As I am writing this piece, General Assembly has just finished. I spent the time before, during and after the sederunts praying for the moderator, the commissioners, the clerks, the help desk people and the technology. Having been a commissioner last year, I knew what a challenge everyone would face and how important it was … Read more
Category Archives: Prayer
Prayer and Care continues
Renewal’s board of directors has discerned our current priorities as Prayer and Pastoral Care. Online Prayer Study, led by Rev. Glynis Faith, centred on “Prayer: Does it make any difference?” by Philip Yancey. (A wonderful group has been studying since May.) Listening Ear Here, a new ministry which links mature believers with individuals who … Read more
Inspiration via Orthodox Prayer
When I was asked to contribute a reflection on an ancient prayer, all I had to do was look up from my desk, and there was the answer – an Orthodox Prayer based upon the Prayer of St. Ioannikios, as well as the traditional and ancient Troparia to the Holy Trinity. I had printed out … Read more
Awareness of God’s Presence
This devotion is one that I shared at a Renewal Fellowship board meeting in March of 2022 and also shared during a midweek service during Lent. During both we looked at Judges 6:11-7:21, reading just the first part of it and referencing other parts of the section of scripture. This is referencing Gideon, who would … Read more
New Prayer Study Group
Renewal Fellowship is offering a six-week online study group of Philip Yancey’s book, Prayer: does it make any difference? Dates are May 2, 9, 16, 30, June 6 and 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT. There is no fee to register, but there are limited spaces available. … Read more
Prayer and Care
In recent weeks, many Canadian provinces have ended their mask mandates. For the first time in almost two years, we see each other’s faces in grocery stores and perhaps also in church. And yet for the most part there is no feeling of liberation or great cry of joy. To be sure, we like it. … Read more
A Prayer Testimony
This is a testimony of a couple who for many years, were homeless and travelling around Canada, destitute and struggling with addictions and hopelessness, surviving by living in parks, alleyways under tarps, tents, and receiving handouts in community centres and shelters. They lived “welfare cheque to welfare cheque” and often taking advantage of the compassion … Read more
Prayer and Care in a Divided World
As we work towards the renewal and revival of the church in accordance with Biblical orthodoxy, The Renewal Fellowship is focusing on two priorities in 2022: prayer and pastoral care. To be effective in those two things, we need to understand our church and the world in which we exist. The following essay is intended … Read more
Dedicated Prayer: Let’s Make it Happen
What’s the first thing we give up when life gets busy? Time for ourselves. We can easily ignore our personal needs with fewer immediate repercussions than skipping commitments at work, church, in the community and with family. But I’m going to suggest there’s something that’s pushed aside even before our personal downtime. Take my life as an example. ... Read more
Start with Prayer
Let's begin correctly. The church of my youth gathered each New Year's Eve to usher in the New Year with prayer. It was the acknowledgement that the enormity of the challenges ahead could only be faced with divine help. It was the idea of focusing individually and corporately on surrendering our agendas to the Lord. … Read more