Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a decree…, and appointed a law…, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. – Psalm 78:1-7
God of Peace, we pray for diplomats, negotiations, and peaceful solutions in areas of war, unrest, cyberattacks, and conflict.
- Iran/U.S. War: A peace deal remains out of reach despite the increased push for a diplomatic settlement. U.S. limited strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, November 1, opened a new battlefield.
- Ukraine/Russia War: The U.S. approves a possible $2.1 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Ukraine on October 30. Mediators plan to meet with representatives from Russia and Ukraine next week, November 11–12, in Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) to focus on post-war security arrangements, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace.
- Yemen: Al-Jawf becomes a new hotspot on November 2 in the war between Yemeni government forces and Houthis.
- Western Sahara: The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the disputed region ends on November 1 after 35 years, after the UN failed to renew its mandate.
- Sudan and Ethiopia: Deadly Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone attacks, allegedly from Ethiopian territory, have been targeting civilian infrastructure, power stations, and cities in Sudan again this week, revealing deep divisions.
- Poland: Poland thwarted a possible Russian provocation on the Kaliningrad border with Russia overnight on Monday, November 2.
- Germany: Gen Z protests turned violent on Sunday, November 1, as tens of thousands took to the streets.
- Europe: Millions of euros’ worth of food spoiled in grocery store refrigerators and freezers after cyberattacks on thermostats hit internet-controlled refrigeration systems across multiple European countries again this week, switching freezers into defrost mode and placing refrigerators in high-heat mode.
- France: Hackers targeted Coolworld, the refrigeration supplier for the French blood bank, and programmed the refrigerators to raise the temperature of stored blood to extremely high levels overnight on November 1–2. Alarm systems detected anomalies before temperatures spiked dangerously. No blood or plasma was lost.
God of Wisdom, we pray for newly elected leaders that they may govern with wisdom and equity. Grant them wise advisors who will guide them in the decisions ahead.
- Israel: President Isaac Herzog has accepted the results of last week’s parliamentary elections and has begun the process of naming a Prime Minister designate. Netanyahu lost his majority; possible paths ahead include Eisenkot or Netanyahu being named Prime Minister with a new coalition.
- Serbia: The Students’ List party won government elections, resulting in a seismic shift of power and toppling the rule of President Aleksander Vučić, who had been in power since 2012.
- Bulgaria: Iliana Yotova, who has stated her desire to be a president of peace, won Bulgaria’s presidential election runoff on Sunday, November 1.
- U.S.: Midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, saw record wins for the Democrats, with both the Senate and the House of Representatives set to be in Democratic Party control in January 2027. Republican President Donald Trump retains veto power over legislation passed by both houses.
God of Home and Homelands, we pray for displaced peoples, deported peoples, and refugees searching for a new home, and for the hospitality and resources of the receiving countries.
- Afghanistan: Thousands of Afghans evacuated in 2021 face frozen resettlement pipelines. Pakistan has pushed back approximately 2.5 million Afghans since late 2023, and Iran has also returned millions to Afghanistan. The United Nations warns of a “lost generation,” with an estimated 3.8 million Afghan girls aged 7–18 denied education due to Taliban bans. This week, a group of U.S. lawmakers warns officials that Afghan refugees — including former government and military allies deported by the U.S. — will face certain death from the Taliban if returned to Afghanistan.
God of Wonders, we are grateful for this week’s good news of epic journeys and rescues.
- United Kingdom: After an epic 28-year walking expedition of 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) around the world — from Punta Arenas, Chile, to his hometown of Hull, UK — British adventurer Karl Bushby embraced his awaiting mother as he finally returned home.
- Kiribati: Five people from Micronesia were rescued alive on Sunday, November 1, by villagers in the South Pacific after being adrift for 5,400 kilometers (3,355 miles) in their small boat, reported lost in the Pacific Ocean since July 30.
O God, our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. The earth is yours, and all its people and creatures are yours. Let your ways be known to your children; let your deeds be done with justice, mercy, and compassion. Save the harvests of the earth, the cattle of the fields, and the fish of the seas; save your children from hunger and the devastation of famines and wars. Help us do the good you have entrusted to our care. Amen.
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