Saturday morning my mom was looking up directions to get to downtown Halifax, where we would meet my dad for lunch. She needed an address, and the only thing that she could think of that was near where we wanted to go was the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. So she called up their website, and as soon as she opened the page, a bright notice boldly announced the opening of a new exhibit, "Hello Sailor! Gay Life on the Ocean Wave."
Needless to say, Mom was disappointed and confused as to why a display on sexual preference (regardless of what it is) has a place in any museum. But it seemed that this was only the beginning. For it was made known to us that this upcoming week is Halifax's tragic and disturbing Gay Pride Week. Homosexuals have dedicated a whole week to flaunt their sin (Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9) before the people of Halifax. Starting yesterday, all week, July 17-24, special events will be held at the library, unique exhibits will be opened at museums, "family" picnics will occur, a special gay harbour cruise will sail, and, on Saturday, a huge Gay Pride Parade, dedicated to families, will take place. According to Halifax Pride itself,
"Halifax has the fourth largest Pride Parade in Canada. Halifax is renowned for its family friendly community strong parade. This year’s parade will be no different. Join over 60,000 spectators and 1,400 parade participants, for the annual Halifax Pride Parade Saturday July 23rd, 2011. ... Community groups, organizations and businesses strut their colours as we all march 'better together' in Pride!"
It was because of this that my dad decided Sunday morning at 12:04, one minute before he would rise and pronounce the closing benediction to the congregation, to hold a prayer meeting that evening to pray specifically for this evil that's going on right in our very city. Last night was a blessed time, as for one hour, we simply prayed. We prayed for the salvation and conviction of sin for the LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer) community; we prayed for our mayor, Peter Kelly, who is an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQs; we prayed for the kids and youth of Halifax who are being taught that homosexuality is okay, are being brought to homosexual promotional events and are being taught "tolerance" in the schools; we prayed for other "Christian" churches in Halifax who are boldly promoting Gay Pride Week; we prayed for Christians who struggle with homosexuality and who are being tempted to fall back into that sin this week; we prayed for boldness for us as Christians to speak out against this evil; we prayed for love and compassion when interacting and praying for homosexuals; we prayed that we would be aware that we are just as much sinners as LGBTQs and that it was only the grace of Christ that saved us; and most importantly, we affirmed that though this seems like something that's simply out of control, our God still reigns and ultimately, He is sovereign
My dad opened our prayer meeting last night by asking someone to read Psalm 37, a Psalm that they had stumbled upon when they were riled up and getting angrier and angrier about all this debauchery going on in our city. I pray that I will take this to heart and truly act upon it, not just this week, but every minute of every day:
"Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants. Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans. Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated —it can only bring harm." Psalm 37:1-8