Assembly 2022

Saskatchewan Conference of M.B. Churches – March 12, 2022 (Zoom Event)

“We are hard pressed on every side by troubles, be we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but never abandoned by God. We are struck down, but not destroyed.” ~2 Corinthians 4

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Guest Speaker – Ken Esau

Professor, Columbia College

Interim Director, National Faith & Life Team

O Canada, A Prayer for You

“…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ~Jeremiah 29:7

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” ~1 Timothy 2:1-3

Lord God Almighty,
thank you for our country, Canada.
For its oceans, lakes, rivers and streams we praise you.
For its mountains, knolls, prairies and meadows we exalt you.
You created the ancient rain forests of Vancouver Island,
the sea cliffs of Prince Edward Island, and everything in between.
You brought into existence the tundra of the Northwest Territories,
the boreal forests of the Yukon and the fjords of Nunavut.
The glaciers of Ellesmere Island, the Rocky Mountains,
British Columbia’s mighty Fraser River,
and the Mingan Archipelago of Quebec proclaim your wonder.
You show your majesty through the aurora borealis,
your power through the falls of Niagara,
and your steadfastness through the tides of the Bay of Fundy.
We thank you for Canada’s wildlife like the moose, bear, wolf,
beaver, eagle, whale, and salmon.
We praise you for creations like the White Oak, the Black Maple,
the Prairie Crocus, the Western Red Lily, and the Mountain Aven.
The heavens and earth that make-up this magnificent country
declare your glory.
We are mindful of your hand of grace in our history; grace that shaped
the lives of countless first peoples and immigrants.
Remember our First Nations people like the Haida, Iroquois, Cree,
Sioux, Micmac, Dene, and Inuit, all inhabitants of Kanata.
Remember the new Canadians amongst us who have longed for the
peace and prosperity we all know so well.
O God, before Mount Logan was born from the depths or
Lake Huron sprung into being from the deep,
from everlasting to everlasting you are sovereign.
Before our first peoples set foot on this vast expanse,
before the first explorers charted its boundaries or
before the first words of confederation were conceived,
you walked the length and breadth of this creation.
You are Canada’s Maker and Master.

Lord, may we as Canadians be good neighbors to our fellow citizens
as well as to our fellow nations.
Embolden us to care for our poor, marginalized and sick,
instill in us a compassion for all the hurting in our nation.
Remind us to be merciful when embattled as a dominion,
generous with our resources and wealth.
May we honor the letter and spirit of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms
but ultimately obey your Word.
As citizens may we respect the rights of others enshrined in our laws
but never forsake your statutes and precepts.
O God, save our noble queen, may she our freedoms guard,
long may she reign.
O God, bless our elected leaders,
our mayors, premiers, and prime minister.
We bring before you our village, town and city councils,
our Members of the Legislative Assembly and
our Members of Parliament.
Grant them wisdom and discernment.
move them to do what is right and good.
Inspire our leaders to integrity, purity of heart,
and a passion for justice and peacemaking.
Heavenly Father, we believe you love Canada and have a plan for its future.
Guard our hearts, guide our steps: shepherd our generation
and those that follow into all righteousness.
O Canada, worship the Lord, praise him all Canadians.
For great is his love, and faithfulness toward us. Amen.

Rev. Philip A. Gunther