How does a group of about 125 churches, distributed from British Columbia to Quebec, experience the important reality of our oneness in Christ and his mission? In many places, the nearest Free Methodist church is hours away from us, so it can be hard to feel like we’re “one.”
Thankfully, we anticipate coming together for our General Conference every three years (April 14-18, 2027), and each Spring we gather for Regional Gatherings (eight of them this year from March to June). But how else can we connect on a national level?
Our annual Week of Prayer and Fasting is another important shared spiritual experience in the Free Methodist Church in Canada. Sunday, January 25, we’ll begin with a zoom service at 7 PM Eastern Time in which I’ll introduce our theme, “Unleashing Holy Freedom” and we’ll spend time in prayer. Monday through Friday, the regular noon Eastern Time zoom prayers will centre on different aspects of this theme, and each evening at 7 PM Eastern Time, we’ll gather again around our zoom screens all across the country for reflections from the Scriptures and prayer. The final service on Sunday, February 1 will be in person at Wesley Chapel in Scarborough, Ontario, and livestreamed for all who want to join but can’t make it to Toronto that evening.
Prayer is the lifeblood of communities of faith. Corporate prayer enhances our focus and unites us in purpose. Fasting is a tried-and-true means of grace—forgoing food or another legitimate blessing for a season in order to consecrate our time and attention on God.
I warmly encourage you to begin the New Year by entering into a shared obedience to our Lord’s command to be people of prayer. Let’s do it together.
