Police shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A witness captured the shooting on cellphone video. He is alive, but seriously injured. Hundreds of protesters gathered Sunday night to condemn the shooting and the Kenosha Police Department, and continued when Kenosha's mayor moved a Monday afternoon news conference into the city's public safety building. Police in riot gear used pepper spray and other irritants on protesters, and on Monday the Wisconsin governor called in 125 members of the National Guard.
God, for the grieving family of Jacob Blake, we weep. For all those who have suffered the trauma of watching another black man shot at the hands of police, we grieve. For the ongoing struggle for the dignity of black lives, we pray for hope, for healing, for true justice.
Nearly two weeks after an Aug. 9 election kept Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in power amid accusations of vote-rigging, massive protests against Lukashenko continue and neither side is backing down. Protestors are demanding new fair, free and transparent elections. Lukashenko vows to "never cave into pressure," saying, "There will be no new election until you kill me." Thousands of factory workers, normally a key source of support for Lukashenko's 26-year regime, have gone on strike. The government, meanwhile, is squeezing the opposition: Authorities have detained a striking workers' leader and lodged criminal charges against opposition organizers. Riot police, some of whom briefly put down their shields earlier this week, continue to crack down amid allegations of torture.
God, we pray for the people of Belarus -- that they may truly be free, be treated with fairness, and feel trust that their leaders are working toward their good. We pray for those motivated by power; bring humility. We pray for those willing to enact violence; bring peace. We pray for those who live in fear; bring comfort and hope.
The number of migrants landing on Italy’s shores has more than doubled in the last year as an economic crisis in Tunisia fuels migration in boats across the Mediterranean. Authorities say the majority of the arrivals were “autonomous landings, hard to manage... with small boats and dinghies”, rather than those rescued at sea and brought ashore. Many of them land on Italy’s southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Over 80% of the migrants reaching Italy left from Tunisia and Libya, with Tunisia’s crisis stoking the numbers attempting the treacherous crossing.
God, help us to continue to remember the refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker who is yearning for safety and hope. Help us continue to remember that our spiritual identity is rooted in wandering, and allow this to open our hearts to the plight of those who cannot remain home. Give us voices to advocate on behalf of all those who are at the mercy of government policy for their very lives.
Firefighters are battling nearly two dozen wildfires in California, which have blackened more than 1 million acres across the state. The fast-moving fires, which are seen by many scientists as a sign of climate change, have killed five people, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and forced thousands to flee. More than 238,000 people either evacuated or were ready to go as more thunderstorms threatened to light new fires yesterday afternoon, according to officials. Altogether, the fires have burned an area the size of Rhode Island.
God, for the human beings and the creatures great and small who are impacted by these fires, we offer our prayers for protection and sustenance. We pray for leaders who are making decisions on how to respond. We pray for those called to combat the fires. And we pray, God, for a change in all our behavior, and a change in our policies across the globe, so that we might address the worsening impacts of climate change.
Share your story, listen, and learn about immigration in the U.S. yesterday and today with the Immigration is Our Story Workshop. Download the free workshop guide here or contact Kendra David (kdavid@crcna.org) to have our staff facilitate the workshop for you with your church, small group, or school.
Are you planning for a new ministry season? Check out this great video that highlights the workshops that we offer.
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