Pray Ottawa

Weekly Prayer Point: City Representatives Ottawa’s elected representatives need our prayers. Ottawa City councillors and federal and provincial representatives locally are intimately involved in helping constituents with their needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the list of issues.... They must help their electors with federal, provincial and city programs and guidelines designed to stop the pandemic from spreading and to assist those who are affected economically and in other ways. For example, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and city councillors oversee implementation of COVID-19 guidelines in the city. Dr. Merrilee Fullerton represents Kanata-Carleton in the provincial government and heads the Ministry of Long-Term Care, a key ministry in dealing with the pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford play central roles in combatting the pandemic. Meanwhile, the regular work of our political representatives must continue. Along with work issues, please pray for the personal needs of our councillors, members of the federal parliament and members of the provincial parliament. For instance, Catherine Kitts has just been elected as councillor of Cumberland Ward in a bye-election and Councillor Diane Deans recently returned to work after successfully fighting ovarian cancer. Let us pray: That God will give our political representatives strength and good health so that they can carry out their duties. For protection of the family lives of our city councillors and federal and provincial representatives. For God to bestow his wisdom and revelation on our leaders, and a range of wise advisers to help their plans succeed (Proverbs 15:22). For unity at City Hall and a conciliatory approach in their discussions with one another. For Catherine Kitts as she embarks on her new civic duties and for Councillor Diane Deans as she returns to work. That our elected representatives will seek God’s face with all their heart, and find him (Jeremiah 29:13). Thank you for praying for a transformed city.

Weekly Prayer Point - Mental Health As the Respond Ottawa team has been diligently seeking the best ways to serve the city during the pandemic, escalating mental health needs have become an obvious area. This afternoon, they will be offering a special gathering for pastors and leaders to hear from experienced leaders in this field, some Q & A, and prayer. The goal is to bring the needs into focus, equip pastors and the church, and offer hope and courage to become a true sourc...e of help. 1. Thank God for this encouraging equipping event. Pray that everyone’s technology and internet work smoothly, and that many leaders will attend. 2. Pray for people who are near to us, e.g. in our churches and other social spheres, who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other ways that mental illness can affect people. Pray that they will not feel alone in their struggle, and that real process of healing will increase. 3. Intercede that people who struggle with addictions will have new hope and strength. Pray for their counsellors, family members and close relationships, that God would empower them to be a help in times of need. 4. Take a moment to pray for yourself. Ask God to bring you fresh water for your soul and spirit. Ask him to take the weight of the concerns you are carrying, because he cares for you! Thank you for praying for a transformed city.

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Check out what our good friends at BHHOP are up to! They have a great Prayer Walk underway all this week.

Weekly Prayer Point - Friends for Dinner Is On! International students enjoy fellowship with Canadians, particularly during special holidays like Thanksgiving. But the COVID-19 pandemic has limited contacts with these students who are far from home. ... Gabe McReynolds of Friends for Dinner says his group has come up with a solution - a virtual dinner on line. Canadian hosts can register up to October 4 at friendsfordinner.ca. They will be assigned one or more students. Students will register separately and be matched with hosts. Hosts can either cook or purchase a dinner and deliver it to the students. Then, students and hosts can connect via the video service Zoom and enjoy the dinner together on line. Guidelines on how to host students in this way are available here. Please pray that: *God will arrange many Thanksgiving gatherings for international students in Ottawa. *Churches and individuals will seize this opportunity to create lasting relationships with international students. *Conversations about Jesus will break out at many Thanksgiving meals throughout the city. *International students will be blessed by the love and interest of Christian families at Thanksgiving. Thank you for praying for a transformed city.