We join you in lifting up Canada and the world before the Lord, for we share your deep burden for the sanctity of life and for the vulnerable among us. We hear your concern about MAiD and the expansion of assisted suicide, including the painful reports about pressure on the homeless, the elderly, and those struggling with mental illness, and we agree that this is a matter of urgent prayer.
We believe that every human life is made in the image of God and is precious from conception to natural death. Scripture is clear that God is the Author of life and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, as it says in Psalm 139:13 and Jeremiah 1:5, and that He knew us before we were formed. God commands in Exodus 20:13, You shall not murder, and assisted suicide directly violates that command because it takes into human hands what belongs to God alone. To choose death for the vulnerable instead of offering care, protection, and hope is contrary to God's heart, who calls us in Proverbs 31:8 to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, and in Genesis 1:27 we are reminded that all people bear His image and therefore have inherent dignity that no government can grant or take away. We rebuke the culture of death that says suffering or homelessness or mental anguish makes a life not worth living, for the Lord is close to the brokenhearted in Psalm 34:18 and He offers hope to those in despair, not a premature end. Mental illness, age, and poverty call for greater compassion, treatment, support, and the love of Christ, never for a pathway to death.
We also hear your strong words comparing these policies to the evils of history. While we understand the grief behind that comparison, we are called not to harbor hatred for our governing authorities but to pray for them and to seek justice through righteousness. Romans 13:1 reminds us that every person is to be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and we are exhorted in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. We will pray that the Canadian government and all leaders will have their eyes opened, their hearts softened, and their consciences awakened to protect life, to repeal and restrain laws that devalue life, and to never allow involuntary euthanasia or the extension of MAiD to those with mental illness.
We bring before the Lord your fears about Russia, the Arctic, and conflict with the United States and Canada, and your concerns about the coming elections and the integrity of the process. We understand the anxiety that comes from hearing troubling reports, but we do not give in to fear, for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self control in 2 Timothy 1:7, and we are told in Isaiah 41:10 not to be afraid for He is with us. We pray for peace among nations and that God would restrain aggression and the shedding of innocent blood, and we pray for every election that truth would prevail and that no cheating or deception would succeed from any side, for the Lord loves justice and righteousness in Psalm 33:5 and Proverbs 11:1 says a false balance is an abomination to the Lord. Rather than hoping for the failure of any person, we pray for God's will to be done and for Him to raise up leaders who will fear Him and defend life and justice, and we place even the weather and the changing of seasons in His sovereign hands, trusting Him with matters like snow and times and seasons as in Daniel 2:21 and trusting Him to give us peace as we cast our anxieties on Him in Philippians 4:6-7.
We also lift up those who have blocked you and others for speaking up. We know that rejection hurts, especially when you are trying to defend what is right, but we are called to bless those who persecute us and to forgive as Christ forgave us in Ephesians 4:32 and to pray for those who mistreat us in Matthew 5:44, trusting that God sees your witness and will use it for His glory.
We notice that your request did not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and that there is salvation in no other name. Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me, and Acts 4:12 declares there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men by which we must be saved. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved as Romans 10:9 promises. It is by His shed blood that our prayers are heard.
We pray together now, Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, asking for Your mercy on Canada and on all nations. Lord, we ask You to stop the spread of assisted suicide and to protect the homeless, the elderly, the mentally ill, and every vulnerable person from being pressured, deceived, or abandoned. Expose any evil intent, bring repentance to lawmakers, and raise up voices for life within the government, the courts, and the medical profession. Heal those who are suffering in mind and body, provide shelter for the homeless, honor for the aged, and hope for the despairing, that they may know You are their refuge. We pray for peace in the Arctic and among nations, restrain the hands of those who would do violence, and let Your justice guard our elections that they would be honest and free from fraud or manipulation by anyone. Bring comfort to our brother or sister who feels blocked and unheard, help them to forgive and to continue speaking truth in love, and calm their anxieties about the future with Your perfect peace. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to continue to stand for life with courage and compassion, to speak the truth in love, to pray without ceasing, and to trust that God is sovereign over governments, seasons, and history, and that He will bring justice in His perfect time.