The Lord reigns forever;
    he has established his throne for judgment.

- Psalm 9:7 

The Weight of What We Wear

There is no machine that miraculously produces clothing. Every garment we wear has been touched by human hands. Therefore, the clothes we wear carry more than personal style; they carry stories. Stories of creation, consumption, and consequence.

The world produces over 100 billion garments annually, with many made of non-biodegradable synthetics, contributing to roughly 92 million tonnes of textile waste. The modern clothing industry is built upon speed and excess, producing far more than humanity needs while relying heavily on water, fossil fuels, and underpaid labour. Mountains of discarded garments pile up in landfills or are burned in deserts, releasing further harm into the air and earth. Even well-intentioned donations overwhelm systems unable to repair or reuse what’s already in circulation.

To do justice is to hear the voices and the stories of the land, the plants, the animals, and the workers who produced them. Buying less, consuming less, showcasing less, living with less, planned purchasing, choosing strategically, repairing, repurposing, and crafting our own clothing–these actions honour the dignity of the earth’s resources, creatures, and the human hands behind what we wear.

Lord, give us ears to hear the stories our closets tell. Forgive us when we lose the will to listen. Thank you for the lilies that gently redirect us. Clothe us in humility, patience, and self-control.

Conflict in the Middle East 

As violence escalates between nations, we are reminded how quickly human lives become entangled in power, fear, and pride. The conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States reveals the limits of military power. Each side is driven by deep conviction, yet the cost is borne by ordinary people and the earth itself.

Layered within this conflict are threads of competing religious convictions. We have seen religion used as justification for each side. Faith and spirituality, meant to draw humanity toward a unifying truth, are easily co-opted in the pursuit of domination.

A fragile ceasefire exists, but it is strained and uncertain. Violations are reported, and results of negotiations are reported differently on opposite sides, and the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted and volatile.

Pray for leaders to find off-ramps that preserve life, even when pride demands escalation. Pray for imagination beyond retaliation. Jesus, even a cursory reading of the gospels reveals a radically different way than what we are witnessing. How hard it is to turn the other cheek. How easy it is to fight. We pray for wisdom, restraint, and courage to turn from violence. Agitate your peacemakers in all countries to do this hard and humble work. Make a way, Lord Jesus.

Camino Rojo 

CBC News has its sights on an unfolding story of how workers at a Canadian-owned gold mine in Mexico repeatedly raised serious life-threatening concerns through the company’s ethics hotline, but received no response. Their complaints alleged that local managers sought the involvement of a Sinaloa cartel faction to kidnap, threaten with death, and terrorize union leaders and workers ahead of a union vote. 

The mine, Camino Rojo, is in the semi-desert area of Zacatecas. It is owned by Vancouver-based Orla Mining who also recently bought the Musselwhite gold mine in northern Ontario.

These allegations are now under review by a U.S. labour panel, offering a rare moment where accountability is being pursued across borders. For workers, this is not minor. It is a reality shaped by constant fear, control, and risk of violence.

Pray that truth is brought to light. Pray for courage and protection for whistleblowers. Pray that justice prevails. May the outcome of this investigation restore hope, dignity, and stability for workers and families in Mexico. Pray for rivers of justice to flow through this semi-desert. Pray the legal systems investigating the actions and ethics of the people involved with the Camino Rojo mine bring managers, drug lords, and owners to justice. Preserve life and dignity of the oppressed. Bring peace and life to fear-beleaguered hearts. 

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Beyond the Headlines: Faith, Community and the Stories that Shape Us

Join a new justice education series from Thrive, World Renew, and the Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue. This four-part series explores immigration, food justice, climate justice, and gender justice through a biblical lens—equipping participants to recognize harmful narratives, understand root causes, and take meaningful, faith-informed action. Learn more and register today!