"I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice" - Proverbs 8:20
This has been a revealing year where the majority culture’s understanding about race got deepened and challenged – at a great cost. And the church, with its good intentions, blind spots and propensity to analyzing and theologizing first before listening has been called to account for its words and deeds. This year we have been asked to engage with a humility towards the other that does not come easily. But here we are, dependent on God’s grace for all our belonging and all our capacity to do right, to put wrongs to rights, and to embody Christ’s love in every interaction we have.
We lament the horror it took to see truly the pain. So we pray:
We pray for continued movements of listening and just action about race and justice to propagate within your church of called people from every tribe, language and nation. We pray that understanding power and race in our own communities will continue to be a faithful part of our witness to your reconciling action in this world. We pray for the humility, generosity, fearlessness and joy we will all need to see this move of your spirit through.
For a special video edition of prayer written by Black Liturgies please go to our YouTube channel.
75% of all vaccines have been given in only 10 countries around the world. There is a “scandalous inequity” about vaccine distribution that the World Health Organziation is calling for action on.
For this we continue to pray:
Father, you created us and created our capacity to invent and imagine solutions. We pray for the companies that create the vaccine and the wealthiest countries who have procured more than they need to distribute generously this vaccine. We pray for transparency and good will to guide the process of equal distribution no matter how wealthy a country might be.
Over 8000 migrants, including an estimated 2000 unaccompanied minors have crossed into Spanish governed enclave of Cueta from Morocco in recent days and are being met by troops and being deported.
Father, meet each individual in this crisis. We keep coming to you to ask for your provision of safety and compassion in these situations. We also ask for resolution and integral, sustainable pathways to peace and homefulness for these ones looking for work and safety.
Multiple reports of more damaging summer weather projections from wildfires in the west to hurricanes in the east, to faster than ever melt in the north, are being given by experts in fields of ecological and disaster management. The interconnection of climate change, and the health of communities so deeply affected by weather is increasingly obvious and with serious results. Let us pray as we enter these seasons and make decisions on how to respond.
Lord of Creation, we know weather events across the continent are being projected to be more destructive, unpredictable and costly this year. We pray for good planning and for resources to be appropriately given to combat these emergencies. And we also pray for ecosystem wide perception of the issue to guide wise decisions. We pray that you would protect people and communities from devastation. We pray for humble hearts to work together for solutions.
We are so excited to present this brand new book study! Designed to fit into your existing small groups or book clubs the book is divided into a four-part book club based on Thomas King’s book The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. Learn more here!
The Office of Social Justice is excited to share that we are now hiring for the position of director alongside our colleagues at the Office of Race Relations. This position will provide leadership to the ministries of Social Justice and Race Relations as they encourage and assist the CRC’s leaders, agencies, institutions, churches, and members to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, focusing primarily on systemic causes of injustice by dismantling racism and by equipping the CRC to pursue God's justice and peace. Read More Here.
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