September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to remember the painful history and ongoing impact of residential schools in Canada and pray for healing among Indigenous Peoples, families and communities.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to listen, learn and pursue relationships marked by humility, compassion and love as we join Him in His work of reconciliation and restoration.
Listening and Learning Together
This year, our staff had the privilege of learning from Rev. Levi Samson Beardy, Lead Pastor of Indigenous Christian Circle in Toronto. Rev. Beardy helped us better understand the history and ongoing impact of residential schools and the journey toward truth, healing and reconciliation.
Drawing from his Indigenous heritage and Christian faith, he also encouraged us to consider the importance of forgiveness, healing and relationships shaped by the love of Christ.
A Prayer for Truth and Reconciliation
Rev. Beardy prepared this prayer for Truth and Reconciliation Day 2026. We invite you to pray it with us as we ask God to continue His work of reconciliation in our lives, relationships and country.
O Lord God, Jesus, Creator and sustainer of all life and of the vast universe in all its physical, spiritual, and esoteric dimensions.
When the disciples asked, “Teach us how to pray,” you taught them to begin by acknowledging “our Father in heaven.”
In the prayers of my Indigenous heritage, you were similarly called “Grandfather,” recognizing you as the supreme life force, the Creator, and the “Great Mystery.”
As human beings, we are prone to worship many kinds of earthly deities—things we can see, touch, or create to fit our limited understanding. Even when we pray towards heaven, where you dwell, we are easily distracted and led to worship the sun, moon, stars, or other celestial beings shaped by our imaginations.
Aaron, for example, quickly strayed despite witnessing the miracles and signs that freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. During Moses’ prolonged absence on Mount Sinai, he yielded to the people’s impatience and made a “Golden Calf” to satisfy their spiritual needs. How easily we lose our obedience to you when we take our spiritual eyes off you and the “Heavenly Father”.
Abraham, by contrast, was taught as a child by his father, Terah, in Ur to worship “other gods,” likely the sun, moon, and stars. Yet he heard your voice not from creation or those gods, but from your throne in heaven. He heard and believed in your Word, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
When you came as Jesus, Israel had fallen into disobedience. The Sadducees, Pharisees, and teachers of the Law had strayed far from your original teachings because of their hardened hearts.
As Indigenous peoples, many of us have also been led away from you, the Creator, and have instead given our allegiance to the created world and to spirits associated with fish, animals, birds, the sun, the moon, and the stars.
The diverse prayers of our Indigenous peoples beautifully express gratitude to you, the Creator, harmony with the earth, and the interconnectedness of all creation. But, just as the Lord’s Prayer can become an empty mantra when it is no longer offered as heartfelt, Spirit-led worship, I pray that Indigenous prayers and ceremonies will not become empty rituals. May they cleanse our bodies, minds, and spirits and prepare us to receive your message for today and for the future you have prepared for us.
In the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, I pray for forgiveness, healing, and sincere apologies for the harm inflicted on Indigenous peoples through the Residential School system and other injustices that have damaged our relationship. May each side endeavor to unite under the banner of your love and healing Presence.
I pray that all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, will learn to worship you in spirit and truth, fully aligned with the Father’s will. May they do so through the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of Jesus—the Name above every name and the name you bore when you walked the earth.
Amen.
Listen. Learn. Join Jesus.
Truth and Reconciliation calls us beyond a single day of reflection. As disciples of Jesus, may we continue listening and learning from Indigenous Peoples and communities and ask how Jesus is inviting us to join Him with humility, compassion and love.
Continue learning through these resources shared with our church community.