“Wisdomkeeper, is it you? Stands on the Rock (Peter) shouted back to him. “If so, tell me now to come to you on the water.” “Come!” he said to him without any hesitation.  With reckless abandon, Stands on the Rock (Peter) climbed over the side of the canoe and began to walk on the water towards him.” - Matthew 14:28-29 (FNV) 

Summer Days at Home

While summer is often celebrated as a season of rest and freedom, for many families, the school break brings underlying challenges and heightened stress. Without the safety net of school routines, subsidized meal programs, and structured childcare, millions of working parents and single caregivers struggle to afford seasonal care while balancing work. For children, long unstructured months can lead to increased social isolation, food insecurity, and exposure to tense household environments.

God of grace and refuge, we pray for families navigating the exhausting physical, financial, and emotional demands of the summer months. Be near to parents carrying the anxiety of provision, and protect children who are feeling isolated, unsafe, or hungry without the routine of school. 

Northwestern Ontario Wildfires 

With 140 active wildland fires burning across northwestern Ontario, extreme heat, dry conditions, and shifting winds continue to strain fire suppression resources and threaten local communities. Over forty fires remain classified as out of control, prompting air quality warnings, road closures, and emergency evacuations—particularly affecting remote First Nations communities and municipalities across the region. 

As thick smoke drifts eastward and fire crews work under hazardous conditions, the crisis highlights the growing vulnerability of northern communities to extreme summer weather events and the vital need for regional support and climate resilience.

God, our hearts are heavy for the communities across northwestern Ontario facing fear, displacement, and hazardous conditions today. We pray for families forced to evacuate their homes, especially in remote First Nations, and for all who are suffering from dense smoke and anxiety. Protect the emergency responders, and pilots risking their safety on the front lines. 

Economic Uncertainty Mounts

With temporary trade measures expiring, the U.S. administration is preparing a new wave of baseline tariffs targeting dozens of countries. The cycle of new import taxes and foreign retaliation creates deep unpredictability for global markets and small businesses alike. While framed as economic policy, these trade shifts have real-world consequences—raising daily costs for households, threatening jobs, and straining international relationships. It is a reminder of our interconnected global economy and the need for fair, collaborative stewardship that protects ordinary families.

God of wisdom, we lift up the workers, business owners, and families bearing the practical burden of shifting trade policies. Grant leaders the discernment to seek economic stability and build cooperative partnerships rather than escalation. Protect households struggling with the rising cost of living, and guide our global community toward an economy rooted in fairness and mutual flourishing. Amen.

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!