BITS and PIECES
296th Edition – May 24, 2026
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
We have just had a very successful Ministers’ Week of Prayer, and it can be that after the special effort, there can be a bit of a drop-off. Besides the devil will attack after a spiritual high spot and try to bring us down. But the Bible warns us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from thee” [James 4:7].
We are to continue in prayer, but for that, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We are to be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” [Ephesians 6:18].
It is the prayer that God the Holy Spirit inspires that God the Father answers.
The disciples did not know how to pray as they ought, so they came to Jesus and said, “Lord, teach us to pray” [Luke 11:1]. The Lord’s answer to them formed the basis of what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
It should be called ‘the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray’ for as the sinless Christ, He would never have occasion to pray, “forgive us our debts.” But the prayer is a beautiful pattern to follow in our supplications.
THE PATTERN APPROVED. “After this manner therefore pray ye.” God is the One who made us. He is the One who wants to communicate with us. He has the right to set the laws of engagement. And He has graciously offered to hear and answer prayer. We would be in a mess if He did not.
THE PERSON ADDRESSED. “Our Father” We are not dependent on political or business leaders. They are mere men and women like the rest of us. We rest on the love, sovereignty, and authority of a loving God who loves us with an everlasting love.
THE PERFECTION ADORED. “Hallowed be Thy name.” Let us come in humble respect every time we breathe that Holy name in prayer.
THE PLAN TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. “Thy kingdom come” His will shall be done.
THE PETITIONS TO BE ASKED. Not up front but in the middle of the prayer.
THE PRAYER CONCLUDED. “Thine is the glory, etc.” If we follow God’s pattern prayer the blessings will be ours.
BEHIND EVERY FAITHFUL PASTOR
There is one person in your church
Who knows your preacher’s life.
She’s wept and smiled and prayed with him,
And that’s your preacher’s wife.
She knows the prophet’s weakest point,
And knows his greatest power,
She’s heard him speak in triumphant tone,
In his great triumphant hour.
She’s heard him groaning in his soul
When bitter raged the strife,
As hand in his she knelt with him,
For she’s the preacher’s wife.
You tell the tales of prophets brave,
Who walked across the world,
And changed the course of history
By burning words they hurled.
And I will tell how back of them,
Some women lived their lives,
Who wept with them and smiled with them –
They were the preacher’s wives. [Selected].
FORTY YEARS AGO
The Toronto Sunday school held a special contest forty years ago. It was designed to encourage regular pupil attendance with their Bibles, and interest new pupils to come, but most importantly to encourage the students to memorize Scripture.
It was named the “Higher Plane Contest” as it would start with a balloon launch. Each child, and quite a few teachers, would have a balloon with John 3:1:16, the Church’s name and their own name inside.
There was quite a bit of excitement as the balloons soared aloft. The pastor’s balloon was a failure for it got stuck in the hedge around the church! But one child’s balloon was retrieved from Boston about five hundred miles away.
One of the prizewinners was seven-year-old Jonathan McAnally, now one of the esteemed elders of the church. It would be interesting to hear where the rest are now. The contest winner was 8-year-old, Sean Mackey. His prize was a private plane ride around Toronto with Major John Wood.
