This week may you be filled with shalom as you reflect on the peace advent candle. “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” - Psalm 29:11
Dec. 6th was National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. It is the anniversary of the Ecole Polytechnic massacre in which 14 women were targeted and murdered in Montreal 31 years ago. It also is a day to honor the Inquiry into Missing Murdered and Indigenous Women report and to commit as a society to get to the root causes of gender violence and the higher cases of gender violence in under-resourced and overlooked communities.
Lord Jesus, You honored the bodies and stories of women without hesitation. Empower us to follow you in this way.
We pray for victims of this gender based violence but also that radical healing of the root causes happens by the Spirit of God. We pray for boldness in calling out misogyny and the ways women’s lives and bodies are deemed not as important. Open our eyes to see how this indifference kills and help us to hear the stories to remember lives cut short.
The Canadian government has tabled legislation that would make ensure Canadian laws align with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Creator of us all,
We pray for thoughtful understanding of this legislation and for boldness to take this step in reconciliation at the highest level of law in our country. May we as nations value the steps of reconciliation, not in word only, but in re-shaping our society so that everyone on this land can flourish. Help us as your people tell the truth and see the bigger picture when it comes to the ramifications of this legislation.
The Alberta government is exploring changing water use legislation so that coal producers can have access to the limited water resources of the Oldman Reservoir.
God of every ecosystem, we pray for clear thinking. We pray for options to economic recovery that do not damage the systems you have created for life on this earth to flourish. We pray that protections for watersheds to be bolstered and reinforced. We pray for the kind of discipleship to take root in your people so that it is a part of our walk with you to comprehend and advocate for the local land we depend on.
In this season where many want to donate to charities in our communities, we wonder if this urge could go further in our hearts, to catalyze regular folks into becoming everyday justice seekers. With the clarifying questions about the ways we structure our society that the pandemic has raised, could this be a year when Christ-followers get into proximity and community with the most vulnerable, with the dehumanized, with The Other – not just giving to them generously, but sharing life with them. That eyes and ears would open to see where wrongs can be put to rights. Could this season be a season where more and more of us are transformed by following Christ to the margins?
For this we pray:
Father, Son and Spirit – the Community of Love everything rests within – lead us to not only generously share, but to begin to live in proximity and community to those we might not naturally live with in our stratified society. Open the doors of our hearts and real lives to participate in your redeeming, rehumanizing work by knowing that our lives are all intertwined. May this year, by you Spirit, catalyze a hunger for justice and righteousness among all your people.
As we come to the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence how can you take action? Check out this Network post for next steps in Canada and the U.S.
What a great way to support the Office of Social Justice and advocacy for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants this Christmas. This package includes a 8 oz. package of whole bean coffee from La Terza, 1 button, 1 sticker, and a wooden postcard with Blessing Not Burden art. All of this and shipping for only $25. Order yours today!
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