Raise Up Leaders that Honour You

COMMUNITY: Local Governments

Verse of the Day: Now this Daniel was distinguishing himself above the other supervisors and the satraps, for he had an extraordinary spirit. In fact, the king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom…because he was trustworthy and guilty of no negligence or corruption. – Daniel 6:3-4

Lord we ask that You would raise up men and women into political positions who honour
You both in their private lives and political roles. We lift to You our Mayor and council and ask they would so carry out their roles that not only that there would be no harm or loss fall upon their riding, but blessings and abundance. We pray that they would distinguish themselves above all others and have extraordinary spirit in their fields of influence and responsibility. We also pray that they would be people who are trustworthy and guilty of no negligence or corruption and that there would be corporation and unity among the municipalities of greater Victoria. In Jesus Name.

Barry Goodwin - Pastor - Esquimalt Church of the Nazarene

God has His Own OCP!

COMMUNITY: Community Future/Destiny

Verse of the Day: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Every community has an Official Community Plan. The OCP maps out what politicians and residents believe is best for the community. God has His own OCP! His plans are rooted in His
unfailing love and grace. His plans are for mercy, justice, redemption, an end to poverty, discrimination and violence. His plans are for prosperity and hope. 

God in Heaven, You have a plan to prosper and give hope and a future to every person who lives on the streets that I am walking today. Send the blessing of Your plans to each home, business, school and institution in our city today. Let Your kingdom come and let Your will be done in Victoria as it is in Heaven. Amen!

Tim Schindel - Founder/President - Leading Influence Ministries

May the Businesses in Our City Give Glory to Your Name

COMMUNITY: Businesses

Verse of the Day: Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! - Proverbs 119:36 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, We give thanks to you Lord; you are worthy of our prayers and our praise! In all things we recognize your goodness, love and gift of grace. As we look upon the neighborhoods in this city, today we lift up all the businesses that surround us. We recognize for many that the love of money is a powerful trap; forgive us where we fall within it. 

For those who own or work in businesses, in stores or offices or homes, we pray blessing upon them and ask you to help them work in a way that brings glory to your name. Bless them with an eye for honesty, humility and justice. Show us the part we play in this, Lord, and help us be conscious of our habits and desires. As we work and partake in businesses, might we do so in ways that honors and furthers your kingdom. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Daniel Patstone - Associate Pastor - Shelbourne Street Church of Christ

May Our City See God in Creation

COMMUNITY: Recreation Centres/Parks

Verse of the Day: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. - Psalm 24:1-2

Father, today we celebrate the beauty and majesty of Your creation that characterizes our region. We’re grateful for the foresight of community leaders who, for our enjoyment and renewal, have set aside parcels of land for parks and recreational purposes. We ask You to bless those who frequent these special places—those who enjoy a leisurely walk along Rithet’s Bog or Witty’s Lagoon, those who climb Mount Finlayson, those who jog past Clover
Point or run around Elk/Beaver Lake, or bike on the Galloping Goose and Lochside Trails. 

We bless those children and youth and their families who learn about teamwork and sportsmanship and competition on the baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, hockey arenas, and swimming pools in our communities. We pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of all our neighbours, realizing that “. . .since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. . .” (Romans 1:20) Amen.

Calvin Black - Associate Pastor - Victoria Church of the Nazarene

Give Our Teachers Wisdom

COMMUNITY: Schools/Higher Learning

Verse of the Day: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. - Proverbs 18:15 (NIV)

Additional Verses – Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 2:8

Thank you Lord God for each and every school and place of higher learning in the greater Victoria area. We pray for each professor, teacher, and staff person who works there. Bless them as they seek you for wisdom in how they train and equip our students. Lead and guide
them in how to bring light into the dark situations they come across. Place a hedge of protection around them and their classrooms. We recognize that they perform a very important task each and every day. 

We pray too for the students that come into these classrooms, bless them Lord. Protect them in every way. May they not only be transformed in thought, but also in character. May they seek you for wisdom and guidance, not only to acquire knowledge but to also live out their lives with purpose. We recognize what a true gift they are. We thank and praise you for them, and know what a difference they make in our communities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Terry Opperman - Leadership Development International

Bless and Comfort Those Who Protect Our Nation

COMMUNITY: Protective Services

Verse of the Day: For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45 (NLT)

Heavenly Father – we are overwhelmed that you would send your Son, to serve us and give His life for us, so that we may in turn come to love and serve you through serving others. Thank you for the men and women in the military. Bless and protect them and their families. We ask you to
comfort and strengthen those families who have lost loved ones in the cause of protecting
this nation. We honour them right now. 

Thank you for all those in our Police and Fire Departments, as they face dangers and harm in protecting our communities. Thank you for the Medical Profession, for their caring and compassion. Thank you for their dedication and their desire to bring healing and comfort to those in physical and emotional need. Thank you for our Social Services, and their compassion for the less fortunate in our communities. Thank you for the love that they demonstrate on a daily basis. Thank you for the Government Officials at all levels in our communities, for their dedication to providing just laws and services to our communities. 

Heavenly Father, bless all these men and women, and their families. Protect them, give them wisdom and guidance, and strengthen them as they serve their communities.
In Jesus name, we pray.

Graham Hunter - Assistant Pastor - Trinity Church

May Your Love Transform My Neighborhood

COMMUNITY: Neighbourhoods

Verse of the Day: The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. – John 1:14 (MSG)

Heavenly Father, you have arranged my steps. Father, I am not here, in this neighborhood, by accident. You have placed me here to be a Neighbor to these people; not only for their blessing, but for mine. May your love transform my neighborhood; and may it transform
me too. Lord Jesus, I pray for all the blessings you bestow to be present in my neighborhood; for safety, for care, for provision, and for relationship. 

Jesus, you came and moved into the neighborhood to save us, to care for us, to provide for us, and to bring us into relationship. May the generosity of your gift be realized in my community, and may my neighbors experience your generous nature through me. I pray Holy Spirit that you would transform me, making me a blessing to this community. Make me a comforter, a healer, a gift-giver, and truth-teller like you. Make me fully present in my neighborhood, just like you. Amen.

Aaron Dyck - Lead Pastor - Gateway Baptist Church