Prayer and the city …

… Small Graces | Commonweal Magazine. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

When I walk through cities, I try to remember to pray. It doesn’t usually get very sophisticated—Hail Marys and Our Fathers, in some combination, when I pass someone who seems to be homeless, or hear an ambulance, or see a person in distress. Even if there’s nobody in distress, I’ll try to just recite these prayers to the rhythm of my footsteps. After all, just because I can’t see someone doesn’t mean they might not need a prayer. And every once in a while, strangers will ask you to pray for them.