Justice Prayers - June 23 2021

"He leads us on by paths we did not know.
Upward He leads us, tho' our steps be slow;
Tho' oft we faint and falter on the way,
Tho' storms and darkness oft obscure the day,
Yet, when the clouds are gone,
We know He leads us on."

- He Leads Us On (Hiram O. Wiley)

High numbers of unaccompanied minors still apprehended at the border.

In May, roughly 14,000 children unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian were apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border. While that’s down by about 25% from the number apprehended in March, it’s still an overwhelming number: 14,000.

The situation is further complicated by a recent announcement from the State of Texas that could withdraw childcare licenses from faith-based and other organizations currently hosting more than 4,000 of these unaccompanied children while they await placement with their families or other sponsors and, eventually, court dates to determine their eligibility to stay lawfully in the U.S.

Lord, each child’s mind, heart, and body are precious and irreplaceable. Move in decision maker’s hearts to keep services and care funded and available to these children.  May your church keep being your hands and feet and heart to these children who are quickly growing up into a next generation.  

Gun Violence: Mass shootings happen nearly every day and violent crime has risen dramatically. God help us. 

A Mass shooting (where 4 or more people are shot) happens every day in the United States and violent crime has risen. The layers of reasons behind community violence, domestic terrorism and violent crime seems hard to untangle and yet we know We serve a God of peace and peacemaking so we pray:

Peacemaking Lord, help us not grow weary or afraid in doing the work of peace in our neighborhoods.  We lament all the causes and reasons for violence in our cities.  We pray for families in deep grief. We pray for the healing of trauma that all community members experience – from police and first responders to the neighbors, families, and victims of violence.  We pray for restorative, preventative and just community solutions.   

COVID Infections in Northern Community

Remote Northern Ontario community of Kashechewan is experiencing an outbreak of Covid-19 cases, where over a 100 children are affected and members have to travel 1000 km south to Kingston for treatment.  

Creator, we pray for the health of Kashechewan today.  We pray for those who have to leave to seek treatment in hospital.  Keep them safe and well cared for.  We pray for the children who fighting the virus to recover fully.  We pray for the underlying issues that can contribute to the spread – provide funds and resources for housing and services.  We pray for the health of this community, that your mercy and healing would abound.  

Unprecedented Heat Wave

Record high heats in the western United States and Canada are already proving to be problematic with energy and water in high demand.   These climate change fueled temperatures are unprecedented in “timing, intensity and scope.”   As we prepare for more of this we pray:

Father, we cannot survive unless you move in us to change our ways that are leading to these extremes.   Father, help us take responsibility for the elderly and the infants who cannot live well in this heat.  As we deal with the fallout of these temperatures in communities across the west, give us wisdom, humility and clarity.  Protect the forests and the watersheds, we cry. 

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Christian Climate Observers Program 

As an emerging leader and person of faith, the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP) is your opportunity to engage global leaders on climate change.  Happening covid-dependant in November 2021 you need to apply by August 1st.