ANUARY PRAYER POINTS
from the
National House of Prayer
“Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.” – Psalm 85:9
URGENT PRAYER TARGET: Canada Summer Jobs Program
As you may have heard, the federal government has changed the application process for the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants are required to sign an ‘attestation’ endorsing values chosen by the federal government. Here’s how it is explained on the government’s website:
“To be eligible , the core mandate of the organization must respect individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”
(https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs/eligibility.html)
The concern which organizations which are not pro-abortion or who hold traditional moral convictions on sexuality and gender identity will likely be denied the opportunity to participate in this program and receive funding. Rather than protecting rights and freedom, this federal initiative directly assaults three of the first four fundamental freedoms in the Charter including: Freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief and expression; and freedom of association. Whereas the courts have carefully laboured to balance any conflict of rights, the federal government appears ready to indiscriminately trample on some rights to protect others.
This development is of great concern and needs to be covered in effective prayer.
PRAYER POINTS:
- PRAY that every sector of society would recognize this recognize this as a dangerous trend challenging our individual rights.
- PRAY for the Right To Life Association of Toronto and Area, which has launched a court case against the federal government challenging the required “attestation”.
- PRAY that God would turn this strategy on its head, and use it to strengthen the rights of Christians and Canadians, rather than weaken them.
- PRAY that groups would not come under intimidation and that these organizations would stand up for their rights by submitting an application for a summer student.
For more information:
- https://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Topics/Religious-Freedom-in-Canada/Canada-Summer-Jobs-Grants-Policy-Change
- https://www.cccc.org/news_blogs/barry/2017/12/24/cccc-open-letter-to-minister/
- http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/hundreds-of-churches-camps-and-charities-protest-abortion-clause-in-canada-summer-jobs-grant-application
- http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/pro-life-group-says-liberals-violating-rights-by-forcing-it-to-endorse-abortion-for-summer-grant
PRAYER TARGET: The Legalization of Marijuana
When Parliament resumes at the end of the month, the Senate will be continue its deliberations on Bill C-45, the Act to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The Bill passed the House of Commons easily, with support from both the Liberal and the NDP parties, but will face closer scrutiny in the Senate.
The government has stated that the purpose of legalization is to prevent young people from accessing marijuana, protect public health and safety, deter criminal activity, and reduce the burden on the criminal justice system. Many senators appear ready to support the Bill because they agree with these objectives.
The problem is, that while these are very worthwhile objectives, the evidence and experience from other jurisdictions indicates that legalization will accomplish none of them. Instead of making things better, it will make them worse.
We need to contend in prayer for this important issue. There are many voices opposing the timing or the direction that this Bill takes us, but we need a breakthrough!
PRAYER POINTS:
- PRAY for a breakthrough in the understanding of Senators to see that Bill C-45 will take us the wrong direction.
- PRAY for an Acts 6:10 anointing on Senators who are opposing this legislation, that when they speak, those listening “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”
- PRAY for delay. It is critical that adequate time be taken to understand the implications of this Bill.
- PRAY for an awakening on the part of Canadian parents that they would see the dangers of this Bill and make their voices heard in strength. (read how this happened in the US in the late 1970’s)
For more information:
PRAYER TARGET: Rob and Fran Parker
As directors of the National House of Prayer, Rob and Fran Parker keep very busy schedules both in Ottawa and travelling across the country. Their voices and wisdom and the work of NHOP are critical in our nation at such a time as this. Remember to support them in prayer on a regular basis.
PRAYER POINTS:
- PRAY for strength and good health as they run with endurance.
- PRAY for even greater impact as they speak to churches across the nation.
- PRAY for an even broader reach as they connect with churches across denominational lines.
- PRAY for opportunities and open doors of relationship with parliamentarians from all parties.
- PRAY for continued and increased wisdom and insight as they carry the vision God has given them to raise up prayer for government leaders and the church in Canada.
COMING SOON! Shift College School of Intercession
February 23-24, 2018
Calgary, Alberta
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
BRING A TEAM TO NHOP: Change Your Life, Shift the Nation!
The National House of Prayer hosts prayer teams of all ages and denominations and from every region of Canada. Prayer teams come to Ottawa for a week at a time to specifically pray for our Government and our leaders.
Contact us at info@nhop.ca or 613-789-4907 for more information.