May We Persevere

CHARACTER: Perseverance

Verse of the Day: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it. - Luke 11:28

Father God, once we know something is wrong, please give us the moxie to own up and change our ways. And if we don’t have the spunk or stamina needed to do that, give us brave hearts to ask for help. Your Word tells us that we blow it when we deliberately choose, in the light of Your truth, to disobey. You know our hearts. You know why we do what we do or say what we say. Like Joseph who made a bee-line outta there when Potiphar’s wife wanted a piece of him, give us that kind of grit to never EVER give up choosing to do the next right thing! Even when it hurts something fierce and scares the living daylights out of us! Thank you for giving us the freedom to obey You. Amen.

Louise (Bromley) Jewell - Registered Clinical Counsellor - Pacific Rim Care Counselling

Responsibility

CHARACTER: Responsibility

Verse of the Day: And we all, with unveiled faces,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just
as by the Spirit of the Lord.–- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJ)

Father God, You have blessed us with the gift your Holy Spirit and have placed within us the very nature of your Son Jesus Christ. Father, our prayer is that we might honor You with a life that is holy and true. That we might reflect Your nature, Your character, Your glory and Your love in the midst of a world so lost and so hurting. Let our lives be the guidebook to heaven for those who are seeking You. 

Give to us a heart for the lost that they might find You and be saved. Father open the eyes of those in this city that they might see Your Son Jesus and come to an understanding of the Living Truth. This we pray in the beautiful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lynne Schaper - Co-Pastor - Arbutus Christian Fellowship

Let Honesty Flow From Our Lips

CHARACTER: Honesty

Verse of the Day: 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. 2 For He laid the earth’s foundation on the seas, and built it on the ocean depths. 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their Savior.
6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. – Psalm 24:1-6 (NLT)

Father, we weep over a world buried in deceit; Humanity lies to itself daily about who we are
and whose we are. We fabricate images and personas to make ourselves look like more
than we are, To construct purpose and meaning apart from You; And we believe slander in our hearts that imagines us as so much less than Your beloved. 

Bless your people with the precious gift of honesty, Lord; Let it flow from our lips and hands to those around us; Let it refresh souls like pure water, Let it comfort and restore like salve on the wounds of deception That scar our identity, community, and humanity. May your Spirit bring clarity in the lives of those we encounter today; May it separate truth from lies in their hearts and minds So they can draw near to You, find belonging in You, The Way, The Life, The Truth.

                                                                           Travis Hutchinson Pastor Shelbourne Street Church of Christ

Holy Spirit, Kindle a flame of love in Victoria

CHARACTER: Integrity, Wholeness, Strength

Verse of the Day: Let my teaching fall like rain and my
words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like
abundant rain on tender plants. – Deuteronomy 32:2

O God – All people in this community come from you… Created to honor one another and for seeking the common good. From you all peace and justice flows. Come upon this neighborhood like morning dew. Inflame it with your love. 

Lord, Jesus Christ, Light of the World
Come and shine on this community
May hostilities be overcome
May petty differences be dropped
May the old and the young enjoy each other.

Holy Spirit 
Kindle a flame of love in this neighborhood
May its people be content with small means…
Seek integrity rather than luxury… 
Strive to be worthy, rather than wealthy…
Think quietly, talk gently, and act frankly.
Amen. 

(This blessing prayer is based on excerpts from Ray Simpson’s
A Holy Island Prayer Book, Morehouse Publ. 2003)

Henry Jonker - Pastor Emeritus - Victoria Christian Reformed Church

Your Kingdom Come

CHARACTER: Justice

Verse of the Day: But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. – Luke 10:42

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have divinely appointed us to be your “hands and feet” to all those in our spheres of influence. We thank you that you have strategically placed us
right where you want us to be for such a time as this. We pray that Your Kingdom come, Your
will be done over this neighbourhood and in the businesses that you have us in. We pray Your protection, justice and liberty for those we live around, and for those we intersect with. 

Give us Your heart for the lost and marginalized, and help us to remember, and declare Your promise found in Psalm 2:8 “If you ask, the lost will be your inheritance.” So, Lord, we ask You for the lost in our neighbourhoods and spheres of influence that they may receive You as Lord and Savior.
Amen.

Gerry Esselink - Associate Pastor - Trinity Church

Bring Healing to the Broken

CHARACTER: Moral Purity

Verse of the Day: Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. - Isaiah 58:12

Dear Father in Heaven, please look upon the youth who are homeless, abandoned, unwanted and uncared for in our city and come to their aide. Provide for them a healthy sense of who they are and how they are unique and made in your image. Help them have the courage to break the cycle of poverty, of crisis and brokenness. 

Your prophet Isaiah prophesied your people would be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. So we ask that you would use us to repair those things that have taken away their sense of security and safety. Use us to restore a sense of belonging in this world giving them a sense of purpose, hope and direction for their lives. Help them and us to see that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves as a response to the obedience, love, prayers of your people.

Darin Reimer - Executive Director - Sanctuary Youth Centre

Courage to Speak the Gospel

CHARACTER: Courage

Verse of the Day: But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are actively pursuing the lost. We believe that you are in the business of redeeming and restoring your creation. We believe that you want your light to shine in, through and out of our city. So Lord, we invite you to transform our lives, our neighborhoods and our city. Holy Spirit, give us courage to live out and speak your Gospel in and to our city.

Overcome our fears by the power of your Spirit, and compel us to live with integrity and courageous humility. Reclaim Greater Victoria Lord, and reshape our culture to center our lives in Jesus Christ. With gratitude we declare that there is no one like you to help the powerless, bind up the broken, and proclaim freedom. We rely on you, and in your name we boldly trust and obey.

Kevin Thiessen - Pastor of Outreach/Missions Central Baptist Church