So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2 Corinthians 5:16-18
NIGERIAN CHURCH MASSACRE
A church in Owo, Nigeria was attacked by gunmen on Sunday who killed over 50 people at the end of Pentecost services. No group has claimed responsibility but the horrendous violence towards people at worship has terrified a region. We pray for safety, justice and healing for every person affected:
Lord of the Church,
Your children were celebrating the coming of the Spirit like so many of us were. We pray that the families and people most affected by this violence would experience grace, mercy, and your generosity as they heal. We pray that this violence would be thwarted in the future. We pray for the churches in Nigeria, including Christian Reformed Churches, may they be places of reconciliation, hope, healing, in the name of Jesus.
ANNIVERSARY OF LONDON ATTACK ON MUSLIM FAMILY
One year ago, a Muslim family out for an evening walk was targeted by in a white supremacist attack, leaving only a 9-year-old survivor. As the city marks this anniversary, we continue to pray against violence, in speech or act, towards our Muslim friends and neighbors across Canada.
Lord, this family could be any of our families on a sunny evening, but they were murdered because of their faith. Lord, we call upon your name, we say that your nature, character is love. Lord, heal our hearts where suspicion and love remain. Help us who trust in your law of love stop violence in its tracks with clear speech about the effects of white body and cultural supremacy. Lord, help us to love our world, and its inhabitants with as much commitment and fearless ness as you do.
MIGRANT WORKER INJUSTICE STILL PRESENT AFTER COVID
While COVID outbreaks on farms that house migrant workers in Canada are better managed, the issues the pandemic revealed in the system are still present.
Father we pray for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada as we enter this summer season. May the systems and policies that regulate temporary migrant labor continue to be shaped to enhance the dignity and ensure good outcomes for the people helping to bring us our food. We pray that health and economic risks are addressed as COVID continues to spread endemically and that all workers receive the benefits of working to harvest your creation.