π Make America πΊπΈ Social Again
Welcome back to AmeriPrayer, where we pray for our nation and seek God's wisdom for America's future.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" — Psalm 133:1
Today we're talking about something affecting millions of Americans… something we rarely think about, but feel every single day:
Loneliness.
And more importantly…
How we can make America social again.
1. The Anti-Social Century
There's a new term floating around from The Atlantic — "the anti-social century."
It sounds dramatic, but the numbers back it up.
Americans today have more free time than past generations…
But we're spending more of it alone, often with screens as our only company.
We're not unplugging.
We're not resting.
We're not connecting.
And spiritually, emotionally, and nationally…
we are paying a price.
2. Solitude Isn't the Problem—Screens Are
Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds,
but He withdrew to pray, to reconnect with the Father.
Our problem isn't solitude.
Our problem is what we fill solitude with.
Most people aren't praying…
They're scrolling.
They aren't reading Scripture…
They're refreshing feeds.
They're not resting…
They're numbing.
And instead of being restored, they're drained.
No wonder people feel socially exhausted.
3. We Are Made for Friendship
The article reminds us of something we all know deep down:
We are created for connection.
God designed us that way from the beginning.
Even small, reluctant social interactions—
talking to a neighbor, calling an old friend, grabbing coffee—
make people feel better afterward.
Friendship doesn't "just happen."
It's built through choices.
And America desperately needs a revival of those choices.
4. How to Make America Social Again
Here are a few simple steps—practical and spiritual:
1. Put the phone away during your alone time.
Use that time to recharge, not drain.
2. Pray.
Let solitude become communion with God, not isolation.
3. Reconnect intentionally.
Call someone you haven't talked to in a while.
Invite a friend to dinner.
Say hello to a neighbor.
4. Build new friendships.
Join a local church group, Bible study, or community event.
These small acts can rebuild the social fabric of a fractured nation.
5. The Heart of the Issue
The message is simple:
America does not get stronger when Americans isolate.
America gets stronger when we reconnect—
with God, with family, with neighbors, with old friends.
We don't need more entertainment.
We need more fellowship.
The cure for the anti-social century
is the timeless wisdom of Christian community.
6. Prayer for America
You:
Let's pray.
"Lord Jesus,
Help us use our quiet moments not for distraction but for communion with You.
Give us courage to reach out, to reconnect, to rebuild friendships.
Heal the loneliness in our nation.
Make America social again—not through technology, but through love,
through fellowship, and through the unity that comes from You alone.
Amen."
God bless you,
God bless your family,
and God bless America.
The above ☝️ pastoral care moment was prompted by the below article of the same name (Yes, I borrowed it)π
summary by AI
Summary of
Make America Social Again
by Anselm Kelly , & Derek Thompson
Br. Anselm Kelly reflects on Derek Thompson's argument from The Atlantic that the 21st century has become "the anti-social century," with Americans choosing more leisure time but spending it increasingly alone. While solitude can be good—Jesus Himself withdrew to pray—modern solitude is often filled with screens instead of rest, prayer, or meaningful reflection.
Technology leaves people "always on," never fully unplugged, which drains social energy rather than restores it. The troubling shift isn't just that people are alone, but that they prefer it, even though humans are created for friendship and community.
Data indicates that even reluctant social interactions often make people feel better. Friendship is largely the result of intentional choices, so rebuilding or forming new relationships is possible through simple actions: calling old friends, inviting someone to dinner, or reaching out to neighbors or colleagues.
Ultimately, modern life nudges people toward isolation, but we still have the freedom to choose healthier patterns—using solitude for prayer, reading, reflection, and then actively engaging with others. The call is to balance solitude with real human connection.
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Key Themes
Solitude without screens is restorative; solitude with screens drains you.
Humans are created for community.
Friendship takes intentional effort.
We can reverse social isolation by making small, deliberate choices.
Jesus models solitude for prayer, not escapism.
Why this topic matters now
The essay isn't just cultural commentary—it's a spiritual warning:
People are substituting quiet communion with God and fellowship with others for digital noise.
That substitution weakens communities, churches, families, and emotional resilience.
