The 50th Annual National Prayer Breakfast will be held in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. During the week of the Prayer Breakfast, Parliament Hill will welcome over 800 guests and delegates from all religious denominations and from all across Canada to the Prayer Breakfast. But beyond the Breakfast itself, there is also the Monday evening Leadership Dinner, the annual Leadership Seminar, and the National Student Forum. The mission of the National Prayer Breakfast is to invite leaders to meet in the spirit of Jesus Christ in order to pray together.
At the heart of the National Prayer Breakfast is a small group of Parliamentarians from different political parties who meet for breakfast each Wednesday morning while Parliament is in session. The annual National Prayer Breakfast is more visible, but the weekly meetings are far more significant. The weekly meetings provide opportunities for deeper friendships to flourish and grow, across party lines.
The National Prayer Breakfast is attended by Parliamentarians from all parties in the House of Commons. It is a special time for us, as it brings to our attention the spiritual nature of our work on behalf of Canadians of all religions Many of us feel that spiritual matters and our faith are not ‘best hidden away inside a building’ but shared and celebrated in every aspect of our day to day lives. Spiritual implications give special meaning to the countless ceremonies and proceedings of Canada’s Parliament.
In Canada, our Aboriginal people have always been very up-front when it comes to their spirituality. Our aboriginal community regularly and routinely has a public and spiritual component to their meetings and ceremonies. Their ancient traditions and ours recognize Something and Someone greater than ourselves.
The people leading the National Prayer Breakfast ask for strength and wisdom for the leaders of our country. They appeal to audiences to be steadfast in support and prayer, because there will be both good and bad times to come. They request protection and guidance.
I pray that our federal government will accomplish many, many good and wonderful things for Canada. I am grateful and proud that in our free nation the ceremonies we conduct can show that it is alright to recognize that there is a spiritual side to life. It reminds us that none of us are perfect in our own strength and that by leaning upon our faith, we have the promise that we can realize our full potential. I trust and hope that we are not only reminded of that during the National Prayer Breakfast, but throughout the year as well.
