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Election Reflections
- 01/24/06
- 22
We have a new Prime Minister here in the Great White North. After thirteen years of the Liberal Party reigning in Canada, the Conservatives have fought back. Thirteen years of corruption and mismanagement left Canadians angry and disillusioned with a party that seemed as intent on destroying Canada as they did on protecting it. Now it is the Conservative's turn to prove that they can do better.
There is much reason for hope. For the first time in far too long a Prime Minister has been elected who hails from the Western part of Canada - the area of Canada that is much more conservative socially and spiritually - the part of Canada that so rarely has a voice in our nation. For the first time in far too long the Prime Minister will not be from Quebec. And that is a good thing. And, in fact, for the first time in a long while the Prime Minster will not be Roman Catholic. And that is also a good thing. I don't know if Stephen Harper is a Christian. He was raised Presbyterian, I believe, and attends Christian and Missionary Alliance congregations in Calgary and Ottawa. I hope and trust that he is a believer. But even if he is not, he represents a conservative perspective that is far different from what has driven Canada for the past decade.
Yet he will have to tread carefully. Those hoping that he will make radical changes to abortion policy or policies regarding homosexual marriage probably hope in vain. He holds only a minority government and it is rare that a minority government last out its mandate in our system of government before it is toppled in a vote of non-confidence. He has promised free votes in parliament on a variety of important issues and these will go a long way to showing what Canadians really want. The Conservative government will have to prove itself to skeptical and disillusioned Canadians and will have to exercise great judgment and discernment in doing so.
Today is a big day for Canadians. It is a big day for Canadian Christians who have, for the first time in quite a while, been given just a glimmer of hope that perhaps the moral decay that has pervaded our country and that has been encouraged by the Liberal government, will be tempered, at least for a little while. And so please join with me today in praying for this country. I love Canada. I truly do. I want the best for Canada and plead with God that He will take what is largely a pagan nation - a nation that has been declared a mission field by the Southern Baptists and other denominations - and begin a fresh work here by and through His people.
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Comments (22)
TIm -- I saw the news firs thing this morning. My prayers are with you and Canadians across the nation. I worked in Canada for many a year and have many friends up there. They too are celebrating the election returns.
I pray that your conservative party will be able to do a better job than ours... Don't want to make any political statements, just praying that there will be a balance..
I think that your insights are wise and balanced. Let's hope that Canadians will keep righteous priorities in sight and that Harper and the Conservatives will govern according to the absolute standards of God's law. My hope is, deep down, Harper is a believer.
The "Canadian values" that the other side was trumpeting (pro-abortion, same-sex marriage, anti-Americanism, etc.) just made me shiver. This will be a nice change. The new government may not have the power to roll things back, but at least they will not be leading the charge down these dark roads.
One of the legacies of the soon-to-be-former Prime Minister's obsession with promoting same-sex marriage is that a debate has started in Canada about also legalizing polygamy. Perhaps it should not be a surprise; it's the logical extension of the argument.
"Now it is the Conservative's turn to prove that they can do better."
I welcome this news for Canada. I only hope the conservatives do indeed prove they can do better unlike the conservatives (Repbulicans) have done here in America.
"It is a big day for Canadian Christians who have, for the first time in quite a while, been given just a glimmer of hope that perhaps the moral decay that has pervaded our country and that has been encouraged by the Liberal government, will be tempered, at least for a little while."
Maybe I'm disillusioned from the experience of other governments, but I don't want to get my hopes up.
I think there are all kinds of issues as well: those who are conservative on social issues are often not as concerned about justice for the poor and oppressed. Let's hope the Conservatives govern wisely.
I know my parents are rejoicing in Saskatchewn. While no one should expect major changes, as Tim indicated, maybe the decay can at least plateau for a time. I doubt that any politician could earn "show points" by attending a CMA church, so I'd have to assume he is a believer. Let's pray that God uses him as a light in a very dark place and protects him from the temptations of power.
O Canada!Our home and native land!True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Good synopsis, Tim.
It will be difficult, with this House of Commons configuration, for Harper to bring in sweeping social or moral change. I think his best bet would be to try to keep the financial outlook strong by bringing in all his fiscal promises and in so doing, press for a majority in the next election. Once that happens, he can begin to bring some substantial social and moral change.
I will join you in praying for our nation.
Tim,
What is wrong with the people in Ontario? I must say I am completely dismayed at their utter sense of apathy towards the moral depravity of the outgoing government.
Is the church in our heartland that morall y and spiritually bankrupt that they are unwilling to cry out for justice? Let's pray that all believers across our nation we finally realize we can be silent no longer. We must begin to put action to our beliefs and prayers to our faith.
When was the last time you heard a Prime Minister end a speech with "God bless Canada"? Awesome!
May God truly bless our great nation!
I was pleased to hear that a Conservative finally won. Without a majority government the best thing to hope for is just that he doesn't do anything stupid. That being the case hopefully the Conservatives can win the next election with a wider victory. It is that point where legitimate social change can begin to take place.
Btw, forgive my ignorance, but can someone tell me how long one remains Prime Minister in Canada after an election? For some reason I think it is only two years. Here in America Presidents last for 4 years (with max of two terms).
Thanks,mike
I think the first priority in prayer for Canada, after giving thanks, should be that Christian churches wil be able to proclaim the Gospel freely, unhindered by fear of reprisals/regulations.
As a former Ontarian, now Albertan, I too to shake my head at eastern Canadian voters who continue to vote Liberal. What are they thinking????I was especially ticked to see Belinda Stronach get back in.
I hope Mr Harpr will postpone his free vote on same sex marriage, because as it stands now, I think he would probably lose.
Take Care
Right on Canada!!!!:)
I honestly don't know much about the political history of Canada. But from what you've said here it sounds like the moral climate has a good chance at improving.
Don't put much trust in politicians, often they are even less useful than chariots and horses.
Mike,Your confusion on the length of a Prime Ministerial term is understandable. There is no fixed term. In a majority government, there is a limit - someone will be able to be more precise - I believe it could be up to five years when an election needs to be called.
In a minority government an election can be triggered whenever a government loses a vote of non-confidence (as happened this past time).
Interestingly, Harper has hinted at going to American-style system with fixed election dates.
At the risk of over-quoting an author... I believe it was Lewis who said something like: Continuing down a wrong road is not progress. If you want to get back on the right road, the quickest way is to turn around...
I hope Canada can turn around. I hope the USA can turn around.
Liberals call it "turning the clock back." But if the clock is wrong, what's so bad about that. (Not on all issues, obviously.)
Turning around. Some call it repentance. I hope we can see it in the hearts of men in this new millenium.
JRush
I'll bet there was a lot of spiritual influence behind this election. I have learned so much from the messages of the Holy Spirit on The Holy Inheritance blog. It seems the Holy Spirit is trying to teach that a voluntarily funded government is the only government that has true spiritual value, that socialism forced on people has no spiritual value for anyone.
Hi Jim & John K:There isn't just one Ontario. The big city of Toronto didn't vote Conservative, but many other areas of Ontario did (e.g. southwest Ontario, where I live). The Toronto Star was basically running attack stories against Mr. Harper for the final week and disguising them as journalism, and the Toronto-ites fell for it.
And for that matter, neither Montreal nor Vancouver elected any Conservatives either. Hopefully next time the "Harper is scary" line of thinking will be history.
I guess if Torontonians want someone at the cabinet table to represent big city interests then they will have to depend on their friends from Calgary and Edmonton!
Bugblaster, what does this have to say for major urban centers in general? Perhaps the left-wing agenda has perfected their campaign by focusing on the areas that have the greatest impact.
The greatest threat of course is the social engineering going on in the name of progress and human rights. Only the saltiness of God's people can prevent the complete decay of our society. It is high time we commit to a life of no compromise and follow Christ with complete obedience.
Bugblaster,I'm with you. My comment to my husband was "what's with TO?" (and area... I grew up in area). I almost wish the rest of Canada could separate from Toronto.
But seriously, we will need to keep praying for Mr.Harper and for our nation. We are a godless people. As such, we will not be seeing the blessings of God on our land unless hearts are turned toward the Almighty. May this be the wave that sweeps across our land.
We shouldn't just restrict our prayers to our government. We should also be praying for our criminal justice system which for a segment of our society, serves as the only intersection with morality and accountability. We must pray for that our judges will use available sentencing options to bring justice, require accountability on behalf of accused persons, deter crime and address the real needs and concerns of victims. We must pray that laws pertaining to offences against persons will be strengthened. We should also pray for judges sitting at all levels of court in this country, that they would use their authority in God-directed ways, not being persuaded by worldly and immoral arguments on behalf of those persons engaging in unGodly lifestyles.