Feeling Black and Blue? Try This

So I’m the kind of guy who believes that prayer is just as efficacious as effort.  God knows, we could use a bit of prayer right now.

There’s a tradition Catholics do when they hear a siren or pass a police officer, state trooper, or deputy — and it’s really simple and I want to share it with you.

You make the sign of the cross as you pass by.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

That’s it.

Now typically, you would also say the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, who is also the patron saint of police officers.  That might be a bridge too far for a lot of my protestant friends, but I’ll share the prayer anyway:

St. Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
By the power of God
Cast into Hell, Satan
And all of the evil spirits
Who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Safe to say that everyone is feeling a little black and blue today.  Our first responders are hurting, our nation is hurting.

Yet something as simple as an outward reminder that we are praying for our law enforcement personnel?  It’s not just good for us, it’s good for them, and maybe with all those simple, short prayers… God will answer and give us a path forward.

Give it a try the next time you see a Virginia State Trooper, a local deputy, or a police officer.  You’re in your car, no one is gonna see you… don’t be embarrassed for doing something a little Christian — just the sign of the cross.  That’s it.

Small thoughts, humbly offered.