss
✨ loss of a job or relationship
✨ communal loss after tragedy

I loved choosing the Scripture stories for this series, including some “classics” like:

🪔 Jesus weeping after Lazarus’ death
🪔 Mary’s grief as a mother
🪔 Jesus in the garden & on the cross
🪔 Mary Magdalene at the tomb
🪔 the Myrrhbearers (you know I love them!) 

But also Scripture stories that you might never have viewed through the lens of grief: 

✨ Naomi & Ruth
📿 King David & Absalom
✨ Hannah & Eli
📿 John the beloved disciple
✨ Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea
📿 the disciples on the road to Emmaus

What do the prophets tell us about grief? What about the Psalms, the Book of Job, Lamentations, Paul’s letters, and Revelation? What does the Catholic Church teach about whether God causes grief and death? Is this part of God’s plan? 

But the series is not just for Catholics. Since 40% of Hallow users aren’t Catholic, I kept a wide audience in mind and hope it will speak to you no matter where you are. 

I wanted to create a resource that was fresh and interesting—not something that would depress you more when you’re already grieving! We wanted it to be theologically sound and compassionate, knowing how grief can shake people’s faith. Above all, it’s grounded in God’s love and mercy. Check it out here, starting Monday.

Each session ends with the same prayer based on Psalm 34, and these words have stayed close to my heart. May they do the same for you if (or rather, when) you need:

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.

Lord, stay close to me.