"It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful." - 2 Corinthians 4:6
First Nations, Metis and Inuit delegates have been visiting the Vatican, asking for an official apology for the harms done by the Catholic Church to Indigenous communities by Pope Francis, one of the Truth and Reconciliation Report’s Calls to Action. While speculation is that an apology might happen, there are also reports that the media coverage around the visit is being tightly controlled.
Reconciling God, the need for truth to be acknowledged is key to healing. We pray for a movement of your spirit to embolden delegates, soften the hearts of Vatican officials and for the actions of reconciliation to take be demonstrated and celebrated in this very public way. We pray for your protection of hearts that once again are recounting harms. We pray for truth to be named and brought into the light without fear or control.
Ethiopian and Tigrayan fighters have agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire 16 months after this civil war began resulting in 1000’s of deaths and millions of people displaced from their homes. As always, it’s the most vulnerable that bear the brunt of war and millions are at risk for extreme hunger.
Father, we pray for that this ceasefire holds in the hearts and minds of those who determine war in this area of Ethiopia. We pray for humanitarian aid to get to the people who most need it and for those displaced to be able to return home. Feed your children in this area with food, water and also your spirit of peace.
In January 2022, Peru saw a spill of 11,900 barrels (2100 tonnes of crude oil) in front of a Repsol refinery off its coast and it is known as Peru’s “worst ecological disaster.” As weeks have passed, the fisherman who rely on small daily catches for a living, as well as the restaurant and tourism enterprises that make up much of Peru’s vast informal economy, are bearing the brunt of the effects of the spill, unable to make a living or pay bills. While the government has promised aid, it has not materialized yet.
Lord of just economies, we pray for those most hurting because of this enormous ecological disaster. The long term effects of industrial damage is always, and has always been borne by those closest to poverty. We pray for needs of these Peruvians to be met in tangible ways and for people to know that you are close to them in their need.
The plan leans heavily on cuts in the electricity, oil and gas and transportation sectors as well as billions for new investments for zero-emission vehicles, tax breaks for companies that embrace carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology. In addition, money has been allocated to engage workers in oil and gas sector to gain new skills in a just transition plan as Canada moves to a net zero economy.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts, fears and needs are known,
May this plan set us on a path of good stewardship of our resources, balancing the needs of families and the costs of delayed action. We pray for mercy in our public dialogue, that there would be a desire for everyone to work together for a righteous outcome. And we pray for continued wisdom for our elected leaders, consultants and policy writers to set out a path that is restorative and hopeful in a changing times.
It is essential that Canada take decisive and concrete action to begin to rectify the profound injustice and inequality perpetrated against Indigenous peoples. Urge the Minister of Justice and your MP to make implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act a priority, keeping to the reporting requirements as laid out in the Act when it passed, and partnering with Indigenous leaders and communities in determining how implementation will happen
Will call us into solidarity to restore, protect, and expand voting rights in the United States and to realize human rights around the world. As people of faith, we know each person to be created in God’s image, imbued with dignity and having a voice that demands to be heard, heeded, and treated justly. We arise in unity, holding up a mirror to leaders of nations, putting injustice on display and tearing down the veil of oppression that obscures the beautiful, God-born light shining from within us all. Register here for the virtual conference today!
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