A Canadian Summer Series: What "God Keep Our Land" Means For Believers

By Samuel James

“God keep our land…glorious and free…”

Whenever we sing the Canadian national anthem at a sports game, this line sticks out. What’s funny is that most people have no notion of its significance. Few of us realize that this is a devout prayer by Canada’s founding fathers, asking God to preserve our nation. As a Christian, I believe there is a direct correlation between our country rejecting the principles it was founded upon and its current decline. Although a skeptic would phrase it as, “God doesn’t seem to be doing a very good job of making Canada glorious.”

What we’re missing is the second aspect. Yes, of course, we want God to keep our land glorious and free. However, we have a role to play. Think about Moses and the Exodus. God brought His people out of Egypt, but He used Moses and Aaron. God could have brought the plagues upon Egypt by Himself, but He chose to use finite, feeble human beings. God wants to use us for His purposes.

Allow me to offer a few suggestions on how we can join God in doing His work in our country. If the ideas I’m sharing seem basic, they should be. The spiritual disciplines are basic. However, even the most devoted Christians will never master the basics. We can never become too good at prayer or reading Scripture. And if we start overlooking the basics in pursuit of something more “challenging”, that’s a clear sign we’re missing the essential tenets of faith. 

First, pray (Ephesians 6:18)

As the saying goes, we can never do more than pray until we’ve prayed. We need to intercede for our country, our government, and our leaders. If you aren’t a fan of Canada’s current leadership, don’t stop here. A sentence from Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline reminds me why praying for authority is crucial: “To be in a position of authority and to know that your roots are not deep enough into the divine life to command spiritual authority is a frustrating, almost desperate, quagmire.” If you share my faith in Christ, let’s run an experiment. Try to imagine your life without God. Like, no God at all. Now you’ll have a flicker of what it’s like to be a leader without the power of Christ. I’d feel hopeless.

Second, practice silence (Psalm 37:7)

What does this have to do with helping our country? Everything. Our country moves so fast, with everyone rushing to and fro and scrolling on their phones and TVs, that few stop to help or make a difference. The simple act of spending half an hour before God with no distractions, no music, no phone, is powerful. From there, bring this pattern of silence into your everyday life. I guarantee you’ll see opportunities to share God’s love that you may have otherwise missed. I’m not saying don’t listen to music or look at your phone. Although I will suggest adopting a lifestyle that isn’t non-stop distraction or busyness.

Third, meditate on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8)

I cannot overstress this. Last year, I read through the entire Bible, and it changed the way I view Scripture. This year, I’m doing it again. If we aren’t reading Scripture multiple times per week, we’re in danger of letting other voices dictate our actions. So pick up your Bible and study. If you’re new to this, start with the Gospels, then work through the New Testament. A word of caution: the goal isn’t to speedrun the Bible. Sean McDowell put it beautifully in his book A Rebel’s Manifesto when he said, “It isn’t about how much you get into scripture, but how much scripture gets into you.” After reading the Word, ask yourself what it means. Ask yourself what God’s heart is in this passage. Ask yourself how it may apply to your life today. If you’re feeling adventurous, aim to memorize a few impactful verses.

Fourth, serve others (Romans 12:6-8)

I love this one. As the Canadian church, we need to be visible. Jesus spoke the truth. He also emphasized action. He served others and met their needs every day. My encouragement is for us all to get involved in the church and community. It doesn’t need to be a massive commitment, but it should be intentional. You could serve at church, you could serve at a food bank or seniors’ home, or you could serve by offering your talents. After all, God called us to love others in the world, not to hide from the world (John 17:15). And what better way is there to reflect Christ?

Fifth, support one another (Galatians 6:2)

There is too much division in the modern church. We need to stop dividing and begin supporting. Maybe God isn’t calling you into conventional ministry, but I bet you know someone who works for a church, not-for-profit, or missions organization. Support them. Pray for them, encourage them, bring them a meal, get together with them. When you see members of the body suffering, struggling, or going through challenges, be there for them. Practice showing the love of Christ by caring for one another as He cares for us.

Sixth, advocate for what’s right (1 Corinthians 15:58)

I’ll begin this with a caveat: there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. It’s not our job to pick fights over everything Christians or non-Christians disagree over. That aside, God calls us to stand for truth. If we sit by while parliament continues to pass anti-Christian laws and while our culture spirals further away from God, we will never see the church grow. We must prayerfully follow the Spirit’s guidance and ask Him where we are to advocate. What mission field has God placed you in? How can you stand for truth in this field? How can you lovingly share the Good News with others?

And seventh, persevere (Hebrews 12:1)

See, for God to keep our land glorious and free, there need to be Christians in it who believe God wants to help our nation. Let’s do everything possible to spread His truth here in Canada (or wherever you live). I know it will be hard, and it will get harder, but hardship is never an excuse to give up. Remember Revelation 22:20, which tells us that Jesus is coming soon. There is hope. Maranatha.

I invite you to join me in this simple prayer for our country:

Lord Jesus, I lift the country of Canada up in prayer before You. I confess that we have drifted away from Your Word, and I pray for the help of Your Spirit as I do my part to share the Good News. Please fill our local, provincial, and government leaders with divine wisdom, so their every move may ultimately bring You glory. Open our eyes to the needs around us. Help us unite as a church in pursuit of Your Kingdom. Give us the strength to persevere, and above all, keep our land glorious and free. For Your glory, always. Amen.

About the Author

Samuel James is first and foremost a child of God and follower of Jesus Christ. His lifelong desire is to serve Him with all his heart and to utilize the gifts he’s been given for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

Beyond that, he’s a multimedia lover who’s attempting to put his stamp on the world. He’s passionate about reading, writing, videography, photography, web creation, graphic design, listening to podcasts, running, playing piano, watching movies, and learning (among other random things). You can find him online at WritingLifeFaith.com.

A Note From Olivia

Hey, Remnant! I hope you enjoyed the first installment of A Canadian Summer on The Remnant. Stay tuned all summer for more young Canadian writers' posts! Subscribe to The Remnant if you haven't already and follow us on Instagram so you don't miss a beat! See you in a couple weeks, and enjoy your summer! <3