There were people across the nation praying for the events of October 7, 2008. On that day the Supreme Court of Canada heard argument in Alberta v Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony, potentially a turning point case on the right to freedom of religion for groups. People across the nation were praying that the arguments being presented by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Christian Legal Fellowship would be received with favour by the Supreme Court justices hearing the case. How many prayed on October 8?

It is likely that some stopped praying simply because the request for prayer was targeted toward October 7. Others, because they were unaware that the court will take four to six months to research and write its decision. Still others continue to pray. Now is the time when prayer is most needed. There is no longer a human intermediary between God and the judges. Now is the time when they (and the law clerks performing research on their behalf) must hear Him directly.

A larger group of Canadians engaged in prayer for the events of seven days later, asking for the election of God’s intended government. On October 15 some stopped praying simply because the target date had passed. Some, because their candidate was not elected. Still others, because they had not considered that the act of governing is simply interrupted by election days and changes in composition to the legislature – be it federal, provincial, municipal or the local school board. But after the vote is the time when prayer is most needed. Those who have been elected fulfill the prayerful request for God’s intended government but must be led by Him if they are to provide His intended governance.

In his poem, Morte d’Arthur (“the death of Arthur”), Alfred Lord Tennyson penned these words attributed to the dying king:

More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of … For so the whole round earth is every way bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

It is by prayer that we forge the invaluable chains that bind Earth to God. When it seems least likely that humanity will make the right decision, the prayers of “sainted dear old mothers” or others intervening before God’s throne of grace have caused both change of heart and action.

He said His name is “I am.” Not being “I was” or “I will be” conveys the need for us to pray in the “now” as the “before” has passed and the “to be” has not yet arrived. As we pray in the now, often for things yet to come, let us be mindful that the links in the chains that bind us to God are the very people who are forging the chains and those links are found not just in Canada but in the “whole round earth.”

There are those praying in other nations for the same things we have prayed for in recent weeks.

There are those praying in other nations who are encouraged to know that we are praying with them.

There are also those suffering and dying for the privilege of prayer who ask simply that we join our links to theirs and continue to forge the chains – not of slavery but freedom. Freedom in Christ. Freedom to worship. Freedom to pray.

November 9 is a Sunday when many will pray for those who survived and the families of those who have fallen to provide our freedom in great wars. It is also an opportunity to pray for those who today stand for His freedom despite persecution in the nations where they find themselves. IDOP – the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – is our reminder to pray for and beyond our nation, to the shores of lands where freedom doesn’t reign and proclamation of faith in Christ can cost one’s employment, family or life.

Prayer is the chain that binds us together and to God.

Don Hutchinson is Vice-President, Centre for Faith and Public Life, and General Legal Counsel with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

Used with permission. Copyright © 2008 Christianity.ca.

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