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Stand with Canada: A Prayer for Courage and Hope · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

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  Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  My name is Angel Santana, and I am your host.
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  Today, we have a special edition, because today, our hearts turn north to our neighbors in Canada.
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  Across beautiful forests and communities, devastating wildfires continue to spread.
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  Families have been forced to leave their homes. Firefighters and first responders
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  are working around the clock, risking their lives to protect others.
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  Thick smoke has filled the skies, and many people are living with uncertainty
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  about what tomorrow is going to bring.
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  You know, as believers of Christ, we are reminded that compassion has no borders.
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  When one community hurts, we all have an opportunity to stand together,
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  not only through acts of kindness, but through the power of prayer.
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  In Psalms 46, verse 1, it says, God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in trouble.
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  Notice that scripture does not say God only shows up after the storm.
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  It says he is present in the middle of it.
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  That means he's present with the family wondering if they'll ever return home.
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  His present, his presence is with
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  the firefighters walking into danger so someone else can walk to safety.
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  He's present with every child who is fighting or frightened by the smoke filled in the sky.
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  Sometimes we ask, where's God when tragedy strikes?
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  The answer isn't always found in understanding why something happened.
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  Sometimes the answer is found in the courage of the people who continue showing up.
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  It's found in neighbors helping neighbors. It's found in volunteers serving complete strangers.
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  And it's found in firefighters refusing to give up.
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  And it's found in people around the world stopping for just a moment to pray.
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  So today, I invite you to do that exactly. Let's pray.
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  Heavenly Father, today we lift up the nation of Canada before you.
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  We pray for every family that has been evacuated from their homes.
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  Comfort those who are afraid. Strengthen those who are exhausted.
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  Protect every firefighter, pilot, medic, volunteer,
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  police officer, first responder Standing between these fires and innocent lives,
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  Give wisdom to leaders making difficult decisions Send favorable weather Bring
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  rain where it is desperately needed Protect the wildfire, the wildlife,
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  the forest, and every community affected by these devastating fires Lord,
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  remind every person facing uncertainty that they are never alone.
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  Surround them with hope. Surround them with peace.
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  Surround them with people who love and who will love, encourage,
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  and support them through this difficult time.
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  Help each of us listen today to remember that prayer is never limited by geography.
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  Even from miles away, we can lift someone up. Even from another country,
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  we can love our neighbors.
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  May we become people who respond with compassion instead of indifference,
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  with faith instead of fear, and with hope instead of despair.
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  In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
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  Thank you for joining me today. Please continue to keep Canada,
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  its people, and everyone serving on the front lines in your prayers.
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  Until next time, never lose hope, never stop believing, and always remember,
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  to have faith, let it begin. Thank you.