Bread for the Journey

 

Those of us who are privileged to call Canada home, will be celebrating the 150th birthday of our country this week.  Canada was once officially known as the Dominion of Canada, based on the verse found in Psalm 72:8.  The leaders of that day acknowledged that God had dominion over this great nation 'from sea to sea'  and that motto still appears on our national coat of arms.  Sadly, the reality is that many Canadians today no longer believe in a sovereign God.  But we are all free to worship where we choose and how we choose, and for that I am thankful. We are also free to pray for our country and our leaders, and today I would encourage those of us who are Christ-followers to do just that.

I have had the opportunity to visit each of our ten provinces over the years.  Today I am sharing ten scriptures that we can use as we pray for our country along with a photo taken in each province...'from sea to shining sea'. Though the photos are 'all-Canadian', the scriptures are promises to God's people of every nation. Let's join together and pray for our country.  There is power in prayer!

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, 

and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

 
 Tofino, British Columbia

For kingship belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations.
Psalm 22:28 ESV

 
The Rocky Mts., Alberta

The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

 

Yorkton, Saskatchewan

Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people. 
Proverbs 14:34 ESV

 
Brookdale, Manitoba

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

Ottawa, Ontario

 He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel 2:21 ESV 

Quebec City, Quebec

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick

 
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, 

it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19

 
Fort Amherst ~ St. John's, Newfoundland

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, 

and thanksgivings be made for all people, 

for kings and all who are in high positions,

 that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, 

godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

a people for his own possession, 

that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness 

into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

Confederation Bridge, Prince Edward Island

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 ESV