National House of Prayer

JUNE PRAYER POINTS

Franklin Graham speaking about Ontario’s new Law

Franklin Graham has called on Christians of Canada to “listen and wake up”. Graham states “this law is not supported by science, scripture, logic, research, experience or common sense. This is totalitarian and oppressive.”

A news agency in Texas reported “Make no mistake, Bill 89 is a grave threat to Christians and all people of faith who have children, or who hope to grow their family through adoption,”

www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=21640

What is Bill 89?

Bill 89 was voted upon in the Ontario Legislative Assembly and passed into law June 1st. This bill replaces the Child and Family Services Act and is titled the Supporting Youth and Families Act, which adds “gender identity” and “gender expression” as factors that parents must consider “in the best interests of the child.”

Many people had called for amendments to Bill 89 to include clear protection of the right of parents to teach their children according to their conscious or religious beliefs which were completely rejected.

Concerns Regarding Totalitarianism

There are real concerns that this new law could usher in an age where we may witness the dismantling of religious liberty and parental rights. Like Franklin Graham, many others are voicing their concerns that this bill introduces a new era of totalitarian power by the state for it refuses to consider the religious faith of the parents, and only acknowledges the child’s own “creed” or “religion.”

It is also believed that this law will give the state more power to seize children from families that oppose an LGBT agenda, and could possibly allow government agencies to ban couples who disagree with the agenda from fostering or adopting children.

Is This a National Issue?

For one, it is a national issue in that we should be concerned when any Canadians are being faced with what could prove to be an oppressive law. Secondly, other provinces need to be concerned that the influence of Bill 89 will seek to gain favour in their region as well. We need Christians across Canada to call out in fervent prayer to see this bill repealed by the liberal government of Ontario.

Another Recent Example of Totalitarianism

In case we would think that Canadian democracy is in no real danger, consider what has been happening in another democracy, Norway.

Children are being removed from homes for spanking; another child is being removed because the mother has a minor form of mental illness; and another child has been removed because it was decided that the father was too old (66 years old).

Source: The Local (Norway’s News in English) Feb. 15, 2017;

BBC News (Magazine) April 14, 2016

Prayers

Pray that Canadian Christians will engage themselves with our changing culture and any ‘troubling trends’ we see surfacing.
Pray that Freedom of Religion will be upheld in our nation as fundamental to all Canadians.
Pray that this freedom will not be trumped by another’s apparent freedom.
Pray that Canadian parents will be protected as the primary educator of their own children.
Pray that public pressure would cause Bill 89 to be rescinded.

(For an excellent pdf resource on this subject see cardus.ca “What Should parents think about Bill 89” and another recent article is “Getting the facts on Ontario’s Bill 89”)

Senate Passes Bill C-16 Defending Transgender Rights

Senate of Canada

Canadian senators have passed a new law, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against transgender Canadians and affords them protection against hate crimes.

Bill C-16 passed third reading in the Senate on Thursday, more than a year after being introduced.

Results of the vote: 67 Voted in favour with 11 opposed and 3 abstentions.

Prayers

Pray that Christians would reach out in love and with the gospel message to the transgender community.
Pray that Christians would align themselves with biblical truth without compromising our faith on this issue. Pray that Canadian Christians would take seriously the call to be salt and light in our changing culture.
Pray for the 11 Senators who stood to oppose this bill. Pray that they would not be discouraged, but rather that they will become strengthened in their continued witness.

Ottawa blogger wins access to abortion data

Ontario Judge has struck down a law that restricts public access to abortion statistics. The law was challenged by Ottawa-based blogger Patricia Maloney and the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA).