"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."
- Joseph Whelan
Lord, as this war continues to ravage families and communities in Palestine, we join our prayers to theirs with breaking hearts. We pray for all those who tried to find safety but were met with violence. And in the same breath we also pray for the hostages that were released through these strikes. That they would find healing and comfort.
We only know that this earth needs mercy. We know that justice leads to peace. We know that your love covers a multitude of sins. But we still need mercy. Have mercy Lord on this region. Bring peace so repair and healing can begin.
A landslide in the Philippines’ Davao de Oro province last week has killed 68 people with 51 people still missing.
Lord, we pray for the families of those who do not yet know for sure where their loved one is. We pray for your hand in assuaging the consuming worry and grief. Be with those who have lost someone that their hearts would be held in compassion. We pray for clarity in the clean up and for rebuilding to begin quickly. May the communities most affected be drawn together and drawn to you in this time.
Trindad and Tobago is considering declaring a national emergency over an oil spill from a ship run aground this past week. 15 km of coastline have been affected. A national emergency will be declared when local resources to clean up the spill have become overwhelmed and international support is needed.
Creator, it breaks our hearts to see your creation overrun with pollutants that destroy sensitive ecosystems. Does it break yours? We pray for this country to be able to clean up this spill in such a way that the local life and livelihoods that depend on these beaches can continue to thrive. We pray for a clear understanding of what went wrong and for measures to be put into place to ensure it does not happen again. We pray for your healing hand on this precious ecosystem.
Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act, has been in debate in the House of Commons since December 2023 and 28 long term drinking water advisories are still in place on First Nations country-wide. We pray for helpful solutions and productive conversations around this bill.
Lord, you know that water is life and that we all need it. We pray that the bureaucratic bog this legislation is in will clear up and that clean drinking water will be ensured for all people within Canada. Let your spirit convict those who would endlessly debate and pass blame to stop and inspire them with the best solutions based on the best evidence. May this issue be resolved and may clean water flow freely from every tap.
CPJ’s annual Lenten environmental campaign connects faithful communities and individuals across Canada to unite in calling for a just transition towards a sustainable and equitable economy. Each year, church congregations and individual participants foster a deeper connection with all of creation by committing to alter or replace lifestyle habits associated with high GHG emissions with more sustainable choices. Learn more and get involved!
Lent gives us space to grieve the many injustices that we see in the world. Praise God that we are not left in Lent but we are also a resurrection people. Justice and Hope Sunday raises up the work of the Centre for Public Dialogue a CRCNA ministry that promotes a positive voice of Christian faith in Canadian public life that seeks justice, hope, and reconciliation in political dialogue, and active citizenship. Resources for this Sunday are available online.
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