The 57th annual National Prayer Breakfast, held in Ottawa in May, brought together Canadian political leaders and members of Parliament with representatives from denominations of Christian faith, including members of The Salvation Army. As a non-partisan event, political leaders of all parties joined with church leaders for prayer, conversations about reconciliation and awareness of human trafficking in Canada.

“Today, we come together from across Canada and throughout nations to express praise to our God, creator of all things. Because of his love, mercy and grace, we worship and adore him today,” said Cathay Wagantall, member of Parliament and master of ceremonies.

The theme verse for the event was 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. “This verse is about compassion—compassion of Christ toward us and therefore the compassion we show toward others,” said Rachael Thomas, member of Parliament, as she shared the Scripture.

The night before the prayer breakfast, Salvation Army leaders attended the National Leadership Dinner and a presentation by guest speaker Joy Smith, former federal health minister and founder of Joy Smith Foundation, an organization that combats human trafficking. Smith was joined by various members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (APPG), which has supported the introduction of bills against modern slavery and the recognition of February 22 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

At the prayer breakfast the following morning, members of the Senate and the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party leader Candice Bergen shared in prayers of reconciliation. 

“Lord, teach us to move forward on sometimes difficult but necessary paths of reconciliation,” the prime minister said. “Together we give thanks for your great blessings, Lord. As we gather today in prayer, we pray for peace and ask you to open our minds and our hearts because, as Christ said, ‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’ ”

“One of the primary tasks of the church is to strive for unity,” says Major Rick Zelinsky, territorial public affairs director, who represented The Salvation Army at the event. “The National Prayer Breakfast was an opportunity to break bread around a table as we prayed for our country, its leaders, children, people who are marginalized, those who suffer persecution and for our Indigenous neighbours. It was moving to be led in prayer by Prime Minister Trudeau as he embraced a pastoral role.”

Following moments of prayer, keynote speaker Bill Adsit shared his testimony. As a member of Tahltan Nation and a residential school “conqueror,” as he calls it, Adsit spoke about faith and resilience through God’s grace.

“I had very little chance at a successful life at that time. But I didn’t know that God was the Father of compassion, and one who comforts us in our troubles. That’s his promise,” said Adsit. “The first time in my life that I ever prayed, I asked God to forgive me. My life changed instantly. I felt peace, calmness. I felt forgiven. I felt that I had a future.”

Photos: Abbigail Oliver