The following is presented in bullet form to make it easier to grasp. I trust it does not appear too disjointed.
- Greg Anderson, Pastor of Riverdale Baptist Church in Whitehorse, was our Bible Study leader at Banff this year. He exhorted us to pray for the new government that had been elected, and also encouraged us to remember all those in elected public service and office. For some that is an easy command to respond to positively; for others not so much. May I remind you of something a friend recalled recently: when the 2008 Republican Presidential nominee John McCain, in his speech that acknowledged his defeat, praised the new President Elect Barrack Obama, there was booing from the crowd. He admonished them not to do so saying, “President Obama is my President.” And so this is true for all who ran and were elected or defeated in the Canadian Federal Election. As Rex Murphy on a CBC editorial commented, “Successful and peaceful transfers of elected power are accomplished in part because of what we mark every November 11th on Remembrance Day.”
- Please pray with thanksgiving for those who have served in our Armed Forces, both in peace time and in conflict; for those who paid with their lives and those who were injured. Please pray for their families. Also pray for all victims of war, for there are many.
When I think of national celebrations I also think of and give thanks for our Head of State/Governor General Daniel Johnson. I thank him for his service to our country, his personal warmth, and his sincere Christian faith. - Please pray for Rod Olson who leads our refugee initiative. Rod tells me that we have 41 CBWC churches that have expressed interest and over 9 churches from outside our denomination with whom we are working. Pray that Rod is protected from the overwhelming nature of this need; that he might pace himself, be strengthened, and that he might be encouraged.
- Please pray for Sam Breakey and his colleagues as they visit churches to be involved in their renewal and health. May more and more churches recognize the need for this ministry in their communal lives. Might Sam and colleagues have real wisdom as they respond to churches who have agreed to enter this process. The encouraging news is that more and more churches are willing to do so.
- Thanksgiving for the Banff Pastors and Spouses Conference: the largest number of folk for many years and a time of personal growth, reflection, and building of community. God is good in so many ways.
- I pray for this time and season in the life of our camps where, having just recovered from summer, people are about to launch into planning for next year. May refreshment and recovery be truly meaningful from the previous summer. May there be vision, industry, excitement, and God’s imagination throughout all of next year’s plans.
- As we approach the Advent season, the beginning of the Christian year and the birth of Christ, may we this year see it as a wonderful challenge and encouragement to celebrate the community God has called us to but also see it as an opportunity for service in unique and sacrificial ways. Might we also see it as an opportunity in two other ways: first, might we see the Advent and Christmas season as a gift to be able to pray faithfully for our friends, colleagues, neighbours, and acquaintances that they might see, meet, and have relationship with the Lord Jesus this year, maybe for the first time, maybe anew; second, might we be open to give and receive the hospitality of ourselves, our church communities, and our Christ in new, surprising and exciting ways this year.
Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Warmly,
In Christ
Jeremy