24-7 Prayer Canada

Uganda - Reflections on Hospitality

Tue, 8 May 2012 11:32:07 -0400

Although I was technically going to Uganda to train leaders, I knew full well I would learn much more than I taught. As we are developing an Urban Monastery here in Hamilton, I was specifically interested in learning what the church in Uganda could teach us about community, hospitality, prayer and justice, which are key monastic practices.

As I meditate on my experience of Ugandan hospitality, one phrase that comes to mind is “gracious invitation”. We were graciously invited into the Leadership Training School, essentially sight unseen. Really they had no way of knowing if we were good teachers or if we were awful, but they made room for us.

Likewise, on Sunday we were invited into the pulpits of a couple of local churches and entrusted to speak to their people. We were warmly invited into people’s homes, and I was a little shocked to see how much effort went in to feeding us lavishly. One place we ate laid out nine different dishes before us, including a bowl of roasted white ants, and some more Canadian style noodles.

Finally, we were invited into people’s personal spiritual journeys. ... ... Some of the best times at the Training School were the question and answer periods, where together we wrestled through some of the challenges of leadership, and the students shared with vulnerability and transparency. We, strangers in a strange (to us) land, were welcomed as gifts and friends, not potential threats or rivals.

Honor is another phrase that carries greater weight for me at this end of the Ugandan visit. Ugandan and Congolese (there were many Congolese pastors at the school) culture is a culture of honor and respect. Very different than our casual Canadian culture. It was a little unsettling to have young women curtsey or kneel as they greeted me, and to be seated at head tables and served food first. I was renamed “Mamma Hannah” in deference to my roles as leader and mother. I discovered that if I wore traditional Congolese or Ugandan dress, that communicated honor to my hosts, and made them happy, and I learned to give special respect to the “Musees”, or elders of the communities I connected with.

How to bring this learning back to my own context? Hospitality as a mindset and heart expression, rather than as a task, is one way. Embracing newcomers and strangers as a Christmas morning gift to be unwrapped. Re-examining my casual and cavalier attitude towards those I meet and those I rub shoulders with daily. Expending extra effort to let people know that we are glad to have them with us. Probably a lot more, as I let my new experiences settle into my heart and life and into the life of our Urban Monastery.

Why Pray?

Mon, 7 May 2012 20:52:41 -0400

The Challenge of Postchristendom- Montreal conference April 23-26

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:49:50 -0400

If you're from the Montreal area, this is a conference you don't want to miss! Below is a message from Pierre LeBel, Director of YWAM Montreal, explaining a bit about the conference:

Christ is Lord beyond our religious cultures and symbols, beyond our religious props (many of which are personnally meaningful to me) :

He is Lord of all, including the secular, urban and postchristian world.

Madeleine l'Engle wrote: THERE IS NOTHING SO SECULAR THAT IT CANNON BE SACRED, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE DEEPEST MESSAGES OF THE INCARNATION.

Jeff Fountain, director of YWAM Europe from 1990 - 2010 and founder of the Schuman Center for European Studies, in dealing with this theme, will give us an overview of western history and unpack essential principles for us to learn and to apply in our particular settings here in Quebec and in Canada.

If the issues of the sacred / secular or that of postchristendom interest you or preoccuply you in any way as you reflect on mission today in the 40 / 70 Window, then this conference will be meaningful for you. Please take the time to visit our website under Events at www.jemmontreal.ca and to register to his upcoming conferences April 23 to 26.

The New Peel House of Prayer

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 14:52:00 -0400

If you're from the Peel or Greater Toronto Area you may want to check out this new prayer initiative:

The Peel House of Prayer ministry launched at the beginning of 2012 after a year of seeking, praying and partnering with like hearted individuals. PHOP sprung from a burning desire to see spiritual awakening happen in the churches in the Toronto area. We function from a sense that we are in a new season of 'more' in the body of Christ. We believe that this is the time for us as the church to align our hearts and efforts ESPECIALLY in the area of prayer for the purpose of transformation and Kingdom establishment in our region and eventually all over the GTA.
To this end we have established monthly prayer gatherings that happen every 4th Monday of the month @ 7:30pm at 41 Finchgate Blvd. This is a time for the people of God in the Peel Region to come together united in a place of prayer, declaration and worship. Its a time to take a stand for our Region and to position ourselves as holy people set apart for what ever God has for us. We are extremely passionate about this because we believe that prayer... ... is the beginning of strategy, we need to be positioned to hear what the Lord says for us in this hour. What a joy it is to see this happen beyond local church boarders and denominational divides! We know this is the time!
Currently we have a great team of Worship and Prayer leaders who are pouring in time and effort to bring about what we do and it is a major blessing! We are seeing God's favor as he brings more and more people in touch with the heart beat of this ministry. Beyond our prayer nights we desire to see, spearhead and support action initiatives to release the hope of the Gospel in our region which is in desperate need for the Kingdom of God.
Thanks so much for your inquiry and interest in what we do! Its really encouraging especially since we are in the beginning phase of the ministry to see people grab a hold of the vision.
Feel free to check out our website for more information www.peelhop.com
Thanks again,
Earl James
Director of Peel House of Prayer
All People's Church
41 Finchgate Blvd.
Brampton, ON L6T 3H8
Tel: 905-792-2176

Pastors as Pray-ers

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 02:52:02 -0500

I recently heard of a pastor who had come from Africa to Vancouver in order to complete his theological education at a very renowned institution here. When he explained to his professors how pastors operated in his home country, he was urged not to fall into typical Western pastoral patterns, but instead to retain the sense of prayer as his primary responsibility.

So now, shepherding a very large congergation, he only spends two days a week "working" on Church-related matters, admin, business issues, program, etc..., and spends the rest of the time in prayer for his congregation. Amazing. He understands that the very best thing he can do for the people entrusted to him is to pray for them.

I'm not necessarily suggesting this exact ratio for any pastors out there, but I am asking you to examine your current ratio. How much of what you do is relying on your own abilities, and how much is acknowledging God's ability?

For those who are not pastors, you are still called to pray. Check your own ratios. But as importantly, give your pastor the freedom and encouragement to pray. Most pastors will feel absolutely bogged down in "urgent" matters, and cannot find the time... ... or space to pray. Churches need to relieve these burdens, so that pastors can take on their true roles as shepherds in the model of Jesus.

New Social Justice Partnership with Chab Dai Canada

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:21:59 -0500

We're really excited to have recently joined efforts with Chab Dai Canada to help end sexual abuse and Trafficking!! We will be posting info on how you can pray against sexual abuse and trafficking in Canada and Chab Dai will be hosting 'Advocacy for Action' days to teach on the issue and give people practical ways of doing something about it right in their own city/neighborhood (for now this is only happening in Montreal, but please let us know if you would like to do something like this in your city).

If you would like to donate toward this cause you can do so through 24-7 Prayer Canada, simply specify that it's for human trafficking or Chab Dai and those funds will go toward the work we're doing together.

This is a little more on the Organization:

“Working Together to End Sexual Abuse and Trafficking”

Chab Dai (“joining hands” in Khmer) was founded in 2005 in Cambodia as a coalition to build collaboration among organisations working against human trafficking and sexual abuse.

Chab Dai Canada was founded in 2009 and works toward coalition building, awareness raising and advocacy amongst Canada-based anti-trafficking organisations. Chab Dai Canada focuses on issues of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation... ... in Canada, Cambodia, and across the globe.

Core Values

ϖ KNOWLEDGE FOR SHARING... We are committed to addressing issues of abuse, exploitation and trafficking by working together and providing opportunities for learning.
ϖ ADVOCACY FOR JUSTICE... We believe partnership in coalition creates more collaboration for advocacy, and enables organizations to support one another more effectively.
ϖ SUPPORT FOR STRENGTH... Working together enables us to keep our individual identities while also acknowledging the broader issues we face as a whole.
ϖ HOPE FOR THE FUTURE... We exist so that families and communities at risk, and those who have been sexually abused, exploited or trafficked, can receive appropriate care and recover their dignity.

Contact us

Chab Dai Canada

canadachabdaiorg

catherine.legaultchabdaiorg

Visit our website: www.chabdai.org andwww.chabdai.org/canada.html

Read our blog at www.chabdai.blogspot.com

Human Trafficking - Chab Dai Partnership

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:15:25 -0500

Chab Dai (“joining hands” in Khmer) was founded in 2005 in Cambodia as a coalition to build collaboration among organisations working against human trafficking and sexual abuse.

Core Values

ϖ KNOWLEDGE FOR SHARING... We are committed to addressing issues of abuse, exploitation and trafficking by working together and providing opportunities for learning.
ϖ ADVOCACY FOR JUSTICE... We believe partnership in coalition creates more collaboration for advocacy, and enables organizations to support one another more effectively.
ϖ SUPPORT FOR STRENGTH... Working together enables us to keep our individual identities while also acknowledging the broader issues we face as a whole.
ϖ HOPE FOR THE FUTURE... We exist so that families and communities at risk, and those who have been sexually abused, exploited or trafficked, can receive appropriate care and recover their dignity.

Contact us

Chab Dai Canada

canadachabdaiorg

catherine.legaultchabdaiorg

Visit our website: www.chabdai.org and www.chabdai.org/canada.html

Read our blog at www.chabdai.blogspot.com

Video - Justice and 24/7 Prayer

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:47:07 -0500

"Seek Justice" Week of 24/7 Prayer - Hamilton ON

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:43:54 -0500

“In Dutch we have the word “gezellig”. It can’t be translated into English directly, but basically it means a comfortable, friendly, peaceful atmosphere in a room and/or with a group of people. This is what we have here”, said Conrad, gesturing around the room.

My Dutch speaking friend and I were just sitting down for an hour of Lectio Divina, which is a contemplative method of reading and praying Scripture. The lighting was dim. The couches comfy. There was a tangible hush in the air – the accumulation of four days of 24/7 prayer had created quite a sanctified atmosphere in our prayer room. It was comfortable, peaceful and friendly.

We have been collaborating with the True City movement for about four years now www.truecity.ca – exploring ways that churches can pray together for the good of the city.

Last weekend True City had it’s annual gathering, which focused on the theme “Seek Justice”. There were breakout sessions on Justice Through Prayer, Justice for the Sexually Exploited, Justice and Mental Health Realities, and Poverty, Consumerism and Justice, amongst others. And for each breakout session had a corresponding prayer station in our... ... prayer room, which we are now running 24/7 for a week after the conference.

One of my favorite things about prayer rooms is that they provide a place where different prayer streams can collide, and where people can explore different prayer languages. Charismatic extroverts can sing their prayers. So can Benedictine lay monks! Folks who like prayer lists and information stations can use them. Artists can draw their prayers on the canvas that covers part of the floor. Mystics can meditate. And we can all do it together.

Walk with us this Lent...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:47:17 -0500

Join us for the next 7 weeks through Lent.

40 Days
5 Minutes
1 Gospel

From Monday-Saturday we'll be walking through the book of John, looking at Jesus' life and miracles.
There will also be study guides to take you deeper either as a small group or by yourself- check it out!!