Church of the Ascension, OttawaA #heartbeatprayer from the Diocese of Ottawa
O Lord, you have called us to be your church. We pray that we may create a space where all are welcome, all are included, and all feel at home. We pray that we might listen to each other with the ear of our heart, knowing it is the size of our hearts which matters to you, O Lord.
We believe that you are always with us and guiding us. We pray that our church is a place where that belief is made manifest, that through church we can see your work in the world.
We pray that the church can embrace those who are searching, and meet them with grace. We pray that when your church stumbles or sins, it can learn, practice repentance and forgiveness, and seek to renew itself.
O Lord, you told us, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We pray that when people see your church, they see love. We pray that we can extend that love beyond our church walls out into your world.