"Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take." -Nehemiah 9:19
The Biden administration has not included the Hyde Amendment in its recent budget proposal, which is the amendment that doesn’t allow for federal funds to pay for legal abortions across the US. While the implications of this have not been made clear yet and there is a long ways to go in budget negotiations, we still pray:
Father, you see every moment and spark of life. We pray that through the legislative process your will for life would be reflected. We pray for legislation that would promote life from womb to tomb and for budgets to reflect right honoring of all life.
Five members of the same family, ranging from 9 – 74 years old were walking out when a 20 year old male attacked them with his vehicle, killing 4 of them, leaving the 9 year old with severe injuries and bereft of his immediate family. There was evidence this was a premeditated attack targeting this family because of their Muslim faith.
As Christ-followers we pray:
Lord in your mercy, be with the family and loved ones of the Afzaal family. Be with the son, providing for his needs, both physical and spiritual. Father, reveal to us where we need to grow in actionable love, care and esteem for our Muslim neighbors. We turn from silos of suspicion, mistrust, ambivalence and silence and into your invitation to love our neighbors as we love the families you’ve given us.
After the uncovering of 215 unmarked/undocumented graves, there has been renewed national awareness of the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee Report. This also means that awareness of what still needs to be done is increasing as well.
For the outstanding Calls to Action that will require government and public commitment we pray:
Let this week of mourning not end with sentiment but with concrete action to make things right. May we embody this by doing right repentance and right restoration, trusting in your mercy and not our right to be blameless. Help us to not fear taking action or advocating for our neighbors in the ways they’ve told us we can best help. Help us as citizens to put concrete momentum towards the Calls to Action that are part of reconciliation.
Safe Church Ministry will host a free, participative workshop on restorative practices in churches! Watch the recording of past webinars and register for the upcoming workshop to be held on June 23 (7:30 - 9:00 p.m. EST).
This self-guided book club is perfect for your existing small group or gathering. Based on Thomas King's The Inconvenient Indian we provide discussion questions and speakers via video to guide your group.
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