Prayer Points 2024

Theme: “Lift Up the LIGHT”

Psalm 84:2,11 “With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God… For the LORD God is our light and protector.”

Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light — a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.”

Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O LORD, but to you goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.”

What is the theme, “Lift Up the Light”?

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

We lift up the Light in the heavenly realms when we praise and worship the Lord. Have you ever noticed how things begin to change when you say, “Praise God”, even quietly but deliberately? There is a response from heaven; sometimes it’s our own heart that becomes less hardened or more faith-filled; sometimes the circumstances shift. Heaven is all around us and our praise and worship glorifies God in that place!

We lift up the Light on earth when we pray for others, and God hears and answers our prayers! God is ready to give his guidance, provision, and intervention for the people of our city if we will ask. Our faith and God’s answers display who God is and what he is like — they raise his Light for others to see. May there be many more opportunities to give God credit for what he has done, and more anticipation of his promises yet to be fulfilled!

Sunday, January 21

The Church/Revival

Psalm 80:19 “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Psalm 72:18-19 “Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.”

Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Thank God for our amazing part, as the Church, in his plans. Thank him for the Light that shines in our lives and through us to others.

Please pray:

  • God in His mercy will pour out a spirit of repentance in Ottawa. God’s people be the first to be awakened
  • The Holy Spirit will move mightily in Ottawa and bring revival and transformation and a fresh outpouring of God’s power and presence in Ottawa
  • Believers will follow Him prayerfully, trusting in His faithfulness and obeying Him
  • Pastors and all clergy will be greatly strengthened in the Lord
  • Christians will be bold and yet loving in sharing publicly the Biblical perspective and wisdom.
  • Churches will reach many new people with the Good News
  • The Church in Ottawa to be generous in serving vulnerable people

       Take a moment to pray for one or two churches near your own. Pray for their pastors/clergy, by name if you can, for their strengthening and encouragement.

      Monday, January 22

      Public Authorities

      John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

      Proverbs 4:6 “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.”

      Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

      Thank God for the public authorities we have, and that He hears our prayers for them. 

      Please pray :

      • The Light of God’s love and wisdom will shine on Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City Council, all first responders, and those in authority over courts of law, schools, hospitals and health care, and detention centres.
      • They will listen to Godly advisors around them, and show good will toward their peers.
      • God will protect  their home lives and their families.
      • Public authorities – police and first responders – will receive healing from traumatic experiences in their work.
      • Members of  City Council, along with Mayor Sutcliffe, will keep working together in a spirit of unity.
      • Christians in these roles of authority will lift up God’s Light when opportunities arise
      • Those who are in authority to respond to God’s Light for salvation

       Take a moment to pray by name for your city councillor and any public authorities you know, for their peace, health and protection. You can use this tool to find your city councillor: Find My Councillor

      Tuesday, January 23

      Housing

      Isaiah 58:7 “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”

      Psalm 72:12-14 “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.”

      Galatians 2:10 “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”

      Thank God that he will help us when we turn our hearts toward people experiencing homelessness. 

      Canadians face a housing crisis, particularly among the needy and young people just starting out in life. Many Canadians cannot afford to own or rent accommodation.

      Please pray:

      • The City of Ottawa will meet the target of 100,000 new residences in the next 10 years.

      • All levels of government will take steps to support affordable housing so that everyone has a place to call home.

      • Governments will streamline the approval process so more houses and apartments can be built.

      • Christians will encourage their elected representatives at all levels to deal with the housing crisis.

      • Christian missions in Ottawa will receive sufficient funds to provide shelter for homeless people currently living on city streets.

      Take time to pray for those you know who are homeless or facing problems finding a place to live.

      Wednesday, January 24

      Workplaces

      Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

      Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

      Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

      Thank God that he has given Christians the opportunity to lift up the LIGHT in their workplaces. 

      Please pray:

      • A growing number of believers will prioritize reaching out to their workmates with God’s love in their work lives.

      • Believers will pray for fellow workers and reach out with concern and acts of kindness to those who are hurting and need help.

      • Christians in the workplace will support each other through prayer and meeting together.

      • Groups of believers will connect with and receive assistance from workplace ministries such as One Way Ministries’ Workplace Network and the Public Service Christian Fellowship.

      • Christians will share the gospel with fellow workers as opportunities arise in the office, at lunch and elsewhere.

      Take time to pray for people you know who are working.

      Thursday, January 25

      Mental Health

      Psalm 34:17-18 “The Lord hears his people when they call out to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

      Give thanks that God walks with us and rescues us in our deepest troubles. 

      The magazine Psychology Today says that mental health problems are afflicting a growing number of people in our society, including young people. Many Christians are struggling with emotional and mental issues and need our prayers and support.

      Please pray:

      • Christians will be channels of God’s love to those who are suffering from mental issues.

      • Wait times for care and counselling will greatly diminish, and no one in dire need will be turned away.

      • God will bring peace to those who are dealing with mental and emotional pressures.

      • Workers in high-pressure jobs will receive support and time to recover from mental concerns.

      • Christians will reach out to young people who are particularly vulnerable to mental and emotional problems.

      • Christian agencies and mental health institutions such as the Royal Ottawa Hospital will receive financial support to meet the needs of Ottawa residents.

      • Christian counsellors and others in mental health jobs will see God at work in the people they counsel.

      Remember to pray specifically for those you know are suffering severe emotional or mental problems.

      Friday, January 26

      Children, Youth & Young Adults 

      Isaiah 59:21 “‘As for me, this is my covenant with them,’ says the Lord. ‘My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,’ says the Lord.”

      Matthew 21:16b “‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?'” (Psalm 8:2)

      1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

      Thank God for his faithfulness to every generation, and for the children, youth and young adults in the Ottawa region. 

      Please pray for children and youth:

      • God’s Love and Light to shine on them; to know they are loved unconditionally
      • Those in poverty in Ottawa to have all the support and opportunities they need to thrive
      • Healthy development of their true identity and worth
      • Physical protection over schools, parks and other places they gather
      • Christian children and youth to grow strong in praise, worship and prayer

      For young adults:

      • To be strengthened by good mentors as they begin their adult lives
      • Christian young adults to be encouraged, to have opportunities to lead, and to grow in wisdom
      • Christian young adults to lead many peers to Christ

      Please remember to pray for the children, youth and young adults you know.

      Saturday, January 27

      Health Care

      Jeremiah 17:14 “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

      Psalm 103:2-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

      A crisis is gripping the health care system. Hospitals are short of staff including doctors and nurses, surgeries are delayed, many Canadians are without family doctors. The personal toll on medical workers is high.

      Please pray for:

      •  The Lord will give doctors, nurses and other medical staff the strength to continue serving the sick.
      • Christian medical workers will be an island of peace, encouragement and the love of Christ wherever they work.
      • More doctors and nurses will be hired and set up practice – including accrediting new Canadians who are already trained.
      • The backlog of surgeries will be cleared up so that the sick can get treatment in good time
      • Everyone will have access to a family doctor.

      Please remember to pray for medical workers you know – doctors, nurses, medics and others.