This site was desiged for standard modern browsers. Please upgrade your internet browser to Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

An Invitation to Pray

Lorna Johnston /Saturday, March 30, 2024

An Invitation to Pray  

This Sunday we celebrate Easter, remembering the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. On that Resurrection Day everything changed. But it wasn’t until the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, that the power of that change was fully realized in the early disciples’ lives.

We need that same power to be at work in our efforts as the Simply Mobilizing family in Canada to awaken the church, the ‘sleeping giant’.  Our mobilization efforts shifted online during the pandemic, and much good has come from that. But the Canadian context and the Canadian church have changed. How shall we respond to these changes? 

Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday (March 31st - May 19th)

While we are scattered across Canada, we want to pray TOGETHER. There are several ways we hope to facilitate that: 

  1. All Together Online: Mark your calendars and join us.
    • Tuesday, April 2nd - 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET: Register for this event on Course Manager and the link will be sent to you.
    • Wednesday, May 15th - 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET Register for this event on Course Manager and the link will be sent to you.
       
  2. Together in Regional or Language Group Gatherings: In person or online.
    • Check with your Coordinator to find out more.
       
  3. Together Each Day: Set your alarm and pray together:
    • 10:02 – Luke 10:2 invites us to pray that the Lord of the Harvest will thrust out workers.
    • 15:02 – John 15:2 reminds us that the Father is a master gardener who prunes what is unfruitful so that we will be more fruitful.
       
  4. Together Each Week: Using our prayer themes, which we will be posting weekly (the first week is below).
     

As you pray together with us during this season, I invite you to pray LARGE prayers. Prayers of vision and boldness. Prayers that will only be answered if the Lord moves in powerful ways. Prayers that require faith to pray and long for transformation. Ask for the impossible from our God!
 

WEEK ONE: Repentance and Restoration

March 31st - April 6th

Scripture focus: Revelation 3:14-22

  • Pray for a deep repentance among God’s people for our loss of love for Him, for lukewarmness and compromise with our culture. Pray that we will listen to Jesus’ voice and open the door to His Spirit to do a transforming work in our lives so that we might be passionate about the things of God.
     
  • Pray for the Church in Canada, particularly for the restoration of momentum in the mission of God. Pray for a purifying of hearts and passion and commitment to God’s Kingdom coming. Pray for perseverance and encouragement for Simply Mobilizing team members.
     

Lorna Johnston is the Diaspora Ministries Leader at Outreach Canada. She leads two national teams -- Simply Mobilizing Canada (SMC) and Loving Muslims Together (LMT). She works with teams of diverse and experienced leaders and ministries across Canada to alert and activate the church in Canada to the changing opportunities to engage God's mission right here in Canada.

print


Show All Blogs

An Invitation to Pray: Week 4

An Invitation to Pray
WEEK FOUR: Prayer for Empowered Teams

During the sacred period between Easter and Pentecost, our prayer focus turns to teams trained and empowered by Jesus for their mission. This time commemorates the disciples' receiving of the Holy Spirit, igniting a fervent prayer for modern-day teams to be similarly equipped for their tasks. As believers unite in prayer, they seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and boost these teams in their endeavours.

An Invitation to Pray: Week 3

An Invitation to Pray

In this time between Easter and Pentecost, let's embrace the strength of communal prayer. Just as the early followers assembled with one purpose, let's raise our voices in harmony, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and blessings. During this third week, let's lift up prayers for the mobilization efforts to flourish, seeking opportunities for collaboration and fruitful partnerships in reaching diverse communities across Canada.

An Invitation to Pray: Week 2

An Invitation to Pray

As we journey through the sacred season between Easter and Pentecost, let us come together, Christians united in faith, to embrace the power of collective prayer. In this second week of our initiative, let us deepen our commitment to intercede for our communities, nations, and the world at large. Let us not underestimate the impact of our collective supplications, for in unity, our prayers resonate with greater resonance before the throne of God. Join us in this sacred endeavor, as we strive to be vessels of love, peace, and healing in a world yearning for divine intervention.

An Invitation to Pray

Join the SM family in Canada in a Season of Prayer: Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday (March 31-May 19)

This Sunday we celebrate Easter, remembering the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. On that Resurrection Day everything changed. But it wasn’t until the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, that the power of that change was fully realized in the early disciples’ lives.

We need that same power to be at work in our efforts as the Simply Mobilizing family in Canada to awaken the church, the ‘sleeping giant’.  Our mobilization efforts shifted online during the pandemic, and much good has come from that. But the Canadian context and the Canadian church have changed. How shall we respond to these changes? 

Nowruz Mobarak! Happy New Year!

Nowruz Mobarak! Happy New Year!

For many in the northern hemisphere, the first day of Spring (this year falling on March 19th) is a cause for hope and anticipation. Warmer weather, sunshine, and outdoor living is just around the corner.

But for people from places that have been influenced by Persian culture, such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, and the countries of Central Asia the spring equinox marks Nowruz, their New Years Day, and the start of thirteen days of celebration.

While the celebration of Nowruz varies between ethnic communities, it is an important celebration—including among the diaspora here in Canada. Perhaps even some of your neighbours are celebrating Nowruz?

Here are some ways to pray for those who are celebrating Nowruz

Love Your Muslim Neighbours this Ramadan: Ways to Pray and Engage

Why do Christians Pray for Muslims During Ramadan?

During the month of Ramadan Muslims devote a lot of time to prayer and fasting, seeking Allah’s favour and the purification of their sins, though they are never sure if they have been forgiven or if what they have done is ever enough. Muslims everywhere are seeking God’s approval through a system of works, and yet, they don’t have assurance of their salvation and forgiveness.

As Fouad Masri, the founder of Crescent Project, puts it: “For followers of Jesus, Ramadan is an opportunity to focus on God’s heart for Muslim people, many of whom are desperately seeking God’s approval through a system of works.”

Discover Opportunities to Pray and Engage with Muslims During Ramadan!

Empowered to Influence: Part 3

Paradigm 3 – Worship that Adds Value to Communities

Most unchurched people wouldn’t imagine participating in one of our events because we are completely irrelevant to them. In this third paradigm, Ken Chua explores the shift in thinking that we, as Christ-followers, must make to have any relevance or attract the interest of those in our community.