I know you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

- Thomas Merton (part 2)

Protests in the US

Protests against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents who are responsible for detaining and arresting non-citizens suspected of being in the country without legal status have intensified amid viral footage showing tense confrontations and violence. 

Heart-wrenching videos include the quick escalation and fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by federal agents. Furthermore, authorities have offered sharply different interpretations of the event than the protesting citizens and the viral footage indicate. 

The protests reveal the violence being witnessed in the streets, and also the deeply held differences of civil opinion in the US. The strain of competing narratives is further widening divides within communities and across the public square.

Lord, we pray for all people experiencing and witnessing trauma including ICE agents, targeted individuals, and protestors. The fear, the pain, and the confusion is palpable. Holy Spirit provide comfort. Raise up leaders who beat swords into ploughshares, and equip and empower your workers to continue the task of tilling soil where seeds of peace can be planted and grown. We pray for justice to prevail in the nation of the USA. 

The Sale of Armoured Vehicles in Canada

Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a contract to buy 20 armored vehicles from the Canadian-linked defence manufacturer Roshel, prompting concern among peace advocates and some Canadian legislators. The vehicles, designed to protect personnel from bullets and bomb blasts, were ordered as a rush purchase worth about C$10 million. Critics, including NDP MP Jenny Kwan and disarmament groups, say it is “deeply troubling” that a company based in Ontario would supply tactical hardware to an agency linked by human rights organizations to serious abuses, including arbitrary detention and mistreatment of migrants. 

They argue Canada has obligations under international arms-trade standards and should not enable further militarization of an agency with a controversial record. 

Premier Doug Ford, however, publicly welcomed the sale. 

The situation reveals that nations are interconnected, and that Canada itself contains tensions of differing opinions on how flourishing in areas of people, planet, and profit are sought.  

Creator of all, although we all might agree on the desire for flourishing, we do not agree on how it is pursued, or on the trickle-down effects of choosing one area to flourish over another’s. We also don’t agree on where the borders for human interconnectedness and responsibility lies. May your will be done in your creation and to all its creatures. May government leaders seek to uphold shalom in all its fullness. 

Extreme Cold in Canada and US

This winter, North America is enduring an extraordinary cold wave and widespread storms, with record snow, ice, and brutal temperatures. Wind chills and prolonged deep freezes have been reported, and massive snowstorms have grounded flights and caused dangerous travel conditions across states and provinces. As extreme cold drives electricity demand to the brink in Eastern Canada, the threat of blackouts reminds us how fragile energy systems are, and how vulnerability can turn deadly for those without secure heat or shelter.

Weather extremes take a disproportionate toll on those without shelter or resources. Homeless and marginalized people risk frostbite, hypothermia, and exposure and low-income households struggle to afford heat. 

We pray for those who suffer in the cold, and pray for your strengthening of community agencies, hospitals, social workers, and churches who are helping people cope in harsh conditions. Lord, empower your people, alleviate suffering, and, in a time when so much divides us, bind us together in love and care for one another. 

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

U.S Religious Worker Visa Update

Recent changes to the Religious Worker Visa Program have required many foreign-born religious workers to leave the United States after five years, causing significant disruption to congregations, spiritual care, and vital ministries that serve local communities. Many faith communities, including the Christian Reformed Church, rely deeply on the dedication and service of religious workers from around the world.

Over the past year, the CRC has joined with many denominations in the ecumenical community to advocate for a more just and compassionate policy. We are encouraged to share that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently issued an interim final rule in response that addresses some aspects of this challenge. While we welcome this step forward, we also recognize that it offers only a partial remedy.

Alongside the broader faith community, we remain committed to advocating for a permanent, legislative solution that provides a more comprehensive and lasting fix. We encourage you to reach out to your Members of Congress to support the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act, and to continue praying for wisdom, compassion, and meaningful structural change in this important area.

Standing with Our Immigrant Neighbors in a Time of Crisis

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, a group that represents 40 denominations and thousands of churches, schools and nonprofit organizations who understand that together we can do so much more than on our own!

Read their statement on refugees and immigrants in the United States, and take action by using their link to contact government officials with a message to provide pathways for persecuted Christians and refugees. 

Thrive continues to provide immigration support and guidance to churches and ministry leaders. Reach out to at [email protected] if you require support and guidance.