This is an interview with Natalie who was at the National House of Prayer and the experiences she encountered while in Ottawa.

Share on Facebook

1. Health:
I seem to be battling a lot of illness. I had the flu for a bit and now I feel the onset of a chest cold.  Not good!  I feel like there have been a lot of doors opening for me on the Hill, so this may be some attack or possibly just nature.  Whatever it is, I would appreciate prayer for health and strength to continue to minister.

2. Teams:
Pray that we will be able to unify with visiting prayer teams.  There is a new team almost every week from all over the country and it certainly changes the dynamics in the house.  Pray that we can work with them and minister to them while they’re here.  Specifically pray for the Josiah Team that is arriving on Sunday.  This is a group of young adults who come with an organization called My Canada – basically working to involve young people in government through prayer and social action.  While they aren’t actually starying at the house, I believe we will have a lot of involvement with them which may be rather taxing since we also have a prayer team from Toronto here this week, but also may open many exciting doors.

3. Rest:
Pray that we will all find times to rest in the Lord.  When a house is full of 30+ people it can be hard to find a quiet place to rest and be in the presence of God.  Pray that we will guard our personal times with God and will treasure how he speaks to us in those times.

Natalie M.

Share on Facebook

Pray for FAMILY
That includes SO many angles, which is why I figure it takes the part of three requests.

1.) We need to pray into the families of Parliamentarians.  Their families face so many issues and pressures.  There is so much separation which can create difficulties in connecting as a family.  Because spouses are gone so much, those with young families have particulary huge struggles.  Can you imagine having 5 children from 2-12 years old and only having your husband home for Saturday and Sunday each week?  That’s what the MP I’m volunteering for has to deal with!  There is a 70% divorce rate for MP’s.  That’s crazy!  The Conservative Spousal Association are both huge ministries that help to reach out to the spouses of MP’s – so be praying that God will use them to lift up and encourage these spouses.  Pray for united families!!

2.) We also need to pray for families in general.  I find it interesting that in many of the issues I see on the Hill, the root problem is the decline of the family.  Pray that families would be healed and united again.  Pray that legislation would support families.  Pray that the family would be valued and respected as the institution God intended it to be.

3.) Pray for the families in our church.  There are many hurting and broken families in  our church that need God’s healing – pray for them. Pray that the families of our church would be strong, and centered on Christ so they can reach out to other families around them.

That may seem huge, but I really think its up to the church to be praying for families.  They are precious to God and many are really hurting right now.

Natalie

Share on Facebook

I was sitting in Question Period today and these just stuck with me!  Here are my top requests:

1.) Environment Policy:
There’s a big meeting about this in Copenhagen and the Cons. are getting some serious pressure to make sure Canada is a leader in Environment and Climate Change issues.  I really sense that God has some amazing ways that he wants us to take care of his world that just haven’t been uncovered yet.  Pray that God would provide his wisdom to the Environment and Sustainable Developement Committee as they seek to steward and are for this land.

2.) Afghanistan:
We have some big things to deal with as Canada begins to pull out of there.  The way that we’re involved is going to change, but I don’t think anyone totally knows what that’s going to look like.  Please pray specifically for Defense Minister Peter McKay and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day as they’ve been meeting recently to make long term plans – setting up programs that will help with the phasing out.

3.) Peace:
As I sit in Question Period trying to pray amidst the din of party members trying to make each other look bad, the word peace keeps coming to mind over and over.  I find  myself just praying “peace, peace, peace, peace” as I sit there.  These parties are all against each other, but in order for this government to function they all need to be at peace with one another and work together.  So, please pray for peace within the halls of Parliament between all parties and all party members.

Natalie

Share on Facebook