A Liturgy Before Doomscrolling
by Douglas McKelvey
O Lord, I know these algorithms are designed to fuel an amplified feedback loop, a whirlwind pushing back to me ever more extreme versions of my own interests and opinions. These feeds feed my worst tendencies, trapping me in an insidious cycle of narrow perspectives and customized clickbait designed to rile my emotions. I know this is not a healthy space to habitually inhabit, but the promise of such an easy and instant gratification is almost irresistible. Even so, I know this pattern needs to change. For what will become of my heart, if it marinates indefinitely in such a toxic stew? I would rather learn the slow discipline of contentment in you, O Christ—to practice your presence moment by moment; to be still and know you, to meditate on the eternal truths of your words, to have my heart steeped in your Spirit that I might become a more fitting agent of your mercies. Fixed in you, I would have peace, even amidst a world in disarray. I would have eternal purpose, greater than this voided emptiness teeming with vapid and volatile content. I would find an anchor for my soul that could hold fast in any storm. Then, I would have something of worth to offer others confounded and bound by habit to this constant, digital chaos of fantasy, enmity, fluff, and conspiracy debasing our screens: the grace and peace of Christ, made manifest in me. Amen.
Douglas McKelvey is the author of the EVERY MOMENT HOLY project, featuring new prayers and liturgies for the ordinary events of daily life through books, songs, and live events. Published by Rabbit Room Press, these resources are ways of reminding us that our lives are shot through with sacred purpose even when, especially when, we are too busy or too caught up in our busyness to notice. The most recent release, Rites of Passage, contains over 150 prayers of sustenance and guidance for the unique day-to-day trials, joys, hopes, and griefs of early adulthood. Find out more about this project here.




This is so beautiful! I've translated it into Brazilian Portuguese and posted on my page - linking to the original post, of course.
Thank you. Printing this out, keeping it before me, and sharing with others.