Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice!
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
The displacement camps in Iraq for people who fled their homes during the conflict with the Islamic State are being rapidly shuttered with homeless left to return to cities and towns during the pandemic that are not rebuilt and living conditions are “severe.” For these homeless ones we pray:
Jesus, we pray for those whose lives are upended again and again. This story is so common, too common, on our shared earth. The consequences of violence and war last so much longer than the conflict. We pray for peace and consistent policies so that people can live in safe, resourced places. We ask that you provide for your creation and move to the healing of this country and its people.
As conflict between the government and Tigrayan forces in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the UN published a report warning of the potential for 9 million to be at risk of displacement as the conflict escalates. Roughly 600,000 people rely on food aid to survive in that region and this aid has been blocked by the conflict. For a resolution to violent conflict we pray:
Prince of Peace, we join brothers and sisters around the world praying for a solution to this conflict. It at times seems like there is no solution other than the elimination of an enemy. May you work in hearts to de-escalate so that the citizens of this region may live in peace and receive what they need to feed their families.
Countries in Central America-Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Panama and Mexico-have been affected greatly by the flooding, mud slides and high winds of Hurricane Eta from early November. The wiping out of livelihoods and homes compounds with the realities of the pandemic and so we pray:
Father we ask for your hand to direct responses and clear help for those most affected. For businesses and livelihoods that have been affected, clear the way for solid rebuilding. For those whose homes have been lost, we pray for a safe transition to safe housing. We pray for the rebuilding of community infrastructure and for the responses of government to be effective and beneficial.
The US Administration rolled back restrictions on development in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the largest undisturbed temperate rainforest and one of the largest carbon sinks in North America. While the economic concerns driving this decision are real, we come to the Father for discernment and wisdom in how we serve and keep his creation, of which we are totally dependent.
Lord of every ecosystem,
We bring to you these concerns. These are seemingly intractable interests – those of meaningful work and the protection of the land that brings life. And yet we know you designed both to work together. We ask that you enlarge our imaginations and the imaginations of our leaders to see new solutions. To see the immeausurable value of this rainforest to the lives of humans. We pray for better ideas, Lord, ones that align with your ways to flourishing life.
He Will Be Our Peace is an email devotional series put together by World Renew, Resonate, and the CRC Office of Social Justice that features reflections from CRC ministries around the world during Advent 2020. Each devotion will be delivered to your email inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, starting December 2, 2020, through Christmas Day. Join us as we journey through lamenting injustice to looking forward to the coming of the Prince of Peace using the book of Micah. Go to justice.crcna.org/advent to sign up today!
Join the CRC's Office of Race Relations tomorrow for an engaging conversation and Q&A session with Dr. Michelle Loyd-Paige and Dr. Eric M. Washington both from Calvin University. Rev. Reggie Smith will moderate this discussion on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and what it could mean for the ongoing work of antiracism efforts. Let’s talk about what happens at the intersection of faith, race, and politics. Register today!
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