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And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
I John 5: 14 ESV
Welcome to our June 2009 1st Friday Call to Prayer. Our aim is to provide you with teaching that we trust will enhance your prayer experience and will be an encouragement to you. We will also provide you with praise items and prayer requests coming from within ANiC and the Anglican Communion worldwide.
We encourage you to set aside the first Friday, June 5th, as a day of prayer and fasting for the Church in these critical days, ideally gathering with other believers in your parish or region for corporate prayer at some point in the day.
Prayer Quotes
I am deeply convinced that the necessity to pray, and to pray unceasingly, is not so much based on our desire for God as on God’s desire for us. It is God’s passionate pursuit of us that calls us to prayer. Henri Nouwen
“Thy will be done”
As I write this article, the trial in Vancouver between four ANiC Parishes and the ACoC Diocese of New Westminster has concluded its first full week. The result of this highly significant court case will determine who the proper beneficiaries are of the trust over the church property of these four parishes. It is the first time since the formation of ANiC that the actual ownership of the church buildings has been considered in a courtroom. All the other legal proceedings thus far have been over the temporary usage of church facilities. This one brings all the fundamental issues to light, and the results, although not expected for some time, will have enormous implications for all current and future ANiC parishes.
We are asking ANiC members, members of ANiC parishes, church plants and projects, and praying friends of ANiC to make this trial a highly important matter for prayer. The ANiC offices in Burlington, ON have been opened Monday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT, for any wishing to gather with others to intercede. Many parishes across the country have had special prayer services, upholding the ANiC bishops, clergy and laity who have been summoned to take the stand. Prayer is being mobilized for this strategic moment in time.
As I consider all this, I find myself asking the question, “How are we praying about the trial?” Perhaps we are believing God for vindication – a total victory for the ANiC parishes that will create a significant judicial precedent for all the other churches across Canada. Some may be asking the Lord for the clear exposure before the court of the deceit and ill will that has been targeted at ANiC. Others may be praying that, whatever may be the ruling of Justice Kelleher, the Lord will deliver us from the huge financial burden that legal proceedings inevitably incur.
Then there may be some of us who are simply crying out from the depths of our hearts, “Thy will be done, Lord!” Is that a cop-out? Whenever there are major prayer issues before us, is it a lack of faith to take this position?
One of the saddest moments in my pastoral experience came after a man in his early fifties died of pancreatic cancer. I received a phone call from a member of our fellowship who was utterly adamant that, if we had had more faith in God’s healing power, our brother would not have died. Too many of us, apparently, had not been aggressive enough with God in prayer. We’d acquiesced to God’s will to only heal “if He felt like it”, and it was our fault that this man had died. As senior pastor, that meant that the responsibility was mine – it was my fault.
Whereas I did not buy into this man’s theology, the experience gave me cause to examine the efficacy of the frequent phrase in our prayers, “if it be Thy will”. Is it merely a religious or fatalistic way of saying, “Whatever”? Is it a faithless loophole so that if God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way that we desire, we can justify it by saying, “Well, I guess it just wasn’t God’s will”? Perhaps it can be both of these. Perhaps…
But I believe that it can also be the heartfelt expression of the true submitting of our will to the sovereign will of God. Surely there is no doubt that this was the attitude in the heart of Jesus in Gethsemane as he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt. 26:39 ESV. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, we know that one of the key statements that he taught them was, “Thy will be done”. Try to imagine the number of times that the Lord’s Prayer, including that phrase, has been prayed around the world in the last week, the last month, or indeed, the last two thousand years! It is staggering! Billions upon billions of times the Church has prayed, “Father, may Your will be accomplished”.
In these days of high importance to our orthodox movement, I find myself, more and more, praying simply that it would be God’s will, and His alone, that will be done. God knows that we would be delighted to receive a favourable judgment in Vancouver, but not if it’s not in His greater purpose for us. I am praying that His will might be done in the life of Justice Kelleher, Bishop Ingham, and in the lives of the clergy and people of the four ANiC parishes. I’m praying that the will of God be done in and through our legal team and our beloved bishops and national leaders; and I’m praying that the ministries of our churches across the land will bring thousands of new believers into the Kingdom. That activity we know is His will!
Perhaps it’s akin to the experience of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they stood before a furious King Nebuchadnezzar who was intent on throwing them into the blazing furnace. Daniel 3 records their words of both faith and acquiescence as they declared, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us. But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods!”
Assuredly, we can pray that, if it is His will, the Lord will allow us to win the court cases and take permanent possession of our church buildings. But our attitude must be that, “even if He does not”, we will continue to serve Him with great joy in our hearts and songs of praise on our lips – knowing that He has a higher purpose in mind and a greater good in store.
“Truly, Father, it is in Your will, and Yours alone, that we are safe, at peace, and fruitful for the Kingdom. Amen”
Garth V. Hunt
Praise God …
That He is in control, working everything together for our good and the building of His Kingdom.
That He loves us passionately and allows nothing that will not serve our ultimate good.
That we have an advocate with the Father, Christ Jesus.
That He hears and responds to our cries and prayers, when we pray in submission to His will – and answers in His way and in His time.
For faithful Anglican bishops, clergy and laity who are taking a stand for the truth of God’s Word in the Anglican Church in North America and within the Anglican Church of Canada – even when their stand for Christ and His Word makes them targets for attack.
For the courage of global orthodox Primates who are working together to care for faithful Anglicans in North America – and in other Provinces that have wandered from the Truth.
For the reformation God is working out in global Anglicanism. In the midst of chaos, He is building His Kingdom and refining His bride, the Church.
For God’s blessing on ANiC and for all He has planned for the future.
For the congregations of faithful Anglicans He is adding to our number.
For the growing unity of orthodox Anglicans in the Communion.
Please pray…
That we will learn to desire God – and His will – above everything.
That we would fall deeper in love with Jesus, growing more like our Saviour each day.
That we would see our own brokenness and desperate need of His saving love.
That we would respond to his passionate love for us, loving Him with our very being.
That we see as Jesus saw, love as He loved, serve as He served, and die to ourselves as He died to Himself.
For Bishops Donald Harvey, Malcolm Harding and Ronald Ferris, and their families. Pray for spiritual and physical protection and for a daily closer walk with God.
For those suffering under the attack of the enemy, especially spouses of clergy and leaders. Pray for victory in Christ and physical healing, if that is God’s will.
For new ANiC congregations as they get organized and take care of all the many practical details – and for other congregations considering joining ANiC.
For congregations that have lost their places of worship as well as for those forced to appeal to the courts and facing the possible loss of their buildings. May they demonstrate love to those who persecute them.
For the court proceedings under way, for ANiC’s legal team, for the judges hearing the cases, for parish wardens, trustees and clergy who have put so much on the line, and for generous donations to ANiC’s legal defense fund so ANiC’s legal team can continue to provide support to threatened parishes as well as set a legal precedent for congregations considering their future affiliation.
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For the three-week court case currently under way in Vancouver involving four ANiC parishes. |
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For the case involving St Aidan’s in Windsor, ON. |
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For the St George’s (Lowville), Good Shepherd (St Catharines) and St Hilda’s (Oakville) in their dispute with the Diocese of Niagara. |
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For a change of heart on the part of the dioceses pursuing ANiC parishes. May they relent and work with parishes to reach amicable settlements. |
For those who feel called to remain in the Anglican Church of Canada to pray and work for reformation – for a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ and His inspired Word.
For the recovery of a lively orthodoxy in the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC).
For Biblically-faithful Anglicans in Canada who feel isolated in liberal churches and dioceses as well as for those who feel they can no longer remain in the Anglican Church of Canada. May they find Christian fellowship and spiritual nourishment.
For the leaders of Anglican Essentials Federation, Anglican Essentials Network and Anglican Essentials Canada as they provide support for orthodox Anglicans in the ACoC.
For Archbishop Gregory Venables (and his wife, Sylvia) who has graciously provided a temporary “home” for ANiC members who no longer have a home in the Anglican Church of Canada due to “serious theological disputes”.
For the emerging Province, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
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For our partners in ACNA who are uniting to build an orthodox, biblically-faithful Anglican Province – especially our Canadian partners, the Anglican Coalition in Canada and the Reformed Episcopal Church. |
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For Archbishop-designate, Bob Duncan, for the Lead Bishops and for all those involved in bringing this new Province to fruition. |
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For the inaugural Provincial Assembly – and installation of Bishop Duncan – set for June 22-25 in Bedford, Texas. |
For the orthodox Primates – including the GAFCon Primates – and bishops who are taking a stand for truth at great personal cost. Pray for spiritual and physical protection and for discernment, grace and strength as they lead in a torn Communion.
For the Covenant process. May the Lord clearly lead and may His will be done.
For the Archbishop of Canterbury. May he pursue God wholeheartedly and seek the guidance and discernment he needs to fulfill his responsibilities to the glory of God.
For suffering Christians around the world in conditions of persecution, war and poverty.
For those in authority over us in government; for judges in our court system; for officers of the law; for those who serve our country in the military. Pray for wise decisions that honour the Lord and promote the welfare of the citizens.
That God would revive us, our church and, ultimately, our nation.
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