“There is something that only happens when the Church comes together and prays.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

A move of prayer and unity is stirring in Canada. Across the country, leaders from different denominations feel called to come together in humble prayer. Now, five national and international ministries have joined forces to call the Church together to worship and pray for spiritual awakening.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, National House of Prayer, Vineyard Canada, and Peace and Reconciliation Network are organizing four “Ignite” events to seek God, starting in Ottawa, on April 14.

“Everywhere we go, we see citywide prayers growing,” says Chris Byberg, Executive Director at the National House of Prayer. “There is a hunger for more of God right now. We see it in many denominations across the spectrum. Our hope is these Ignite events would add to the awakening and the unity that we see.”

The Ottawa Ignite event will take place at Arlington Woods Free Methodist Church. It starts with an afternoon seminar for pastors and ministry leaders, focused on establishing a culture of prayer in the Church. The organizing ministries arranged a free dinner for the leaders who register by March 31, and the evening wraps up with worship, open for everyone, led by Davis Ruis.

“No one ministry is looking for attention. Rather, there is a lowering of our banners to raise the only banner that is important, and that is the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Roger Helland, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s prayer ambassador, says the afternoon sessions aim to bring practical instruction and inspiration on how to become praying churches.

“[The speakers] are experienced and respected pastors who have demonstrated results in cultivating a culture of prayer in their local churches and are, themselves, devoted to prayer and spiritual renewal, with integrity and humility.”

He adds that the organizers have no agenda to promote their ministries, books, or raise funds—the event has one goal: “Humble, holy, prayer to seek God’s presence. Jesus is the focus.”

Deep unity is a key aim and desire from the Ignite events. Byberg emphasises that unity leads to revival, as ministries lift Jesus up, rather than their own agendas. He says that is being modeled in these events.

“No one ministry is looking for attention. Rather, there is a lowering of our banners to raise the only banner that is important, and that is the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

They also see great hunger for unity in the response from Ottawa leaders, as Byberg says they had to increase the threshold to accommodate all those who registered.

“The world needs to see the church unified and this is such a great opportunity to be part of the larger Church,” adds Pastor Mike Hogeboom of Arlington Woods. “There is something that only happens when the Church comes together and prays.”

The event holds special significance for Arlington Woods. The church building was devastated by the 2018 tornados, but used the opportunity to renovate significantly so they could use the building more effectively for the community. “We would not have been able to partner in this event a year ago. To be asked now is an incredible thrill.”

Hogeboom expects 200 leaders for the seminar and dinner, with possibly 500 for the evening worship.

“I’ve been really encouraged and blessed to know that this response is happening,” says Sarah Jackson, the Pray Ottawa lead. “I feel like it’s a good converging of pastors being really interested and open, and wanting some help in this area, and some really great people who can equip for that. It’s well timed and I think the people coming have a lot to offer.

“The Friday night is going to be a really wonderful blend of extended worship and prayer. It’s been a while since we had a big gathering of that nature. I just think everybody should come.”