I want Jesus to walk with me.
I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

 - I Want Jesus to Walk With Me (An African American Spiritual)

Deaths and Injuries in Gaza

On Monday, Israeli forces killed at least four Palestinians and wounded several others in Gaza, despite the established ceasefire. The victims included a Palestinian man who was killed by a drone in the southern town of Bani Suheila, in an area beyond the so-called “yellow line”. A Palestinian child was also killed in northern Gaza City by an explosion from a device left behind by Israeli forces, according to the territory’s civil defence. The group said several more children were wounded, with some left in critical condition. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli attacks continued throughout the day, with artillery, air raids and helicopter strikes reported.

God of grace and mercy, we come to you with heavy hearts. Though this time has been called a ceasefire, the suffering of children and civilians continues, and our spirits ache at the disconnect between words and reality. Strengthen the voices calling for true peace, and guide all leaders toward an end to violence, so that bullets and bombs may finally be silenced.

Ukraine Sets ‘Red Lines’ as Peace Plans Develop

U.S. and Ukrainian mediators left two days of talks on Monday with a slimmed-down peace plan that, as of now, sets aside contentious issues. This came as Ukrainian officials reiterated their country’s “red lines” on territory, military capacity and foreign alliances. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine was at a “critical moment” and would soon determine its next steps - while President Trump, who is pushing Ukraine to agree to a settlement by Thanksgiving, said that “something good just may be happening.” The initial 28-point plan, drafted by the Trump administration with Russian input, called for Ukraine to give over land to Russia, shrink its army, and forgo membership in NATO.

God, we pray for a peace plan that does not simply allow the powerful to dictate the terms of Ukraine’s future nor does it reward Russia’s aggression. We pray for an immediate end to the fighting and for a free, prosperous Eastern Europe. 

Ottawa and Alberta Agree to Broad Outlines of Energy Deal

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have agreed to an outline of a memorandum of understanding that would give Alberta exemptions from environmental laws and offer political support to a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast, according to CBC News. The deal will be  announced at a joint news conference in Calgary on Thursday. The agreement would be dependent on Alberta embracing a stricter carbon pricing regime and a multibillion-dollar investment in carbon capture. The agreement could rebuild the relationship between the two levels of government, which have been at odds with each other for some time over political and cultural issues. Should the deal go into effect as is, it would include carve-outs for Alberta on federal greenhouse gas regulations, including Ottawa’s net-zero clean electricity regulations. If Alberta were to strengthen its industrial carbon price, the deal would have Ottawa suspend the aforementioned regulations. 

Lord, our scientists tell us that we must phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible to prevent the greatest harm to our planet and its people - and it would appear as though this plan allows Alberta to continue to produce oil for the foreseeable future. Carbon capture is an expensive technology not remotely effective at scale, and rolling back clean electricity regulations provides a short term political win for Ottawa and Alberta at the expense of our collective future. Please, O Lord, convict our leaders of the seriousness of this crisis. 

Sudan Army Chief Rejects Peace Proposal, Citing UAE Role

The head of the Sudanese Armed Forces has rejected a ceasefire plan, alleging that the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) involvement is biased and that the proposal aims to eliminate the army - though the UAE has rejected accusations that it is arming and funding the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). There is now fear, given the dissolution of the latest effort to end the fighting, that the bitter civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – which has killed tens of thousands of people and created a humanitarian crisis – is set to continue.

God, we pray for the people of Sudan who continue to live under the threat of daily violence, displacement, and war. We pray for their safety, their security, and the future of the Sudanese people. May sanctuary and prosperity be in their future.

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

Learning from People on the Move: A Faithful Migratory Experience

Resonate Global Mission invites you to embark on a unique migratory learning journey—from Grand Rapids through Central America. This 10-day experience follows the route of migrants, offering participants the opportunity to learn from their stories, witness their faith, and connect their journeys to our own. Together, we’ll discover what it means to love our neighbors more deeply and live out God’s call to compassion and justice.

Learn more here!

Join World Renew in calling for global action to halt starvation crisis in Gaza

World Renew, as a global organization with over 60 years of experience in food security and humanitarian response across more than 30 countries, and as a member of ACT Alliance, joins with more than 100 partner organizations to sound the alarm about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call for immediate and decisive action to prevent mass starvation and further suffering. Read their full statements here (US, Canada), and take action by using their link to contact government officials yourself with a message to stop famine and save lives.