Praying for Ottawa

Ottawa, ON Quick Facts:

Population: 934,000 (2016 census)

Religious Groups (%): (2011 stats)

Christian 65.4 % (predominantly RC);

Islam 6.7%;

No religion 22.8%

Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria in the mid 19th Century to serve as the Capital of Canada. As such it attracts thousands of visitors per year to tour the Houses of Parliament and to skate on the Rideau Canal. Located along the Ontario side of the Ottawa River, the waterway forms the natural boundary between the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec; the two are connected by several bridges.

Number of mosques: 31      www.salatomatic.com

Number of churches: 133

Pray:

Thank God that we see an increasing awareness of Christians reaching out in friendship to Muslim people. Church Leaders are initiating intentional ministries to facilitate this increase in love and friendship.

Ministries:

"Hope Community" offers ESL and childcare to newcomers to the City.

A Korean Church and an Arabic Church, (with other churches being approached to participate), are running monthly 1-hour programs they call "Heavenly Bread Ministries" where newcomers, mostly Muslim, are singing Christian songs, hearing a Gospel message, enjoying refreshments and a gift of canned food and often choosing to attend church where they can listen and participate in Arabic. Pray for this ministry to be effective.

A course called "Bridges" is assisting Christians to become more able to engage with Muslim friends and neighbours.

Please pray for:

• more facilitators of Bridges,
• more workers to seek the involvement of churches, and
• for the Holy Spirit to move more church leaders to encourage prayer for their neighbouring mosque communities.