The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. 

Deuteronomy 31:8

Multilateral Meetings Push for Peace in Ukraine

U.S. President Trump met with Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as other European leaders at the White House on Monday. It was the latest effort in several negotiations to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. During the meeting, Trump said that Washington would provide some security guarantees to Ukraine including the possibility of air support if Ukraine agreed to a deal to end fighting. This marks a shift in the administration’s previous policy on the conflict. President Trump has also been speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to begin setting up a possible direct meeting between the two sides.

Lord God of peace, we pray for an end to the war in Ukraine and for all fighting to cease. We pray the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people be respected and honored by its neighboring nations and that a coalition of peace-seeking peoples and nations might push for a resolution that saves lives.

Scientists Explain True Dangers of Wildfire Smoke

A new study has found that smoke spewed by wildfires is far more dangerous than previously thought, with death tolls from short-term exposure to fine particulates underestimated by 93%. Researchers found that between 2004 and 2022, an average of 535 people in Europe died each year as a result of breathing in the tiny toxic particles, known as PM2.5, that are released when wildfires rage.  Previously, scientists had assumed that PM2.5 from wildfires would be as deadly as from other sources, such as traffic. However, if that had been the case, the expected death toll should have been closer to 38 deaths a year. “Previously, people assumed the same toxicity for wildfire particles and all particles,” said Professor Cathryn Tonne, an epidemiologist at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and co-author of the study. “Our paper shows evidence that – although it happens less often – the health impact for the same amount of particles is stronger for wildfire particles,” she added.

Lord, the more we learn of the destruction of your creation, the more it becomes clear how much trouble humans and their communities are in. The threats to infrastructure and habitats are getting bigger and more frequent. Empower us to enable resilience in our homes, our roads, our hospitals, and all the parts of our lives that require adaptation to this new world we inhabit.

Wildfires Hit New Regions of Canada

As Canada goes through its second-worst wildfire burn on record, road closures and evacuations from officials have become fixtures. The blazes also demonstrate a new reality: few are coming from the western provinces, the traditional center of their destruction. Instead, the worst of the fires have been concentrated in the prairie provinces and the Atlantic region. Experts have noted that this shift serves as a reminder that the risk of disaster is present across the thickly forested nation. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes due to the wildfires. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been the worst hit, covering more than 60% of the area burned in Canada. The fires have also seized resources in Atlantic Canada, where officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are struggling to battle out-of-control blazes. Newfoundland premier, John Hogan, said on Wednesday morning he would temporarily ban off-road vehicles in forested areas because the province “simply cannot afford any further risks, given the number of out-of-control wildfires we have”.

God, our hearts pour out for all who are now living between homes in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Atlantic region of Canada. As they wait, worrying, and long for a resolution, we pray that they will find the support and care they need. Protect those involved in fighting the fires, Lord, and bring an end to the destruction.

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Churches

The Christian Reformed Church is inviting all congregations and members to join a virtual prayer vigil on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. EST. This will be a time to hear stories and prayer requests directly from members of CRC congregations who are experiencing challenges as a result of the increased immigration enforcement activities taking place across the United States. Churches are also encouraged to set aside a special time of prayer during worship on Sunday, September 7—lifting up affected communities and praying for justice, love, and compassionate care. Learn more and download a congregational prayer based on Psalm 13 here.