by Richard Long,
Numerous people have asked us how they should pray about the recent decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prorogue Parliament until after the Winter Olympics.
First of all, one should take with a few grains of salt all that is said in the media about this. Prorogation is a regular occurence in parliamentary systems around the world and happens every 12 -18 months on average. It allows the government to reset the agenda, by having a new throne speech, and hopefully creating a new tone.
The downside is that all government bills that have not been passed into law are deceased. Normally they are reintroduced, perhaps with some small changes, or if they are meant to be quickly brought back to their previous status, they are introduced in the exact same form. Opposition parties will negotiate which old bills they will fast track in the new session.
The good news is that private members bills are unaffected by a prorogation. So for example, M.P. Joy Smith’s bill on Human Trafficking that is currently in the Senate will continue on once the new session starts back up again.
My sense about the big reason that Parliament has been prorogued, and thus delayed for a month, is not really about the Olympics or the Afghan detainee issue. The real sea change that will come to Parliament Hill in a few more days, is the appointment of 5 new senators by P.M. Harper. This is the real “game changer” because for the first time in many years the Conservatives will have a majority in the Senate and thus begin to do some major reforms of the Senate. They will also be able to pass their bills more easily.
So … let’s be praying for wisdom in the appointment of those 5 new senators!
If you want to know more about the technicalities of prorogation you can go to the official parliamentary website.
By the way, we are still welcoming prayer teams to come to the National House of Prayer throughout January and February. Our Government still needs prayer!






