He has shown you, O people, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

President Trump says he'll delay a threatened 50% tariff on the European Union until July

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. will delay implementation of a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union from June 1 until July 9 to buy time for negotiations with the bloc. That agreement came after a call Sunday with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who had told Trump that she "wants to get down to serious negotiations," according to the U.S. president's retelling. "I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that," Trump told reporters on Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey, as he prepared to return to Washington. 

Lord God of grace and truth, we pray for policies that look out for, prioritize, and protect the most vulnerable among us. We pray for economic policy that is more concerned with human wellbeing and the flourishing of our communities than the maximizing of profits. We pray for resolution between the US and the EU.

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 54, officials say

At least 54 Palestinians have been killed in two separate Israeli air strikes overnight, including a strike on a school sheltering displaced families in central Gaza, two hospital directors have told the BBC. Fahmi Al-Jargawi School in Gaza City had been housing hundreds of displaced people from the town of Beit Lahia, currently under intense Israeli military assault. A spokesperson for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence said 20 bodies, including those of children, were recovered – many were severely burned, after fires engulfed two classrooms turned into living quarters. The Israeli military (IDF) said it had targeted "a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command and control centre". The IDF said the area was being used "by the terrorists to plan... attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops", and accused Hamas of using "the Gazan population as human shields". 

Merciful God, we have watched and read and heard about this bloodshed going on for far too long – too long for any justice to be achieved. We pray to see you move in a miraculous way.  Help. Intervene. Save, Lord.

Russia fires record number of drones into Ukraine

Russia overnight launched the biggest drone attack on Ukraine in the more than three-year war, a Ukrainian official said Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump said Russian leader Vladimir Putin has gone “crazy” by stepping up the bombing of Ukraine while the U.S. tries to broker peace. The Russian bombardment on Sunday night included 355 drones, Yuriy Ihnat, head of the Ukrainian air force’s communications department, told The Associated Press. Russia also fired nine cruise missiles during the attack, Ukrainian authorities said. Officials reported some civilians were injured. No deaths were immediately reported. On Saturday night, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other regions came under a massive Russian combined drone-and-missile attack that killed at least 12 people and injured dozens. Ukrainian officials described that bombardment as Russia’s largest aerial assault during the conflict, using 69 missiles of various types and 298 drones.

God, we pray that the world might have a united front against this ongoing escalation by Russia to seize Ukrainian land and take Ukrainian lives. We pray for the safety, security, and prosperity of all Ukrainians, and the return to Russia for all these soldiers. End this violence, Lord.

Major Canadian wildfire kills two and forces 1,000 people to evacuate homes

A major wildfire burning in central Canada has killed two people and forced 1,000 more to evacuate their homes, kicking off a fire season authorities warn could prove devastating. Canadian federal police confirmed that two people died in the small community of Lac du Bonnet, in the central province of Manitoba, which is experiencing unusually hot, dry and windy conditions. Manitoba’s premier, Wab Kinew, said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of two Manitobans due to the wildfires”. In 2023, during Canada’s worst wildfire season, there were no recorded civilian deaths. Chris Hastie of the Royal Canadian mounted police told reporters that authorities “were aware that these individuals had been trapped in the fire”. “Due to extreme conditions yesterday afternoon, emergency personnel were not able to reach the location until this morning,” Hastie added. Several evacuations orders have been issued in recent days in Manitoba. In Lac du Bonnet, 1,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes. “This is a truly tragic event, we are a very close-knit community here,” Loren Schinkel, the head of the community 100km (62 miles) north of Winnipeg, said.

We pray for the safety of all Manitobans, and especially those caught in harm’s way as these fires continue to rage. We also pray for the 90+ wildfires active across Canada, and pray that you might help first responders and civilians to move out of harm’s way and to safety.

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Welcome New and Returning Leaders to Canada’s 45th Parliament 

As the 45th Canadian Parliament opens this month, we want to extend a message of gratitude to our new and returning government leaders, thanking and encouraging them for taking up the challenge of service for public good, justice and reconciliation. Romans 13 calls governing authorities to be God’s servants for our good. As people of hope and the gospel, we want to encourage them in this role, and emphasize the need for companionship and cooperation when working on important issues. Greet your MP today!

Western Canada Intercultural Cohort

A growing number of Canadian CRC churches are becoming intercultural, and discerning the Spirit’s leading alongside other congregations can be helpful.   We are currently preparing for a Western Canada cohort starting in September.  Get more information on our website.