“We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that things are shifting and changing.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Canadian intercessors are getting ready to march to Ottawa for a CRY at the Canadian War Museum. The CRY is a Canadian movement of prayer, fasting, and worship focused on seeking God’s heart and blessing for Canada, as well as the unity of His Church.

“We believe prayer works and it is one of the ways that we, as the faith community, can engage to be a blessing to our nation,” explains one of the CRY organizers. “There is a lot we are navigating as a nation right now and our leaders need wisdom. It’s going to be two nights of prayer and fasting, praying for the blessing, health, and wellbeing of our nation.”

The CRY will run October 11 and 12, from 5:55 until about 11 p.m. Although the CRY falls less than two weeks before the national election, organizers are quick to clarify that it is not a political rally or partisan event.

“We all just want to see God work wonderfully for our nation.” Photo courtesy of The CRY.

“We are not praying ‘God bless this party’ or ‘Don’t bless that party.’ It’s pretty simple, it is just five hours of worship and prayer for Canada.” The CRY will also “be praying for renewal in the Church. We are going to be lifting up a lot of different items, including the strengthening of the family.”

The movement’s motto is “It’s not a concert, it’s not a conference, it’s a CRY.” They emphasize that attendees are not observers, they are participating in petitioning God for His will in Canada. Central to that, and a hallmark of the CRY, is the unified leadership team from different denominations and cultures within Canada.

“One thing that’s makes it special is the dedication of the national leaders that come and push into unity and without agenda,” explains Barry Maracle, a Mohawk Christian speaker and worship leader who has been among the leaders for 12 of the 14 CRY events.

“We all just want to see God work wonderfully for our nation. The tone of these CRY events are one of humility and of a contrite heart. We are declaring the goodness of the Lord over our land and the people of this land.”

“There are a number of things that have happened at past CRYs, like the Body of Christ coming together beyond barriers of creed, culture, and denomination.” Photo courtesy of The CRY.

While past CRY events have ranged from 1,500 to 10,000 people, organizers expect this to be among the smallest events, given the limited capacity of the War Museum—about 600 seats. They are encouraging people to register to reserve a spot.

“When we come together to Cry out for the welfare of our nation, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that things are shifting and changing,” Maracle states. “There are a number of things that have happened at [past] CRYs. Some of the intangibles have been outstanding, like the Body of Christ coming together beyond barriers of creed, culture, and denomination.”

One clear example of where prayer made a difference was after the CRY in Stanley Park, before the Vancouver Olympics. The Olympics have a reputation as being a breeding ground for human trafficking rings, so that was an issue the CRY lifted to God. Joy Smith, a former member of Parliament, attended asking the organizers to pray for her private member’s bill addressing human trafficking.

“We prayed for her at that CRY. It was only a couple weeks later, where Parliament sat and her bill went flying through to royal assent. Joy came back to us after and said she really believes it was the prayer that helped this bill get the favour it needed.”

With examples like that, Maracle says they have confidence that God will move through the CRY.

“We are not just praying anything, we are endeavouring to really know what God wants for our nation and praying from His perspective. So we are believing that when we cry out to God, He will hear our prayers and send His angels to accomplish His word.”