Carney's Budget Barely Passes

The recent federal budget vote has stirred emotions across Canada. This post emphasizes the importance of praying for our leaders, regardless of political outcomes.

Transcript

This past week's budget vote carried a lot of weight. Many of us felt the tension because we knew what was at stake. If it failed, Canada would have faced a federal election. For some, that possibility brought hope. Hope for change. Hope for a fresh start. For others, the thought of an election felt unsettling. and the budget passing came as a relief. Wherever you were in that mix of emotions, it's easy to get caught up in the noise, the headlines, and the political debate and lose sight of the bigger picture. Before we dive in, if you find this message helpful, be sure to like, share, and subscribe so you don't miss future content. Now, I know some of you are disappointed

by these results and others are relieved, even delighted. In the months ahead, political developments may leave some of us feeling discouraged or even fearful. But I want to remind you there's a bigger picture, one that doesn't depend on election outcomes, media narratives, or political strategy. No matter where you find yourself, whether hoping for change or trusting the cover current government, God's perspective is bigger than any one vote or political movement. Scripture says, "He changes times and seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings." That truth anchors us. While politics has real consequences, it does not hold ultimate authority. Governments come and go. Parties rise and fall.

Policies shift. But God's kingdom, it's steady. It's eternal. It's unshaken. And that's why we pray for our MPs. All of them. Regardless of party, ideology, or whether we personally agree with them or not. Not because they're perfect, not because they always make the right decisions, but because they're human beings holding authority that affects millions. And scripture commands us to pray for those in leadership. 1 Timothy 2 says, "First of all, then I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all those in authority." Whatever happens on Parliament Hill, let's stay committed to praying for our

MPs. Because the leadership can be heavy because public pressure can be immense. Because they face decisions we never see and responsibilities we rarely understand and because God can reach hearts in ways political debate never will. So what do we pray for? Well, we pray for wisdom. Not just intelligence, but clarity, humility, and sound judgment. James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all." We pray for discernment, the ability to see truth, to choose rightly, and to distinguish between what is good and what merely looks good. Philippians 1:9-10. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and

all discernment so that you may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. We pray for courage to do what is morally right even when it isn't politically easy. Micah 6:8, "He has told you, oh man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindest and to walk humbly with your God." We pray for integrity that their public roles and private character align. Psalm 15, "Oh Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart, keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind. We

pray for compassion that they remember the people behind the policies, families, workers, seniors, youth, and communities across this nation. Proverbs 31, speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy. We pray for peace and strength because the pressures of polit political life can be overwhelming. Isaiah 40:29-31. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with

wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. We pray for unity, not uniformity, but a willingness to work together for the good of the country. Philippians 2, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full in in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. And we pray for a revelation of God's love that they would know him personally, not just ideologically. Ephesians 3:17-19. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts

through faith. that you being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. We pray these things for our MPs because they're human beings made in the in God's image, navigated an arena that is often harsh, exhausting, and spiritually draining. And ultimately, we pray because our hope is not in parliament. Our hope is in God. And as I said earlier, governments come and go, parties rise and fall, and policies shift with the seasons. Leaders change, strategies fail, and elections come and

go. But God's kingdom remains steady, eternal, and unshaken. That truth is more than a comfort. It's a foundation. It grounds our hearts when uncertainty threatens to overwhelm us. It humbles our attitudes when pride or frustration tries to take hold. It shapes our words and our actions, allowing us to speak with grace even when political debates grow heated or when decisions leave us disappointed. Knowing that God is ultimately in control frees us from placing our trust in shifting circumstances or human power. It allows us to engage with the world faithfully, praying, discerning, and acting with courage without despairing when outcomes are not what we hope for. It reminds us that our

ultimate allegiance is not to a party, a policy, or even an election, but to the one whose purposes endure forever. This perspectives gives us patience in waiting, wisdom in observing and compassion in engaging with others, even those with whom we disagree. It reminds us that while the news may feel urgent and the political landscape unstable, nothing can shake God's plans. And that assurance, this unshakable hope carries us through the noise, the uncertainty, and the disappointment, keeping us focused, faithful, and full of peace. It keeps our hearts anchored in him. I'm Marilyn Byberg with the National House of Prayer, and we'll see you next time. [Music]