"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal." Philippians 3:17
The village of Lytton, BC broke records for the highest heat ever recorded in Canada last week (49 C or 120 F) and then on June 30, residents had to flee due to a wildfire that demolished most of the town in less than 30 minutes.
This town has been called the canary in the coalmine of climate change in Canada but truly it is only the latest disaster made possible by the astonishingly unpredictable nature of climate change and will not be the last.
Over 200 fires are burning in BC right now, 3 times the ten year average for this time of year. They are fueled by the dry conditions and extreme heat, disruptions to healthy ecosystems and wildfire management that cannot keep up to the demands of these kind of fires.
All of this leads us to pray for Lytton and beyond.
Father, these families and friends in this close knit community ran for their lives. Minister peace to their bodies and minds as they process the deep grief and trauma of these events. We pray for resources and clarity in these next days of figuring out what’s next for every resident. We pray for a full restoration of community and home.
Do not let us look away from the reckoning of how we have managed your world. Be gracious to us and restore our imaginations to align with yours. May justice, mercy and change come.
Migrant farmworkers in the Pacific NW are facing record heat while working where shade, breaks, water, and workload guidelines are not guaranteed. But the extreme weather also means workers are scrambling to harvest crops before they die in the heat, so they will not lose money for lunch or rent.
Jesus protect these workers from the consequences of these working conditions. Move on employers to provide adequate shade, water and breaks. May those of us who benefit from their labor not look away but demand right and humane treatment for these men and women.
A municipality in Manitoba has declared an agricultural state of emergency due to drought conditions brought on by high heat and very little rain. Water supplies are drying up and crops are being ruined by grasshopper infestations. They are asking for immediate emergency financial assistance.
Creator of heaven and earth, those who grow our food are not doing well. We pray for provision for them and for rain. We pray for miracles and also know that this earth and its systems is not ours to play lightly with. We pray families to make it through this crisis and for the health of our agricultural system, of which we are all a part.
Demolitions have begun in occupied East Jerusalem’s Silwan, Palestinian homes and businesses are being destroyed.
Lord of all, we pray for the people of Palestine and Israel and the residents of Silwan in particular. This deep injustice of forcible displacement has borne bad fruit. We keep praying for better solutions that take into account every one of your creations. We pray for those with power to use it for the betterment of those without.
Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with Indigenous people as neighbours and fellow image bearers. You can participate this fall! Get more details and read more from participants in the first cohorts on this website.
The Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act will provide a long-term immigration solution to millions of eligible immigrants - many of whom are essential food workers, health care professionals, and parents to U.S. citizen children. Call your Senators to pass both bills as a good first step towards the goal of citizenship pathways for all 11 million immigrants!
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