As euthanasia (MAiD) becomes prevalent in Canada and available to an expanded list of people living with physical or mental illness, the United Church of Canada has approved the following pro-euthanasia prayer written by cleric David Sparks and Sheila Noyes, former co-president of the euthanasia lobby group, Dying with Dignity Canada:

Prayer in the Midst of Fear

I am afraid. I feel fear penetrating my mind and my heart. I feel fear in my gut.

I am afraid to die. I do not know what lies beyond the barrier of death. I am afraid to release myself to the great unknown.

I am heartbroken and afraid to leave my family. I am still needed!

I have let go of hope for healing, and I hold on to hope for the next life.

I am afraid that my family and loved ones, children and grandchildren will be troubled when I tell them I plan to die using medical aid in dying (MAID).

(Prayerfully speak of other fears)

But, in the midst of my fear, I have hope that my family and loved ones, children and grandchildren will understand the choice to end my suffering.

I hope they will be proud of my decision and will understand that MAID is consistent with the love and compassion of Jesus. I have such peace in knowing this is my choice. My family loves me but they cannot feel my suffering, they cannot comprehend my helplessness.

I have hope and assurances that my death will be gentle. I am grateful that I can make this choice, for I am terrified of dying in pain and being helpless.

This choice to determine when I have had enough gives me peace even in the midst of the fear.

I feel that fear throws up a barrier between you and me, Loving God, a barrier so hard to penetrate, and I want that barrier down.

Come to me, Compassionate God, come to me as fear weighs me down and gets in the way of the joy and peace I want to feel and share around. Come to me and embrace me with your Eternal Love.

In the deepest part of me, I believe it will be your love that casts out fear for this waiting time and for my final journey through death.

I pray in the name of the suffering Jesus. Amen

People should always have compassion for those who are living with physical or mental illness, but the United Church is praying for and approving the act of killing.

The United Church of Canada should be affirming the inherent value of life. Instead, they are choosing to affirm feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and despair.

On March 9, 2022, Churchill Park United Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba hosted the euthanasia death of an 86-year-old woman in the sanctuary of the church.

Senior officials within the United Church of Canada need to disavow the killing of their members and affirm their lives by responding to them with love and hope.

Please sign this petition telling the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of The United Church of Canada, that you disapprove of their pro-euthanasia “prayer” and that they must cut ties with pro-euthanasia lobbying group Dying with Dignity Canada and disavow their support for killing people living with physical or mental illness.

More information:

United Church of Canada approves euthanasia prayer (EPC): alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2023/02/united-church-of-canada-approves.html

Winnipeg Church hosts (MAiD) euthanasia death (EPC): alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2022/04/winnipeg-church-hosts-maid-euthanasia.html

Declaration of Hope Canada: declarationofhope.ca/

United Church of Canada Prayers: Death and Dying: united-church.ca/worship-theme/death-and-dying