“This is a statement, spiritually, that we commit ourselves to stand together as one body.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

With Canada in a pivotal season, local and national leaders are calling for a prayer gathering on a level unseen in Ottawa for the past 10 years.

“Our nation is poised for change. There is such an urgency to respond and restore righteousness. This can only be accomplished together in unity,” says Mark Redner who, with his wife Kiwanda, pastored for years in the Ottawa Valley and led prayer gatherings in Ottawa and across Canada. “This is a time where each voice is needed to shift our nation.”

A large group of national and regional ministries, including Watchmen for the Nations Canada, V-Kol Media, and the National House of Prayer are collaborating to host “As One” from August 7 to 10, at the Shaw Centre, in the heart of Ottawa.

“So many national ministries are choosing to walk together,” Redner says, “laying down their agendas and answering Jesus’ prayer in John 17.”

“We lean on Psalm 133, with the promised blessing that comes out of the unity of the brethren.”

Organizers are clear that As One is not about politics. There will be prayer for the upcoming election, but this is not about praying for a political or denominational agenda.

“Ultimately, it’s just seeking the face of the Lord for this nation and how we, as one body, stand together in the name of the Lord,” explains Fran Parker, of the National House of Prayer.

In addition to corporate prayer, the event will feature French and English worship teams, and some teaching. Organizers say they hope the diversity of believers represented reflects the diversity of Canadian society.

“We lean on Psalm 133, with the promised blessing that comes out of the unity of the brethren,” says Hany Boghossian, Chair of Mission GTA, which helps build unity among churches in the Toronto area. “We expect that those who are gathered, being a representation of the broader Body of Christ across the nation, would enter into a higher level of unity in their Christian experience and that that would be a seed for more unity in the broader body of Christ.”

“There are certain non-negotiables, as believers, that we stand for. That is what we come together on.”

Parker says there has been a growing wave of regional prayer gatherings across Canada in the last few years. As One grew out of those, but this growing trend is also part of a global movement of prayer and unity in the Body of Christ.

“I think there is a sense that has grown that we can’t go it alone,” says Parker. “It’s not just unity for the sake of ‘it looks good’ or to have a nice time. This is more a statement, spiritually, that we commit ourselves to stand together as one body, for God’s purposes.

“How can we fulfill His purposes if we are not willing to come together as one? I’m not talking about compromising biblical truth, it is the opposite. There are certain non-negotiables, as believers, that we stand for. That is what we come together on. All I can say is you will come away [from the As One event] knowing that God is in our midst.”