“Foundational prayer for this community has made a difference.”

Janet Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

Across this city, believers from different denominations are preparing for a campaign that’s effect is becoming more and more noticeable. The annual City on our Knees initiative is inspiring prayer warriors to meet in cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, and even in packed mini-vans driving through Ottawa communities.

“City on our Knees is a week of prayer across the city,” explains Sarah Jackson, leadership team captain. “People are encouraged to take initiative to pray with others or on their own, in some special way, for the city. It’s the start of the year and we collectively commit our city to the Lord, for its care and direction for the year ahead.”

Running from January 20 to 26, the 2019 theme is taken from the Lord’s Prayer: “Father, Your will be done.” Now in its fourth year, City on our Knees started with a vision to encourage Christians to pray for their city.

Throughout the week, churches, houses of prayer, and Family Radio CHRI will be hosting events as a way for people to connect for a time of prayer and worship. The City on our Knees webpage includes a calendar listing these events, as well as daily prayer points participants can use for inspiration.

“This is an ongoing story. Praying such a foundational prayer for this community has made a difference.”

“By praying the points each day, our city will be covered in prayer in the areas of authorities, vulnerable ones, families, addictions, victims of sexual abuse, schools, workplaces, and churches,” says Jackson.

Robert Douglas, a member of the organizing team, believes that the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit are paramount in the positive impact seen all around the city.

“City on our Knees has had an impact on churches in our city. The church I belong to has held joint prayer services with other Stittsville and Kanata churches for three years running and will participate in another one in January,” he says. “I have heard enthusiastic comments from a number of people as a result.”

Douglas notes that other prayer needs within Ottawa are receiving more exposure because of City on our Knees.

“We have prayed for city-wide ministries, such as Ottawa Inner-City Ministries, Jericho Road, and others along with outreach ministries in our own churches. As well, some have had a chance to learn about and pray for justice ministries for the first time.”

Participants from previous years have seen fruit even in local businesses. Jackson describes how a restaurant in Gatineau was affected.

“A church plant called Jesus is Lord participated by praying at a new fast-food restaurant in their neighbourhood. They would buy a burger or a coffee, sit in the restaurant, and pray quietly for God’s kingdom to come in the lives of the customers, owner, and employees.”

The group continued praying for the restaurant, even after the week ended and eventually met the owner who was thankful for the prayers.

“The restaurant prospered. One of the young adults in the church got a job there, and started to pray for her fellow employees with greater insight into their needs,” says Jackson. “This is an ongoing story. Praying such a foundational prayer for this community has made a difference.”

Jackson shares another example of answered prayer which took place in a government office. Peter Hartgerink, with a couple of his co-workers, prayed for their workplace during last year’s campaign. A year later, they are still praying for their colleagues and have a new member in their prayer group.

“One member of the group is a new Christian who has been encouraged in his faith through this practical application of prayer and the fellowship with other believers.”

“I have gained a greater appreciation for the variety in our churches and the commitment of believers to see our city transformed,” says Douglas. “I am praying that this initiative will help us see how important it is to work together, as churches, to reach the people of Ottawa.”