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Family of God, our world groans. Fires rage through Australia. Violence and instability threaten peace in the Middle East. Confusion and political posturing contaminate the U.S. federal government. Any one of these events can spurn suffering and chaos across our world, but all of them lead us to lament, “How long, oh Lord, shall the wicked exult?”

Epiphany is a season of light. Let us ask God to illumine us with God’s Spirit that we might be light to a world that is cloaked in smoke-filled darkness. Scripture instructs, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” We are encouraging those connected with the Reformed Church in America to dedicate Sunday, January 19, as a day of prayer and fasting. As churches, consider corporately praying for our world in worship. We also invite you to personally dedicate time that day to the spiritual practices of prayer and fasting, as a means of discerning what personal steps you can take to be a Christ-like presence in the world.

Furthermore, we encourage you to contact your elected representatives and let them know that you are participating in a time of prayer and fasting for peace. In Canada, ask them to promote peace. In the U.S., request that they take steps to de-escalate actions which could lead to war. Also consider contributing to organizations like the Red Cross of Australia, https://www.redcross.org.au, who provide aid for victims of the Australian fires.

In the words of 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.”

Yours in Christ,

The Commission on Christian Action