Hopes for Canada

I was inspired by a question asked by 100 Huntley Street this year. In a special broadcast from Ottawa with both the EFC’s president and director of public policy, the 100 Huntley team asked, “What are your hopes for Canada?” 

You can watch the inspiring responses of the EFC’s David Guretzki and Julia Beazley.  

We think this is a great question for all of us to reflect on and to guide our prayers. So, we asked the question more broadly, and these are some of the responses we received, edited for length. We hope you find them life-giving as much as we did.

My hope for Canada is for a unified Body working together to bring the kingdom of God into everyday Canadian society. We have some of the best people, gifted and equipped to make a difference, and my hope is that there will be a national movement of unity to bring it to pass. -Sammy

We pray daily for our nation, Canada, and our hopes and prayers include the following… That all who live in Canada may have the opportunity to come to know Christ as Lord and Saviour and learn to live for and in Him … That we will experience our country promoting life rather than death and giving compassionate care to all who need it, regardless of their age, physical and mental conditions. -Mary 

Jesus is still Lord, and God’s kingdom is where He, through His beloved Son, rules over all – even Canada, even when it might appear He’s on vacation at times! There’s a growing groundswell of Kingdom prayer across Canada, from many streams and traditions, calling on God for unity, spiritual awakening and the advancement of the gospel – ultimately for God’s holy presence.  -Roger 

These are times of great turbulence, uncertainty and unease. Whatever lies ahead for Canada, I hope the Church rises up. Because whatever lies ahead, our calling remains the same: to love God and to love our neighbour; to do justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. May we do that well. In the face of uncertainty and division and tensions, I hope we are humble, gracious, kind, compassionate and loving – including and maybe especially to those with whom we disagree. -Julia 

My hope for Canada is that there be a deep healing in the hearts of those broken, abandoned, stolen from, and made to feel worthless. We all carry something special in us, but many – because of the world’s brokenness and because of experiences – have lost sight of it. I believe healing opens doors to so much: peace, joy, strength, (self) love, kindness…the fruits of the Spirit. And so I pray and hope that God pours a heavy spread of divine medicine to heal the hearts of Canadians. -Karen 

My hope for Canada is that we will continue to be inspired by our motto, "from sea to sea” (Psalm 72:8). This verse has a long history among Canadian politicians and clergy. Canada’s original 1967 name “Dominion of Canada” was drawn from this verse, which celebrates a king who will have dominion “from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.” Eventually, in 1921, “from sea to sea” became Canada’s official motto on its coat of arms. My hope is that Canadians will continue to be workers in the harvest field of Canada, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God in all areas of our lives to those who do not yet know Him.  -Rachel 

As we turn our eyes to the God of hope this summer, we pray that he would fill us with joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we would abound in hope (Romans 15:13).