With the passing of Nelson Mandela the world has paused to recognize the huge vacuum that has been left by his death.  At age 95 no one would deny that his life was long – and who would deny that his legacy will live well beyond his years.  I don’t need to recount here what is so well known and widely reported upon in the press.

As so many have commented upon, Nelson Mandela lived for 27 years in prison enduring a life sentence but eventually finding himself freed to lead the nation to the end of apartheid.  Imagine at ate 76 negotiating with the white minority government to end this South African scourge.  (In case you wonder if you are too old to make a difference in the world)

Today is a National Day of Prayer in South Africa.  And the whole world joins South Africa in prayers of thanksgiving for this man of peace and prayers that God might raise up more Nelson Mandela like leaders to bring peace to other parts of this world.

And what might be the price to be a man like Mandela?  It might be 27 years in prison.  Chuck Colson suggested many years ago that if you want to find the global leaders of tomorrow you should look in the prisons of the day.

And what might a day of national prayer look like in Canada?  Is there any enduring figure that would you night us?