"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." - Psalm 33:4-5
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported at least 72 people to Haiti on Monday, including a two-month-old baby and 21 other children. Haiti is in the midst of major political unrest. It was an apparent flagrant breach of the Biden administration’s orders only to remove suspected terrorists and potentially dangerous convicted felons. The incoming administration ordered a 100-day moratorium on all deportations, which was temporarily blocked by a judge in Texas.
God, for these children and adults whose lives are so vulnerable, who have already been subjected to so much trauma, we pray for hope and for the possibility of healing. We pray for the leaders who have control over policies that impact immigration, and for the workers who carry those policies out. May justice and mercy be at the heart of each conversation, each action, each result.
Last week, Myanmar's military seized control of the government and enacted a coup. Protests were sparked among the citizens, which have intensified throughout the country. The commander in chief of Myanmar's armed forces has repeatedly claimed fraud in November's election there, and said the military will hold new elections and transfer power to the winner. He did not specify when those elections would take place, though the military had previously declared a year-long state of emergency. Reports indicate that the protests had been largely peaceful and non-violent, though they call to mind the violent 1988 protests in the country. The U.N. Human Rights Council announced it will hold a special session to discuss the human rights implications of the crisis.
God, we pray for the people of Myanmar, for their safety and for their voices to be heard. We pray for courageous leaders who are focused on justice. And we pray that peace might prevail.
Air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil was responsible for 8.7 millions deaths globally in 2018, a staggering one in five of all people who died that year, new research has found. More than one in 10 deaths in both the U.S. and Europe were caused by pollution, along with nearly a third of deaths in eastern Asia, which includes China. Death rates in South America and Africa were significantly lower.
God, we pray for new ideas, for new hope, for a new future that balances a protection of the created world, respect for vulnerable humans, and the emerging of an economy that can allow both to thrive. We grieve for all pollution has cost us — wildlife, health, and so many beloved humans.
On most days the largest COVID outbreaks have been in jails and prisons, as some states see the mortality rate seven times as high as in the general population. But when the 2.3 million incarcerated Americans will receive the vaccine depends largely on where they are detained – in a federal prison, state prison or county jail – and that jurisdiction’s unique vaccine prioritization plans, many of which have been in flux over the last few months in no small part due to politicization of the issue from lawmakers and the public alike.
God, you tell us to remember the prisoner. You tell us each human is created in your image. You tell us it is those most vulnerable whose cries you hear. We pray for those imprisoned in the United States and around the world, who have so little control over their exposure to the dangers of COVID. Bring good policies, good leadership, and good decisions to protect them.
With a new Congress and President, now is the time for faith-based advocacy! Learn how to organize a meeting with your member of Congress to ask for immigration reform in this 2-part workshop you can squeeze into your lunch breaks. Register for both sessions today!
This Lent, we’re inviting you to join us in a journey of Creation Care. We want to live out our faith by investing in the flourishing of God’s creation. Each week, we’ll share practical challenges and Scriptural reflections on how we can be faithful stewards during this season of worship. Get the full details here.
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