by Richard Long,

There is a new CD that I want to highly recommend to you.  It’s the long-awaited album from our good friend Peter Tigchelaar titled – “Gracious Window”.  It’ s not only a highly musical CD, but you will be inspired by the lyrics that come from his poetic heart.  Terry and I often refer to our dear friend as the “Minstrel of Hamilton.”  We want to share him with the rest of you!

Here’s the lyrics from the title song below.  I love that it is a song about prayer.

“But I can see more from on my knees”

You can go to his website and hear 3 sample songs which I am sure will convince you to buy some CD’s for people on your Christmas list.

Go to www.petertigchelaar.com  You can even watch him live on video doing his classical minstrel stuff.

Gracious Window

It’s another gracious window

opening out of a broken down day

and here’s yet another faithful stairway

bringing down songs to light the way

I don’t know how long it’s going to be open

and I can’t see the end of the galaxies

pouring through this gracious window

but I can see more from on my knees.

It’s a big house with many mansions

it’s such a big house, ‘cause it’s the universe

Such risky grace taking so many chances

to rescue each one from the ancient curse

I don’t know how long it’s going to be open

so now is your chance,  this is the day

to climb on in this gracious window

come on in – it’s the universe!

I don’t know how long it’s going to be open

I can’t see the end of the galaxies

pouring through this gracious window          

cascading down this faithful stairway

but I can see more from on my knees.

 words & music by Peter Tigchelaar

 Listen to Gracious Window here.

A Prayer written by Peter Marshall (passed on from Jim and Marie Watt)

LIBERATION FROM MATERIALISM

Forbid it, Lord,

that our roots become too firmly attached to this earth,

that we should fall in love with things.

Help us to understand that the pilgrimage of this life

is but an introduction,

a preface, a training school for what is to come.

Then shall we see all of life in its true perspective.

Then shall we not fall in love with the things of time,

but come to love the things that endure.

Then shall we be saved from the tyranny of possessions

which we have no leisure to enjoy,

of property whose care becomes a burden.

Give us, we pray, the courage to simplify our lives.

So may we be mature in our faith,

childlike but never childish,

humble but never cringing,

understanding but never conceited.

So help us, O God, to live and not merely to exist,

that we may have joy in our work,

In Thy name, who alone can give us moderation and balance and zest for living,

we pray. Amen

by Richard Long,

  We took our Nazarites on a tour of the Supreme Court this week.  It gives us a chance to pray in the building and get a sense of what is currently happening.

  We learned that on Friday (today) that a very important case would be heard.  You may have read about this in the news.  The young prisoner of war, Omar Khadr, is having his repatriation status discussed at the highest level.

  This gives us lots to pray about.  We prayed onsite for him that despite the years of sitting in Guantanamo Bay, that the Lord would redeem the years of his life.  For some, this is a case of pure and simple of a “child-soldier”.  For others it is about terrorism.  Both are issues that need our intercession.

  Another key issue is the relationship between our top court and the current government of the day.  Can the courts intervene in foreign policy and force an elected government to do what they deem constituitional?  We need to pray for that concern.

  All of this might become a moot point, because the American government has finally announced today that he will be tried along with some others in their court system.  That will need our prayers too.

by Richard Long,

  We were so blessed yesterday!  The Lord allowed our team to set up right across from the arrival area at the red carpet at the National War Momument.  This is ground zero when it comes to the centre of the action.  In the picture, which was taken by one of our Nazarites – Bill Mintram, you see Prince Charles getting ready to get out of his limo and the Governor General Michaelle Jean with her consort and her daughter, getting ready to welcome the royal party.

Both the Prince and the GG were in their matching military uniforms.  She looked very tiny beside him. 

A few minutes earlier we had seen the Prime Minister and his family pull up in their limo.

For me it is always the Scottish regiments that touch me deeply.  My grandfather fought and was wounded in WW1 as a member of the Scottish infantry.  I used to watch him march in the Veteran’s Day parade in Toronto and was very proud of the sacrifice he was willing to make for our freedom.

No question, there was something deep going on yesterday.  People watching on TV at home, or those of us who got to be right in the middle of things; we all felt a “sacredness” to the ceremony.  I loved that Amazing Grace was played on a soliltary bagpipe at one point, and at another point the Chaplain-General prayed a wonderful prayer in the name of Jesus.

by Terry Long

     Most people only read the touching poem from World War 1 titled “In Flanders Fields” just on Remembrance Day.  I have the opportunity to read it almost every week, as this famous poem is etched on the wall inside the War Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill.  The picture above shows the etching on the left wall if you look carefully.   We at the National House of Prayer take prayer teams inside this room to pray almost on a weekly basis.  Even though I have read it many times it still touches me deeply.  We are posting it here today and we invite you to read it and ponder these timeless, sobering and selfless words again and to give thanks for those who were and are being martyred for our freedom. 

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by Richard Long,

Here’s a great report from a bunch of folks in Halifax who are taking prayer to the people.

From 24-7 Prayer Canada

Church amongst the People

  Jesus got downright venomous with religious leaders who put obstacles between people and God.  I believe that He would be cheering on loudest those who make a point of connecting people on the outside with Him. 

 “What are you doing out here?”

 Late Saturday nights in Halifax, Nova Scotia now sits a corporate type tent in the middle of the city’s public square with a few beach chairs, some lights and a sign that says “How can we pray for you?”  The time and place are strategic as the city is well known for abundant night life, with partiers starting at the bottom of the hill, on the harbour, working their way up the hill, from bar to bar, as the evening progresses.  Parade Square sits in the middle of the progression, within earshot of one of the most notorious of the bars.  It is nicknamed the Liquordome.  No kidding.

 My house shall be called a house of prayer

 There at the tent are a team of volunteers.  Not a big team, mind you,…  … but a handful of volunteers ready and willing to pray for matters trivial and weighty.  Each prayer made at the request of a passerby includes not only the matter at hand, but also a petition that God would reveal Himself to the person in their life and through the situation.  Their act of requesting prayer taken and offered as an invitation for God to work in their life.

 Read the rest of the report …

by Richard Long

There is a story that Anthony de Mello S.J. gives in his One Minute Wisdom teachings about a certain Abbot who, while being gracious to all his disciples could not conceal his preference for those who lived “in the world” – the married, the merchants, the farmers – over those who lived in the monastery.  When he was confronted about this he said, “Spirituality practiced in the state of activity is incomparably superior to that practiced in the state of withdrawal.”

I find this encouraging, because as we seek to “pray without ceasing” it is clear we need to learn to do that in the regular work-a-day world that most of us inhabit.

by Richard Long,

  This YouTube comes courtesy of Alpha Canada resources.

by Richard Long,

  As much as possible we like to get some team pictures from week to week. 

  What is remarkable about this pic is what you can observe.  For example you will see 3 generations of people from actually 3 different congregations.   Notice that there are actually more guys then gals on this prayer team.  That’s unusual!

Also you can see our directors – Rob and Fran Parker in the bottom right hand corner.  And this picture celebrates a great night at NHOP because the team from Vernon hosted their M.P and his wife for dinner and then an evening session.  That’s M.P. Colin Mayes (the tall guy in the back) and his wife Jackie standing in front of him on his right hand side.

  By the way if you have been to NHOP and we don’t have a pic of your team, please send one!

by Richard Long,

  Thirteen months ago we were all engaged in praying about 308 electoral races as we faced a general election.  No less important are 4 ridings which will be making a decision via the ballot box this coming Monday.  Let us pray for God’s will to be done in each of these key regions.

New Westminister-Coquitlam in the outskirts of Vancouver

Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley in Nova Scotia

Montmagnyl’Islet-Kamouraska-Riviere-du-Loup on the south east shore of the St. Lawrence in Quebec

Hochelaga a riding in the centre of Montreal, Quebec

If you would like to read an article about how the races are shaping up we suggest checking out the analysis of L. Ian McDonald in the National Post today – titled Highstakes Byelections.