Guy Gentner - Delta North

Today we are praying for Guy Gentner.

Guy Gentner was elected as the MLA for Delta North on May 17, 2005.  MLA Gentner currently serves as Opposition Critic for Senior's Health. He has also served as Critic for Crown Croporations and Agencies including ICBC and the BC Lottery Corporation.

Further, MLA Gentner is also the Legislative Assembly's Deputy Chair of the Select Committee of Crown Corporations and sits on the crucial Select Committee of Public Accounts.

Previous to provincial representation, Guy Gentner served as a Delta Municipal Councillor from 1999 to 2005. As Chair of the Delta Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, Guy helped re-organized the department that included a significant capitalization program for parks, recreation and the arts. Guy's efforts were instrumental in the delivery of an enhanced Sun God Aquatic Centre, Mackie Park Artificial Turf Field, improvements to our Watershed Park and the new Fire Hall Centre for the Arts.

Guy also chaired Delta's Planning and Environment Advisory Committee and the Traffic and Safety Committee and served on many municipal committees including Finance, and Foreshore and Harbours.

In 2002, he championed the Tour de Delta, which is now acclaimed to be one of the premier cycling road racing events in Canada. For several years he also sat ont he Greater Vancouver Regional District Parks Committee.

Guy's community involvement consists of Delta's Heritage Advisory Commission, Delta's Board of Variance and the Delta Arts Council. Guy helped form the North Delta/Newton Public Hospital Society, and is also a past president of the North Delta Ratepayers Association and former vice-president of the Burns Bog Conservation Society.

Through the Mayor's Burns Bog task force, Guy contributed to the negotiating process that helped public purchase of Burns Bog. Previously, he served on the innovative provincial government's Burns Bog Analysis Study team.

Guy, his wife Shirley and family moved to North Delta in 1982. Guy graduated from SFU, is a transit operator, fly fishes and is an advocate for outdoor recreation.

Heavenly Father, we see Mr. Gentner's tremendous commitment to his community.  We recognize the hours of sacrifice, thought and hard work that he has given to serve his community.  We thank You for His example of community service and pray that You would reward him greatly. Lord, we see that you have given him tremendous capacity and ability as a leader and today we would ask You to equip him even further.  We ask that you would put strong and talented people around him who would enhance his gifts and abilities, thus making him even more effective as he serves an MLA.  Let your blessing and grace rest on him and his family today.

Amen.

Scott Fraser - Alberni Qualicum

Today we are praying for Scott Fraser.

Scott Fraser was elected as the MLA for Alberni Qualicum on May 17, 2005. Scott serves as Opposition Critic for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Scott has also served on many organizations, including Alberni Clayoquot Regional District Board, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board, Tourism British Columbia, Vancouver Island Health Board, Tofino/Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, treaty advisory committees, fisheries committees and the Family Court Committee.

Scott lived in Tofino with his wife and daughter for over 12 years. They now live in the Qualicum Beach area.

Let's pray together:

Father, we come before You on behalf of Scott Fraser today. We recognize that you have chosen him and prepared him for the task that You have laid before him. Lord, we ask that as he serves the constituents of Alberni-Qualicum You would watch over him in every way. We are thankful that you are the Source of all strength, wisdom and courage and that as we lift him before you, You will grant him all that is required to do his job with excellence and distinction. Let your blessing rest upon his life today we pray in Jesus Name, Amen.

Rob Fleming - Victoria Hillside

Today we are praying for Rob Fleming. Rob was elected to represent the riding of Victoria-Hillside on May 17, 2005.

He is the Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and is the Opposition Critic for Advanced Education. Rob previously served two terms as a Victoria City Councillor. He was first elected in 1999 at the age of 28.

Rob received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Victoria and has worked in research and communications since graduating. Rob lives in Victoria with his wife Maura.

Father, today we pray for Rob Fleming. We give You thanks for this young and talented man who has chosen to serve our province as an MLA. We ask that you would strengthen him as he gives himself to public service. Fill Him with great wisdom as seeks to serve his constituents. We pray that your blessing would rest upon his family as well and that they would know Your goodness and grace in their lives in every way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Format Change

Hi Everone - I've been thinking about making some changes on this blog to give it a bit more purpose and focus. We are still committed to building a prayer movement that will be a source of blessing and intercession for those who serve us politically and I think that this added resource will propel us toward that goal. As time goes on, my plan is to develop this into a tool that will help you pray effectively for MLA's, Mayors and Communities. For right now, we're going to stay focused on MLA's until I have some time to develop the other aspects of the blog.

We are currently planning out our prayer strategy for the Provincial Election this spring and will be posting updates as we move forward.

Have a blessed 2009!

History in The Making

Most Canadians are shocked and bewildered at what is happening in Ottawa. The most common words I hear are 'Shocking' and 'Unbelievable' and I'm inclined to agree. In a time when our nation needs strong leadership and government, we are being faced with the prospect of a coalition government.

This is an historic moment in our nation. But.... it's a moment that God knew would appear AND it's also a moment for the Church to rise to the occasion and to assume our proper place as priest and intercessor on behalf of the nation.

As I write this, there's a book on my desk called 'Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting'. It's filled with examples of God intervening in current events in response to His people coming before Him in prayer. It seems to me that our best response as the Church is not outrage or indignation over what we see transpiring in Ottawa. Our best response is a posture of humility and brokeness where we ask the King of Kings to intervene in our political chaos for the sake of our nation.

It's to that end that we are encouraging our friends and prayer partners to give themselves to prayer in response to the current political crisis. We are providing the following prayer points as a resource to provide clarity and focus as you pray. These come courtesy of the National House of Prayer.

1. Pray for Governor-General Michaelle Jean as she consults with her advisors about the key decisions she needs to make in the days ahead. Pray that she would ultimately be guided by the Holy Spirit.

2. Pray for public calm and safety. Strong emotions are being stirred up by this crisis. Let's pray that as various demonstrations take place that peace and order would be observed and no violence would erupt that might cause personal injury or property damage. Pray that the potential divisions and alienation that could deepen in our land would actually be addressed and healed at this time. We have had many calls from people who are concerned about separatism in different parts of the country.

3. Pray that God's good purposes would be accomplished during this difficult "shaking" process. Pray that all party leaders and members would learn and grow through this crisis. Ask the Father to thwart every attempt that the enemy is trying to use to harm our nation and its governance. Pray that every dark motive and plan would be exposed, especially back room deals and hidden agendas that would feed self-interest and not our nation's greater good.

4. Pray for each of the party leaders that they would resist the lust for power and would approach their duties with humility and true servanthood. Let's intercede that each one would be able to receive godly wisdom and act in a responsible manner. Pray that righteousness and justice would prevail.

5. Pray for the media and all the "pundits" who are seen and heard in the various news agencies and networks, that they would be careful to represent the truth and not take advantage of the situation. Ask the Father to make this a time of maturing for everyone involved in the media as well.

6. Pray for our nation's economy and for good leadership through 2009 as we navigate our way through the global economic crisis along with the other nations of the world. Pray that all parties would understand how their decisions are affecting average Canadians and their economic health.

7. Pray for the emergence of a stronger and healthier democracy in our land as we move through this political uncertainty. Pray that all Canadians would realize the importance of their participation in the democratic process, especially the younger generation that needs to be engaged more fully.

8. Pray for all our members of Parliament, that a spirit of unity would emerge out of this fractured time. Especially pray for the Speaker of the House - the honourable Peter Milliken as he presides over the debates. Pray that M.P.s who are followers of Jesus Christ would set a higher tone and be exemplary in their conduct and conversation.

9. Pray for the "average Canadian" who is generally ill-informed and therefore reliant on the media for their perceptions. Pray that truth would prevail and that apathy or a spirit of resignation would be lifted from the general public. Intercede that the people would not become demoralized or cynical about the political realm.

10. Let's pray for a revival of prayer to come upon the Church in Canada. Pray that believers would rise to the challenge of the hour, and that a spirit of prayer would come upon us as we stand on guard for our nation in its hour of need.

To link to a printable copy of this page, please click here.

Praying For Wisdom

I'm amazed at the response to the email I sent out regarding this particular prayer focus. By last night over 700 people read the email that went on Monday and have begun to pray with us. Additionally, a pastor's prayer group from Victoria will be joining me at the Legislature on Thursday morning to represent the Church across BC. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited to see what God is doing.

Daily Prayer Focus

1. The debate has become fairly acrimonious as both sides seek to blame the other for the current situation. While our political system is adversarial by nature, we need our leaders to push partisanship aside and to collaborate on what is best for our Province. This can only begin through a move towards humility on both sides of the house.

2. Pray for the Speaker and Deputy Speakers as they moderate the debate. The Speaker demonstrated tremendous wisdom and leadership yesterday afternoon and will undoubtedly be required to do so again before the session ends.

3. Finally, pray for the Party and House Leaders from both sides. These 4 people are key participants in this debate and also can be key to the solution that comes out of this debate if they choose to be. Pray particularly that the desire to serve the people of BC overcomes the desire for power.

Prayer Focus for November 25, 2008

While I had hoped to be able to provide specific daily information for you as a way to support your prayer partnership with us, all I have been able to do thus far is secure the following information. This link takes you to the Orders of the Day as set out by the Government House Leader. This will help you to see what will be discussed today and in what order it will happen.

http://leg.bc.ca/38th4th/orders/o0825nova4.html

This link will take you to the live webcast which can also be watched on the BC Leglislative Channel on cable TV.

http://leg.bc.ca/hansard/video/live.asp?video=wven&toc=live

Thanks for praying with us.