In the midst of what often feels like a steep moral decline in Canada there is a bright glimmer of hope: thousands of young adults who will gather in the nation’s capital this August 23rd to pray and fast for their generation and nation to turn back to God. It is called TheCRY CANADA and it has only happened twice before in our nation, once in 2002 and again in 2006. More than an event, the organizers of TheCRY describe it as "…a movement of young people, and young in spirit, who are serious about seeing Canada return to her righteous Christian foundations."

The first CRY was spearheaded by Steve Osmond, founder of Tehilla Monday, and a core of other national leaders who were being gripped with increasing concern for the moral and spiritual state of Canada. They believed God was calling them to gather young people on Parliament Hill to begin to cry out to Him for mercy for their land.  However it was not only young people that came to pray but many well known senior leaders from various Christian denominations and expressions as well.  An estimated 10,000 believers migrated to the capital for what many say was a ‘historic’ and ‘turning point’ day for the Church in Canada.

In 2006 TheCRY was passed onto Faytene Kryskow and a group of young adults from Vancouver, BC who after 4 years of dormancy felt called to resurrect the initiative.  Under their leadership, on July 15th, 2006, Christians from all across Canada once again came from across the nation to pray. That year an estimated 12,000 participated in the 2nd CRY both in person and by web-cast. Observers testify to the fruit of prayer efforts, among them an increased voice for biblical values, the growth of Christian organizations such as the MY Canada Association, the National House of Prayer, Canadians for Moral Clarity and other such groups that have added new strength to organizations mobilizing Christians from sea to sea in prayer.

Director Faytene Kryskow describes this saying, “as a movement we believe we are building on a foundation that has been laid by so many who came before us and many who are now labouring shoulder to shoulder with us, it is exciting to watch the hand of God so clearly moving in Canada today…”

This year the organizers of TheCRY are planning on doing five CRYs in five cities over 12 months. The first of these five events happened on March 15th in the Fort Edmonton Park air hangar on Canada's first liscenced air strip.  In the year that will see Canada celebrate the 400th yr anniversary of the coming of Samuel de Champlain to establish Quebec City as a missionary outpost to New France (Canada) it seems fitting that this first CRY would land on the day history recalls that Champlain set out on his first voyage to Canada: March 15th, 1603.

The next, likely the largest of these fie CRYs will occur once again in the nation’s capital on August 23rd.  It is expected that thousands of Christians will come to Ottawa for this day.  In honour of the 400th year anniversary of Quebec City the event will begin on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River in Jacques Cartier Park.

After a time of focused prayer and worship the gathering will march across the Interprovincial (Unity) bridge and descend upon Parliament Hill for another dedicated time of prayer for Canada and worship of Jesus Christ.  It may very well be that the history books will record this as one of the brighter spots in this portion of our Christian national history: a unified, interdenominational and intergenerational expression of prayer for morality and Christian spirituality to return to Canada.  The organizers are hopeful and full of faith that indeed God will answer this CRY of prayer.  To find out more visit www.thecry.ca.

Originally published on the website, 4MYC, July 2008.

Used with permission.  Copyright © 2008 Christianity.ca.

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