My Prayer for the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Our Mississauga Centre MP, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, called me one day recently to ask about how we are doing as a church. We talked for over an hour. He is genuinely interested in the well-being of the citizens in his local riding. We’ve had several talks during which it was evident that he is a good man, serving all Canadians with unbiased concern. We have different perspectives on various matters, but we act like adults about it. I secretly long to see the kind of relationship that he and I share in our local, provincial and national dialogue. But that’s not the point of my blog today.
I was blessed to be able to tell him that our church family has stepped up to support their church during the pandemic. I’ve never been more thankful for my church family as I am right now. The pandemic has been teaching me many good lessons. I’ve never been more convinced of the vital role the church plays in the world. I’ve never been so sure of the crucial place that the church plays in the life of the Christian. I’ve never been more encouraged by the place that every Christian plays in the life of the Church.
I also promised Omar that I am praying for him. And I mean it. One of my daily seasons of prayer is to intercede for the world around me. It seems quite basic to me that I share a planet with others who hold different views from me. So, in the words of the New Testament, “as much as it lies in your power, get along with others.” That is God’s design according to the Christian worldview. He created the diversity of the world for us to enjoy, to share and to protect.
And one of the ways that we are to engage the world around us is in praying “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 2:2). I sometimes pray for whole countries. But most often I pray for publicly elected officials in my city, my province and my country. I do so as a matter of obedience but also with pleasure. I want my world to be a better place. I want peace and prosperity for my fellow citizens. And the Bible teaches that my best vote is cast in prayer.
What do you think I should pray? That they would lose? I don’t think so. It seems fitting to me that I pray for the reason(s) that the Bible details. I pray that they will have a mind and heart to serve and protect the people whom they represent. I also pray that they will be safe and sound as they do so. The result of praying for our elected officials is that we reap the benefit of living a “quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way.” Why not send your elected officials a note that you are praying for them during this difficult time? Assure them that you are praying for their well-being and for the good of our region.
It’s astounding to me that when Paul wrote those words in the first century, he himself was a prisoner of the oppressive and cruel Roman government. He was ultimately killed by the Roman government. This commandment to pray for “all who are in high positions” has always been the guiding principle of my personal, political views. RESPECT those who rule over me, however benevolent or malevolent.
Let me leave you with a striking passage to consider in these politically raucous times, written by the Apostle Peter himself: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.” (1Peter 2:13-17)
Here’s a simple formula to add to the peace and dignity of your daily life: Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor!
Praying with you and for you church family
Pastor Deric
Screensavers!
Most people know what a screensaver is meant to do on a computer screen. A screensaver displays default images at pre-set intervals when a computer is “resting.” It’s a security feature so that when the owner of a computer steps away a default image replaces your focused work screen.
Your mind has a screensaver too. Your brain displays basic images that have been installed in the mind over the course of your life, especially the thoughts and emotions that were imprinted on your brain during early childhood. I would call your brain’s screensaver the mind-set or attitude that displays the images of how you view yourself. It has great influence over how you live your life. Just like your computer screensaver, you can change the images that are stored in your brain, or more precisely you can re-write their ongoing effect in your daily life. One of my favourite screensavers during the pandemic is one of my grandson Henry. I love it because it’s one of my grandkids (no surprise there!). I love it because it makes me laugh every time I see it. I love it because it resets the screensaver of my mind. It reminds me to change the “images” I’m looking at all day. It says, “don’t forget to take time to laugh.” Silliness is a little boy’s superpower.
We all have to change the screensaver in our brain, or the pressure of the pandemic will wear us out. In our latest elders meeting Ric exhorted us to practice a mind “reset” regularly or the negative rhetoric all around us will get us down. His reflection was based on Lamentations Chapter 3. Jeremiah has been expressing his emotional and spiritual distress until he comes to verse 21 where he says, “but this I call to mind.” That is Jeremiah’s way of saying that he changed the screensaver of his mind. He deliberately changed his outlook and mindset which altered his attitude. And the image he captures is a deeply loved passage of Scripture.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: His mercies never come to an end:
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, therefore, I will hope in Him.”
Make these words the default screensaver in your mind and you will find yourself filled with hope and strength from the Lord. Call these words to mind every day and you will soon find yourself rising above all the chaos in our world.
Praying with you and for you church family,
Pastor Deric
