Responsively Yours: Dwell in Us, Holy Spirit

The spread of coronavirus touches each of our advocacy focuses—women and children’s health, climate justice and economic inequality in addition to mass incarceration. Persons experiencing domestic violence are especially at risk at a time of stay-at-home orders. What can you do to boost awareness of the domestic violence resources in your state or county in this time of extreme stress? What about persons without sick leave pay or who have lost their jobs, people who suddenly can’t make rent or pay a mortgage or bills. We’ve called on state regulatory agencies to prohibit electric and water shutoffs during this time. If your state still has not taken this action, I encourage you to speak out for it. We must also remain alert to environmental protections that may get loosened at this time.Together we can watch and care for those among us in great need. Together we can speak up for those without protection during this crisis. Together we can stay informed, continue in prayer and express our love for God in our service of others and our advocacy for justice.Dwell in us, Holy Spirit! Open our eyes to see those in need. Open our hearts to your love for them—may it become our love as well. Strengthen our hands and our spirits to be who we are called to be for this hour.- - -This episode originally appeared in the March/April 2020 issue of response, the award winning magazine from United Methodist Women.Visit www.UnitedMethodistWomen.org to find out more.