“Prayer must be at the foundation of all we do”

David Kitz
Special to Spur Ottawa

As 2015 draws to a close our minds quite naturally turn to thoughts of New Year’s resolutions and personal goals we wish to pursue in the year ahead. For many Christians, an improved prayer life is a noble goal. All too often it’s an aspirational goal that never moves beyond good intentions.

But this past year, for some in Ottawa, a vibrant prayer life has moved beyond aspiration. It became a daily reality because of a prayer gathering that met every evening throughout 2015.

Nahia Haddad was one of the people who wanted to see prayer take a more central place in her life and the life of her church. As 2014 drew to a close she did something about that desire. She began earnestly seeking God about how she could facilitate prayer in her church and community.

For a number of years, Haddad has been part of the team organizing the Global Day of Prayer here in Ottawa. Above all, she wanted to see the Church empowered to spread the gospel like on the Day of Pentecost. Over the years she has seen little evidence of Holy Spirit empowerment, though this year there was a significant growth in numbers attending the Global Day of Prayer.

As she brought this before the Lord, she sensed God saying, “They [the Church in Ottawa] need to return to their first love.”

During these times of personal intercession Haddad also felt called to start a house of prayer. At first she planned to run it from her home, in Orleans, but after discussing the idea with her pastor, Bill Buitenwerf of East Gate Alliance Church, they decided the prayer ministry should meet in one of the church’s meeting rooms.

Buitenwerf, like many pastors, was also looking for ways to encourage prayer in his church.

“Prayer must be at the foundation of all we do,” he says. “It needs to be strengthened.”

Burning Hearts House of Prayer does not see itself simply as an extension ministry of East Gate Alliance.

“This is for the whole body of Christ,” Haddad states. “We want people from other churches to come, be involved, and even take leadership roles. Our theme verse states, ‘for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’” (Isaiah 56:7)

Eric Yang is one of Burning Hearts’ more actively involved participants. For many months he attended every prayer meeting, every night of the week.

“Peace” is the reason he says he attended so consistently. “The presence of the Lord brings peace.”

Yang even testifies of a miraculous physical healing from kidney failure that he attributes to answered prayer.

“But beyond that, I have learned so much about the Lord in this past year,” he says. “I just want to know Him.”

Burning Hearts House of Prayer marks a full year of nightly prayer meetings in early January.  For Haddad, Burning Hearts is about creating a culture of prayer that continues until the Lord’s return.

Sarah Jackson, the prayer coordinator for Love Ottawa, sees Burning Hearts as one of several exciting prayer initiatives taking shape in Ottawa.

“People are discovering the necessity and joy of prayer,” she says.

Through such initiatives a vibrant prayer life may become more than just an aspirational goal. For those willing to get involved, in 2016 it can become a reality.