This Sunday is our nation’s 151st birthday. As we prepare to meet together to worship take a moment to pray this prayer for Canada, written by David Mainse of 100 Huntley Street. Read through once to get the gist. Read it a second time, but this time, pray it to God.
“We, who are citizens of Canada, humbly ask you, O God, to look upon us with mercy and grace. From your Word in the Seventy-second Psalm, our founding fathers took this motto: “He shall have Dominion also from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.”
We thank you, O God that they recognized that you are over us as a people. We thank you that their descendants, aware of our need of your assistance, asked you to govern in the affairs of men, including in our National Anthem these words: “God keep our land.”
Sometimes we are tempted to lose faith in our leaders and institutions. And so we pray, as Paul directed in his first letter to Timothy, for “all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all goodness and reverence.”
We acknowledge, O God, that the family was the first institution you created. That institution is no sorely beset, and we need your help. Intervene in strained marriages. Turn the hearts of parents to their children, and children to their parents. And save all family members from abuse of any kind, that our homes might be safe places of refuge and Christian love.
O Lord, make us sensitive to the needs of others, to those who are without work and unable to care for their loved ones. For all who are ill in body, mind, soul and spirit, send your healing power to restore them.
In these uncertain and perilous times, there are so many temptations to be fearful. Recall to our minds, O God, all the nations who turned to you in great need. You preserved and delivered them. Give wisdom and courage and patience to all.
Lord, you gave our parents “Dominion over creation.” You entrusted them with the loving care of all nature. Modern man has forgotten that charge. Help us now to reverse the destruction caused by greed and restore our environment.
We pray for peace among all nations of this planet. We pray that you would touch the hearts of leaders and turn them to the path of peace. And at home we pray for peace between the peoples of Canada. Give each of us mercy and compassion in our hearts, that we might love our neighbors as ourselves.
O Lord, we pray for the native peoples in our Land. May hurts be healed and full recognition of all the founding peoples be granted.
O God for those of us who pray these prayers, pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may turn from our own way and go your way – more faithfully than ever before.
And finally, O Lord grant that we as Christians may have the courage to proclaim and act upon the Word of God. Amen.”
1 David Mainse, Impact Canada 100 (Burlington: Crossroads Christian Communications, 1992) 92.