September 26, 2024: Just another day in the combat zone

NATO says it wants its members to develop national plans to bolster the capacity of their individual defence industry sectors, a concept Canada has struggled with — or avoided outright — for decades. The threat of an armed confrontation between western allies and Russia or China (or both) hangs over Canada, and—according to Vincent Rigby, a former national security and intelligence adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—the country still doesn’t have a national security strategy, a formal foreign policy or a defence industrial policy.

“Given the state of the world, we have to have contingency plans in place,” Rigby said.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/thinking-the-unthinkable-nato-wants-canada-and-allies-to-gear-up-for-a-conventional-war/ar-AA1reCaP#

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that the U.S. would continue to provide military aid to Israel, playing down the idea of “red lines”, even as he warned that an all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah would be devastating.

Israel rejected global calls for a ceasefire with Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah on Thursday, defying its biggest ally the U.S. and pressing ahead with strikes that have killed hundreds in Lebanon and heightened fears of a regional war.

https://www.aol.com/news/risk-war-between-hezbollah-israel-145948665.html

 

An Israeli airstrike hit a school sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza on Thursday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 22, including women and children, the territory’s Health Ministry said.

The Israeli military confirmed it struck the school in the Jabalia refugee camp, saying it was targeting Hamas militants inside who were planning attacks on Israeli troops.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/at-least-11-killed-in-israeli-strike-that-hit-a-school-in-northern-gaza-1.7053264

 

A Prayer for Deliverance

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

 

Holy God, we who are surrounded by voices raised in protest and in anguish bring before you the wrongs from which humanity still suffers. Remembering that you are the Creator of the whole human family, we pray for those upon whom are inflicted the cruelties of war: those who are killed, maimed, and made homeless by armed conflict; those who are mistreated by members of occupying forces; those who are brutalized by what they are ordered to do; those who are forced to fight against their conscience.

We pray for those who are denied their liberty: those who are persecuted for their religious views; those compelled to live and work as slaves; those denied access to education and health care. Make us more open to new ideas—and more able to see the face of Christ in the face of every neighbour.

We pray for those who stand against injustice and oppression: those who protest publicly; those who rouse opinion by their speech and writing; those who bring just concerns to the attention of politicians and others in authority. By the power of your Holy Spirit, make them willing first of all to appeal to the judgment and the conscience; guide them as they ponder whether to use violent means to right extreme wrongs; preserve them from corrupting those whose cause they take up—from destroying some while liberating others.

Great, mysterious, Triune God, we thank you for standing with us as we work for justice and peace—for it is difficult work. In many cases it seems that we can only have one without the other: peace, at the cost of perpetuating injustice; or justice, at the cost of a broken peace. O God, show all people how they can strive for justice without recourse to the violence of war; and—if a nation must go to war—may it not cause greater evil than it seeks to remove.

O God, speak strong words of courage to those who must live out their lives facing challenge as it comes. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name. Hear us as we pray …

ONE:  From a spirit of contention which would destroy our unity;

MANY:  Good Lord, deliver us.

ONE:  From a spirit of rage which would destroy our love;

MANY:  Good Lord, deliver us.

ONE:  From a spirit of despair which would destroy our hope;

MANY:  Good Lord, deliver us.

ONE:  From pride of self which leaves no room for your Spirit;

ALL:  Good Lord, deliver us—for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

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