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 RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS GOOD NEWS
Millions of Christians all across
Canada celebrated today that Christ is risen from the dead, is
seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High as the perfect
Intercessor, and will appear a second time, not to deal with sin
but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him. He has asked
the Father for the Nations, including the Middle East! This has got to be the best news ever!
IRAQ ETC - THE CHALLENGE FOR THE INTERCESSOR!
As a patriot there is a natural tendency to support
our own nation and it's allies in a time of conflict especially
where young North American lives are at risk. But for the
intercessor, demanding results from the Almighty, there has to
be another natural tendency - to hear what the Holy Spirit is
saying to the Church and to the Nations. It is easy to react with
a snapshot opinion of a situation but a time of listening prayer
and careful Bible study are essential to find out what is really
happening. In a fallen world we cannot assume that our political
leaders are automatically serving the interests of the
Kingdom of God. To discern the unshakeable Kingdom we must know
that we are part of a new holy nation that has a higher calling on
our lives: see 1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation (ethnos), His own special people, that you may proclaim
the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light ..."
So how do we pray? First of all we pray according to 1 Timothy
2:1-4 :- for all in authority in the Nations, for wisdom and
mercy on national leaders in their decision making, but supremely
for the spread of the Gospel. To pray for the Body of Christ in
these Muslim countries, for their preservation and multiplication.
Pray through Isaiah 19:16-25 where
Assyria (Iraq and Syria) are described as the 'work of God's
hands', with the promise of Israel, Egypt and Assyria worshiping
together. But above all pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the
conversion of the Jewish people! For me the Holy Spirit is
highlighting the book of Zechariah. In the day of the Lord (Zech
14:1-2), Jerusalem is the last days' focus of the Nations. I pray
for mercy on any leader, (or Quartet), who decides to plan the
future of Jerusalem without reference to the Almighty (Zech
12:2-3). This is the Biblical challenge for the Nations and calls
us higher above politics and posturing to seek God for mercy on Canada
and America.
DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE
The critical issue of the definition of marriage continues to
make its way through the parliamentary process and across the
country. The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights has
recently been in
Vancouver, Edmonton, Moose Jaw, Steinbach,
Halifax, Sussex, Sudbury and Toronto. They resume soon in Rimouski
and Montreal in Quebec, April 28-29, and conclude in Iqaluit,
Nunavut, on April 30th. They are researching the views of
Canadians regarding changes to the definition of marriage
including the recognition of same-sex couples. An excellent
defense of the traditional view of marriage was presented in
Vancouver by the Rev Ed Hird of St. Simon's Anglican. Ed can be
contacted at
Ed_Hird@telus.net for a copy of his presentation. It seems
incredible that we should even have to think about praying for the
definition of marriage, but pray we must! Pray for the Standing
Committee in Quebec
and Nunavut and for those who will make godly representation.
S.A.R.S. - SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME
This has become very serious as the 14th person in
Canada died yesterday as a result of SARS. Toronto is especially
hard hit with distress, precautions and significant economic
effects. St. Michael's Cathedral even announced that "Until the
SARS outbreak is over, confessions will not be held in the
confessionals". Here is a breakdown across the nation:
Ontario:
128 probable and 123 suspect cases.
British Columbia:
4 probable and 39 suspect.
Alberta:
5 suspect.
Prince Edward Island:
4 suspect.
New Brunswick:
2 suspect.
Saskatchewan:
1 suspect
David Demian summed up our necessary response very clearly in the
Watchmen Update for March 31st:
"I also feel an urgency in my spirit that we as the church
of Canada must come in humility to the Lord at this time about the
crisis in Ontario. According to the current news reports, Ontario
has the highest number of SARS cases of anywhere in the world
outside of Asia. Let us cry out for mercy for Ontario even as we
are crying out with Hong Kong.
Let us ask the Lord to give wisdom to the Ontario health
officials, to comfort those who have have lost loved ones and to
give His peace to the anxious hearts of the thousands of men,
women and children that are now in self-imposed quarantine. And
let us pray that in this time of need our nation may come to a
deeper realization than ever that our only hope and our only
safety lie in Him".
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