Pray for Canada

/

Lots to pray for here in Canada- polarizing politics, the current Emergencies Act invoked by Trudeau and all the controversies looming about. If you’ve been following the Canadian news this week/this month in all its forms (not just mainstream media), there is a plethora of emotions swirling about. Apathy, Outrage, Shock and everything in between.

What gives me peace is stepping out in faith to pray- be it alone, with my husband or with groups. Casting heavy burdens to God in prayer not only lifts the weight off our shoulders, but connects us with the source of all hope:)

🙏Pray for Canada🙏

I grew up praying the Lord’s Prayer as a child and recited it verbatim most days. I am grateful for that, but it wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s+ where I began to truly understand more the depth of Jesus’ MODEL for prayer. It has served as a spiritual template to approach many issues, people or places I have been burdened for- including the nation of Canada. 🇨🇦 Reflecting on Matthew 6 in its entirety helps keep our focus on the purpose of Prayer & how our posture should be of praise & honour for who God is. Because of Jesus, we can approach Him with boldness and vulnerability with our hearts wide open/ bearing our soul with all that we carry. Our hopes- our angst…He knows our thoughts anyhow- but we are created to communicate/be in communion with Him nonetheless. Trusting the outcomes (like that of the Freedom Convoy/ Canada's recent Emergency Act orders/ spin off protests across the nations and all the “sides” ) to our Creator. It is God who is perfectly suited to govern the hearts of humanity, not systems of this world.

Jesus said:

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:7-15 NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer is packed with opportunities to grow in faith in times like these like:

  • Our Father in heaven (Do we believe that there is a loving God who cares for us personally who created the universe and all of Creation? Do we know what it is to be a “Child of God” who can confidently call the Creator “Father” to truly depend on Him through all seasons of life?)

  • hallowed be your name, (Do we stop and ponder what it means that God’s name is Holy, and do we know the character of God or do we believe the lies spoken about God our Creator).

  • your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ( Do we have a vision for Gods Kingdom coming “on earth as it is in heaven” to inspire us TO pray for His Will to be done?. Let’s be excited about what God is doing in our midst as foretold throughout the Biblical narrative from Creation, to the fall, to redemption and restoration. In the future- He is restoring all things. Heaven is not a dream, it is a reality. His kingdom can begin in our hearts today and there WILL be a new heaven and a new earth. Studying prophecy for what is to come has brought peace to my heart. It motivates my prayers and gives me peace amidst all of life’s storms.)

  • Give us today our daily bread (We are not promised tomorrow, but Jesus instructs us to live each day asking what we need for today and stewarding that well for ourselves, family and world).

  • And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Are we walking in forgiveness? Receiving grace & extending grace in these polarizing times? )

  • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (We live in an ever increasing secular world were many want to ignore the reality of evil that is within a human heart and evil that is named in scripture. For “we do not fight against flesh and blood but by the powers and principalities of the air” (Ephesians 6:12), Without a healthy understanding of this, we will get caught up in political and religious wars- and relying solely on the systems of the world to save us or rule us. Asking God to search our own hearts and protect us from deception is required at all levels of human interaction. Why? We are tempted and evil does exist.)

  • For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (This is a profound mystery- reminds me of the importance to “Love your neighbour as yourself”- God’s presence cannot dwell within our hearts and minds if we are harbouring anger, jealousy, rage, hatred, and withholding forgiveness from another. We can love others and be “ministers of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) regardless if the other party is ready to reciprocate. God did his part to reconcile humanity to himself through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we must do our part and leave the outcome to God.)

    And so many other heart stirring q’s. It’s a profound mystery why God chooses to work through us at times to accomplish His purposes - our destiny on the earth, but He does. 🙏🇨🇦

*I have more I could say or share on this topic: i.e. prayerful intercession, discerning the times, “Right- Left” roots and the intense political discord. There’s the dire need for crucial conversations at all levels of society with conflict resolution processes in place. I believe God has a destiny for Canada to step into more fully, and that includes doing our part as a signpost- a conduit for healing to the nations. In order to step into that call, we MUST address this cancel culture that has eroded its ugly head in our midst. BUT will leave that for now for various reasons. Our hearts are hurting, including mine. I am grateful for the gift of lament amidst the call to prayer.- I bring all my angst to the Lord. Grateful for the joy of burden bearing with others as God brings people into our lives to carry the load together in healing conversations and prayer.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galations 6:2

Sharing a short segment from the Chosen along with a Rabbi Jason Sobel as he explains in“The Chosen Unveiled” as to describing more the endearing relationship with relating to God as “Father” as they unpack this in the creative depiction of a scene in this series of God’s desire for relationship with his Creation. Complete dependence on God to meet our needs. We are called to fear God (not man)- with an awe and reference type of fear.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:18: "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

  • Psalm 103:13: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." ...

I just loved this scene below- thought to share it with you as this actors’ depiction of Jesus interacting with the children is just so precious. As they recite the Lord’s prayer together, their interactions models how approachable they (The Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit) are. Let’s keep that in mind heh, when we are praying for BIG issues like the state of our communities, nations and world, that God is ready, able and willing to lean in with great interest to hear our prayers and answer them according to His plans and purposes for us all. His compassion never fails us.

  • If you aren’t connected to a faith community, I encourage you to reach out to one and get connected/ reconnected! If you’d also like some recommended resources or groups to engage in prayer together (In person or online), feel free to reach out and I can connect you with some non denominational ministries / organizations I value and respect in the area of prayer and intercession.