Lead me, guide me along the way

For if you lead me, I cannot stray

Lord, let me walk each day with you

Lead me my whole life through

~ “Lead Me Guide Me”

Israel launches ground offensive in Gaza City

Israel unleashed a ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, sending tanks and remote-controlled armoured cars packed with explosives into its streets, in defiance of the findings of a UN commission that it was committing genocide in the Palestinian territory. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the goals of the offensive were “defeating the enemy and evacuating the population”, omitting any mention of the freeing of the remaining Israeli hostages, which has been a constantly stated war aim until now. Hostage families and their supporters protested near Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence on Tuesday, accusing him of abandoning their loved ones. 

God, we have prayed endlessly for this war to end, for hostages and prisoners to come home, for the innocent to be freed from the bondages of violence and oppression. Cease the hands of wickedness, and end this violence.

Young climate activists in court aim to stop pro-fossil fuel executive orders

Youth climate activists are in court this week regarding recent executive orders promoting fossil fuels and rejecting climate science. In a two-day hearing in Missoula, Montana, the young activists, who are between 7 and 25, will argue that a federal judge should block three pro-fossil fuel executive orders. The hearing, which follows the filing of litigation in May, will mark the first time a federal court hears live testimony in a youth-led constitutional climate case. The lawsuit specifically targets executive orders declaring a “national energy emergency” and aiming to “unleash American energy”, and another April order aimed at “reinvigorating” the domestic production of coal – the most polluting and costliest fossil fuel. “At a time when we need to reduce fossil fuel reliance, the federal government is actively setting us back with these executive orders designed to unleash fossil fuels,” Georgi Fischer, a plaintiff in the case, told the Guardian. “It’s incredibly important for us to fight back against these unconstitutional attacks on our rights to life and liberty.”

We pray that truthtellers young and old might speak in ways that the people and the courts can hear - may the cries of the rivers and grasslands be weaved into each and every argument, testimony, and response as these activists defend our future.

Canadian EV targets paused for 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney has paused a key electric vehicle sales target while pushing for a "Buy Canadian" policy, as his government deals with the impact of US trade policies. Canadian automakers will no longer be required to ensure 20% of new car sales are electric by next year, Carney said on Friday. The moves come as Canada's economy has shown signs of weakening - shedding 66,000 jobs in August and pushing unemployment to 7.1%. While the EV mandate from next year will be paused, the longer-term goals - 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035 - will remain. The mandate requiring the number of new zero-emission vehicles sold in Canada was put in place by Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau in 2023. Sales of zero-emissions vehicles hit an 11.7% market share last year, according to government figures.

Each and every time the economy gets shaky, environmental commitments are the first to be nixed. We pray for economies that take seriously their commitments, and leaders who stand by their convictions when times get tough.

Becoming (part of) the Answer to our Own Prayers

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.