Updated July 22, 2021
Regarding the burning of Churches:
There seems to be more and more churches being attacked with some of the buildings being burned to the ground. This comes after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at sites of former residential schools in Canada. The fires and the vandalism span six provinces and the Northwest Territories. Some of the attacks have been in the heartland of First Nation’s territory.
The idea that Canada’s official policy was once to remove children from their homes, sometimes forcibly, and send them to government schools is unfathomable and reprehensible. In addition, there are legitimate concerns and valid feelings of anger and regret over the terrible events that took place in residential schools.
However, vandalizing of churches does not bring justice to those children. It will not remove the pain caused to them or to their families. Violence is never a fruitful response to violence. It only worsens conditions. This is the work of the enemy to put a wedge between God and Canadians. We must respond with love.
We have included the burning of churches under this heading because we believe the two are related. It is important that we say, we do not think that these acts of vandalism are perpetrated by the First Nations, Indigenous or Metis communities. In fact, many of their leaders have come forward to condemn these acts stating that the violence only adds to the pain already sustained by their peoples. We must stay engaged in praying for these communities that God would breakthrough with healing and salvation.
Pray for those churches who have been violated especially those that have been completely destroyed. Pray for complete re-construction. Pray that the love of God will overcome every fear.
Pray for the church that we would be able to respond with real love.
Pray for these groups of people who feel that destroying a church would somehow bring justice. Pray that the church would have opportunity to show the love of Jesus.
Pray for so many who lived through the horror of residential schools that they would find healing in the revelation of Jesus. - that they would see He was the God of those schools in name only and that they never knew Him.
Pray for co-operation between our government and the Catholic Church, to bring a full disclosure to have a bearing on this.
Please reach out to your Members of Parliament to let them know that you are concerned about the burning down of churches. Let them know that there is no understandable reason for this kind of violence. If your member has already been vocal, be sure to thank them.
Updated July 9, 2021
RoseAnne Archibald, the new national Assembly of First Nations Chief
After five rounds of voting over the span of two days, former Ontario regional chief RoseAnne Archibald has been named the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
Archibald — the first woman elected to the role — won after Reginald Bellerose, chief of Muskowekwan First Nation in Saskatchewan, conceded following the fifth ballot.
Pray that a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation rest on Ms. Archibald and the First Peoples, Inuit and Metis as they walk through a season of reconciliation and healing.
Pray that the government of Canada will be accountable and take responsibility for it's role in the issue of residential schools and that this new chief would have the foresight to hold them under obligation and not allow the government to deflect to a scapegoat.
Pray also for the church that they too would take ownership for their part so that true healing can take place.
Pray for this new chief that she will have the capacity to receive emotional and spiritual restoration that would facilitate wholeness for Indigenous peoples.
Updated July 3, 2021
"On this Canada Day 2021, we declare in His love:
“The Lord God Almighty, the Creator and Maker of all - bless you, oh Kanata (Canada), and keep you, always - under the shadow of His wings! The Lord God make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord God lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace!”
Our Heavenly Father, you said;
“Ask Me, and I will give the nations as Your inheritance, and the far reaches of the earth as Your possession.” Psalms 2:8 TLV
Yeshua, you said
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”” John 14:13-14 TLV
We ask for Canada from sea to sea, from the River to the end of the earth, from the north to the south from east to the west.
We declare - “Canada belongs to you, Lord God Almighty!”
In the name of Yeshua, we decree life, and life abundantly to all people in our nation. Let the healing begin! Let there be peace, that only You can give. We declare prosperity in all spheres of life in the land! Let Your truth and justice prevail in our land!
We declare Canada is a healed nation! Canada is a blessed nation!
To the glory and honour of our Lord Jesus!"
Kenny Blacksmith
Watch Canada Day Sea to Sea/Voices together video as Kenny Blacksmith and other national leaders pray and share into reconciliation.
Updated June 25, 2021
Our hearts continue to break as we hear confirmation of more unmarked graves. We continue to pray for First Peoples leaders like Chief Kenny Blacksmith as they lead our nation on the road to healing and reconciliation.
Update June 10, 2021
"The Lord is far above all gods" (Psalm 97)
"We are seated in heavenly places in Jesus Christ" (Eph. 2:6)
Zoom Prayer Gathering:
12pm – 4pm PST
1pm – 5pm MST
2pm – 6pm CST
3pm – 7pm EST
4pm – 8pm AST
4:30 – 8:30 pm NL
Come prepared to share communion
For further details visit https://hbyn.info
Let’s spread the word and invite others to join in!
On Midsummers Day, June 21 (National Aboriginal Day)
Join us to celebrate and declare that:
Our Lord is most high over all the
earth.
With friends from the British Isles for four hours of lifting high the Name of the Lord over our nations.
Remembering and recognizing our common heritage and calling in worship, ministry and mission, we will pray for the breath of God to breathe fresh life and authourity upon us all.
At three locations where the waters rise and flow across North America, blessings, and prayers for healing on our lands and all our people will be spoken asking for a fresh flow of the Holy Spirit to bring new life that many may draw from the streams of salvation (Isaiah 12:3), and for living water to flow from the hearts of all believers, (John 7:38).
The Great Reset!
“At this point I awoke, and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.” (Jeremiah 31:25 TLV)
I have a dream - that on Canada Day, one million people in Canada will take a solemn time to restore, renew and rebuild an altar of love, adoration, and worship to the Lord God Almighty - our Maker.
I don’t believe I am the only one dreaming, hoping and believing - I believe there are many dreaming this dream.
I believe this is the heart of God also, longing to see Canada, commit and dedicate herself to Him.
Canada belongs to God. Canada will be a blessed nation - to the glory, honour and power of His Name.
Canada will be saved!
On National Aboriginal Day (June 21st), in the spirit and intent of The Covenant of the First People’s of Canada, and The Charter of Forgiveness and Freedom; we will declare our hearts cry, and vision, urge and commission you, as individuals, families, communities and nations to set aside a solemn dedication to restore, renew, rebuild an altar of love, adoration and worship to God all over Canada!
We declare - Canada will return to its first love!
This will be our Great Spiritual Reset!
Together we will bring glory to our Beloved, Yeshua Hamashiach - Jesus is Lord!
Can you imagine? Do you believe it can happen?
Stay focused on God. Stay tuned in the spirit!
by Kenny Blacksmith
Used with permission
We at NHOP cry with the Indigenous People's in Canada over this situation. It is our heart to see reconciliation. We realize that saying these words is not enough. Our prayer is that the church would take the lead in showing extravagant love - that this love would go beyond religious duty. We want to be purposeful - always watching and listening, as Holy Spirit leads us, for opportunity to bring friendship.
Pray for healing through all First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities. This finding has re-opened wounds of abuse. Many are reliving painful memories.
Pray that the church would receive revelation from Holy Spirit of how we can bring His peace and His love.
“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.”
Mark 4:22 (NLT)
All Canadians were shocked and saddened with the news of the 215 children who were found buried in unmarked graves at the residential school in Kamloops B.C. last week. In light of what has happened in Kamloops there are many warranted calls to investigate every former residential school site across our nation.
With these findings, it seems obvious that the Lord is exposing that which has been hidden over this past century, and He will bring every secret to light. As Christians, our hearts are heavy. In this season we want to be ministers of reconciliation - Christ's Ambassadors bringing reformation and restoration.
Some of you were involved in our calls which we hosted about this, and we were also involved in other significant prayer-calls for this tragedy. It has been top of mind in both our corporate and personal prayer times.
We want to underline the importance of continuing to pray for healing as the truth is brought into the light.
Pray for healing of the relatives and communities of these children within the First Nation and Metis communities. (Residential schools were also found in our Arctic regions affecting our Inuit peoples, and I’m sure that further investigations will also be done there).
Pray for co-operation between our government and the Catholic Church, to bring a full disclosure to have a bearing on this.
Pray for a thorough investigation of all former residential schools that any further unmarked graves of children would be found.
Pray for wisdom and grace for the Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.