Any Great Work of God Begins with Prayer
By Ryan Dawson
Any great work of God begins with prayer.
When God’s people pray—truly pray—He moves heaven and earth in ways we cannot always see or imagine. We see this so clearly in the story of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, his first response wasn’t action but prayer. He fell to his knees and cried out to God on behalf of his people and his city. And he didn’t stop there—he carried this burden before God for four long months. Even when God seemed slow and silent, Nehemiah kept praying. Then, at just the right time, God opened a door of favour with the Persian king, providing the authority and resources needed to rebuild. The renewal of a city began with the prayers of one man.
As a church, we too are called to be Christ’s ambassadors. Our confidence isn’t in our own ability, strategy, or effort—but in the grace of God and the power of His Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord. This is just as true for us today as it was for Nehemiah in his day.
That’s why this Sunday (Sept. 21) we are gathering for our All Church Prayer Summit, from 7–9pm at Ottawa Christian School. This is a vital opportunity for us to come together as a church family to seek the Lord, to be encouraged, and to depend on God for His leading and direction. I want to encourage you to join us so we can pray together and everyone is welcome!
Here are some ways we can be praying—both personally and together as a church:
• Praise God for His grace, love, and faithfulness.
• Thank Him for the cross and the forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ.
• Ask God to give us a hunger for His Word and the courage to stand on His promises.
• Pray that our hearts would break for the things that break His.
• Ask God to bring renewal, joy, freedom, and revival in Sequoia and in the churches across our city.
• Pray that God would open doors and reveal His plans for our church.
• Pray for God to give us opportunities to share the hope we have and the boldness to proclaim the goodness of Jesus.
• Pray for God’s blessing on our city and that we would see many come to Christ.
• Pray for students, teachers, seniors, and those who support them.
• Pray for first responders and health care workers.
• Ask God to grant wisdom to our municipal, provincial, and federal leaders.
God promises to hear and respond when His people pray. Let’s believe that He will move in powerful ways as we seek Him. I look forward to praying with you and for you on Sunday.
Blessings, Ryan
Any great work of God begins with prayer.
When God’s people pray—truly pray—He moves heaven and earth in ways we cannot always see or imagine. We see this so clearly in the story of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, his first response wasn’t action but prayer. He fell to his knees and cried out to God on behalf of his people and his city. And he didn’t stop there—he carried this burden before God for four long months. Even when God seemed slow and silent, Nehemiah kept praying. Then, at just the right time, God opened a door of favour with the Persian king, providing the authority and resources needed to rebuild. The renewal of a city began with the prayers of one man.
As a church, we too are called to be Christ’s ambassadors. Our confidence isn’t in our own ability, strategy, or effort—but in the grace of God and the power of His Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord. This is just as true for us today as it was for Nehemiah in his day.
That’s why this Sunday (Sept. 21) we are gathering for our All Church Prayer Summit, from 7–9pm at Ottawa Christian School. This is a vital opportunity for us to come together as a church family to seek the Lord, to be encouraged, and to depend on God for His leading and direction. I want to encourage you to join us so we can pray together and everyone is welcome!
Here are some ways we can be praying—both personally and together as a church:
• Praise God for His grace, love, and faithfulness.
• Thank Him for the cross and the forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ.
• Ask God to give us a hunger for His Word and the courage to stand on His promises.
• Pray that our hearts would break for the things that break His.
• Ask God to bring renewal, joy, freedom, and revival in Sequoia and in the churches across our city.
• Pray that God would open doors and reveal His plans for our church.
• Pray for God to give us opportunities to share the hope we have and the boldness to proclaim the goodness of Jesus.
• Pray for God’s blessing on our city and that we would see many come to Christ.
• Pray for students, teachers, seniors, and those who support them.
• Pray for first responders and health care workers.
• Ask God to grant wisdom to our municipal, provincial, and federal leaders.
God promises to hear and respond when His people pray. Let’s believe that He will move in powerful ways as we seek Him. I look forward to praying with you and for you on Sunday.
Blessings, Ryan