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Prayer is a powerful tool that God has given us. We can use it to further our relationship with God, discern his will for the future, present our petitions, lament and confess our transgressions, and praise him for all that he does for us. 

The CRCNA has several resources to help you in your prayer life, the ministries of the CRCNA also covet your prayers in support of ongoing work. 

Join others in praying for synod each year. There is a 40 days of prayer guide in the lead up to synod, as well as opportunities to pray during the event itself. 

The CRC Prayer Guide offers another way to pray for our shared ministry as a denomination, with specific prayer requests for each day of the year. View these prayer requests below, download printer-friendly versions, or get them delivered to your email inbox (choose to receive them daily, weekly, or once a month).

You may also be interested in the prayer section of The Network and the CRC News weekly email.

April 2024: Regular SizeLarge Print
March 2024: Regular SizeLarge Print

Friday March 1
from: Calvin Theological Seminary: Exams

Senior students will be taking their oral comprehensive exams this month as they prepare for graduation and ministry beyond seminary. Pray that the exams will not cause undue anxiety but will bless these students in recalling how much they have learned in their studies.

Saturday March 2
from: Thrive: Interclassis Safe Church Conference

Pray for attendees and presenters at the Interclassis Safe Church Conference taking place today in Ontario. As participants are equipped in abuse awareness, prevention, and response, they are encouraged to build communities where the value of each person is honored, where people are free to worship and grow in faith free from abuse, and where the response to abuse is compassion and justice, which foster healing.

Sunday March 3
from: Resonate Global Mission: Volunteers

“We praise God for volunteers serving in more than 15 countries around the world. Pray for them as they serve and as they return to their sending communities—that they may have opportunities to share what they have learned and in turn bless those who have sent them,” asks Gillian Bruce, Resonate’s volunteer programs leader.

Monday March 4
from: World Renew: Weather

Across Latin America and southern Africa, the rainy season has come, but many regions are receiving less than average rainfall, leading to poor harvests. Pray that more rain may come and that the crops harvested will be sufficient for each family's needs until the next season. Give thanks that fewer hurricanes and floods have come this year, and pray for tranquility in the coming year.

Tuesday March 5
from: ReFrame Ministries: Taiwan

Jerry An, our Chinese ministry leader, shared, “After recent presidential elections in Taiwan, we are expecting the relationship between Taiwan and China to further deteriorate. Please pray. Pray also as our Chinese ministry team works on a related project called “Under the Shadow of War,” a biblical response for the worldwide Chinese church.

Wednesday March 6
from: Resonate: Cambodia

Many people have decided to follow Jesus through Resonate’s ministry in Cambodia. “Please pray that new believers may have the opportunity to study the Word of God and increase their faith,” ask Resonate missionaries Ly Chhay and Navy Chann-Chhay.

Thursday March 7
from: Calvin University: Students

Rejoice with us for increased enrollment, vibrant campus ministries, and faculty and staff who disciple students daily. Pray with us as prospective students receive aid packages soon and make decisions about where to attend. Pray for a large incoming class full of young adults who love the Lord and long to serve him!

Friday March 8
from: Thrive: Hospice

Hospice chaplains assess and care for the spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones. Anticipatory grief is an ever-present reality in this setting. Often questions about God, eternity, and concern for loved ones left behind are raised. Pray for our chaplains who walk with individuals and families in these settings while sharing the peace and love of God.

Saturday March 9
from: Resonate: Spain

“We praise God for the friendships we have made in our community with Spanish nonbelievers and for the opportunity we are having to share with them about our ministry and our faith!” say Resonate missionaries Gary and Rachel De León, who serve in Spain.

Sunday March 10
from: World Renew: Trauma healing

Participants we encounter often feel “stuck” as they try to process their experiences of illness, loss, abuse, terror, or violence. World Renew’s trauma-healing programs are able to reach people in many communities—both for healing and to train facilitators. Please pray that the peace of Christ may heal all who are hurting so that they can move forward in hope.

Monday March 11
from: ReFrame: India

Pray for members of ReFrame’s Hindi ministry team who follow up with listeners and visit their villages. “Pray that the team may guide listeners properly in discipleship and lead them to churches,” shared our Hindi ministry leader.

Tuesday March 12
from: Resonate: North America

Resonate and the denomination helped to plant eleven new churches within the past year throughout Canada and the United States. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw people into these faith communities. Pray for open doors into communities so that these churches may share the love of Christ.

Wednesday March 13
from: Thrive: CRC Annual Day of Prayer

Synod has designated the second Wednesday in March as the Annual Day of Prayer. On this day each year, all CRC congregations are requested to take time to ask for God’s blessing on the world, our nations and communities, crops and industry, and the church worldwide.

Thursday March 14
from: Candidacy Committee: Prospective candidates

We give thanks for the men and women working toward candidacy in 2024! Please join us in prayer asking the Lord to lead and counsel them as they take their next steps toward a call. In Psalm 32:8 the Lord says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Friday March 15
from: ReFrame: Egypt

ReFrame’s Arabic ministry team is partnering with churches in Egypt to offer Christian media content and free wifi at several church locations. Pray that this new initiative will open doors to conversations and questions about Jesus in the Arabic-speaking world.

Saturday March 16
from: Resonate: Chicago

Agape and Ecclesia, a Resonate partner campus ministry at Loyola University in Chicago, started Explore Groups as a way to provide safe spaces for students to explore faith and deeper questions in life. Ask God to work through these groups to reveal the love and hope of the gospel to people searching for meaning and purpose.

Sunday March 17
from: Thrive: Middle East

Prayer for lasting peace in the Middle East: God of peace, God who loves us and who loves the people of Israel and Palestine, God who loves the powerless and the powerful alike, we cry out to you. Bring your salvation near to us, O Lord. We pray for an end to hostage taking and killings. We pray for an end to vengeance, terror, and threats. Amen!

Monday March 18
from: Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee: Synod preparations

Father God, Creator of this great and beautiful world we live in, we come to you with joy anticipating synod and our international guests who will be joining us. Thank you for this opportunity to worship with, to learn from, and to grow with brothers and sisters in Christ in your global church.

Tuesday March 19
from: World Renew: Economic stability

In many of the regions where World Renew serves, economic instability is an increasing challenge due to lasting effects of the global pandemic and various conflicts. At times even the fuel required to visit communities is difficult for staff to find, due to short supply. Ask for God’s provision and stability in tumultuous times.

Wednesday March 20
from: Resonate: Middle East

Resonate missionaries serving in the Middle East give thanks for a new center where refugees can come together, serve one another, and create opportunities to spread the gospel. Ask God with us to work through this center.

Thursday March 21
from: ReFrame: Today devotions

Pray with a woman named Karen as she continues cancer treatment. She shared, “God bless those who minister to people in need of comfort. A kind minister prayed with me before I went in for cancer treatment. She clasped my hands in prayer and gave me much comfort. She shared a copy of the Today devotions with me.”

Friday March 22
from: Resonate: Mexico

David Gifford, a Resonate missionary in Mexico, recently worked with COMPA campus ministry to lead a workshop with 12 university students. “They shared their opinions freely, asked a lot of questions, and took a lot of notes,” said David. Give thanks for these students who are passionate about growing in and sharing their faith!

Saturday March 23
from: ReFrame: Devotional resources

Pray for people who are reading our Today devotions or special Lenten series for the first time. Pray that they’ll continue to read Scripture and apply it to their lives after Easter celebrations.

Sunday March 24
from: Communications: Palm Sunday

Crowds celebrated Jesus’ presence as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem on the day we now call Palm Sunday. But they did not understand his mission, and they called for his death a few days later. As we enter into Holy Week, ask God to help us better understand his mission in this world and to join him in it.

Monday March 25
from: World Renew: Gift catalog

We give thanks for all who gave generously this year through the World Renew Gift Catalog. As the gifts reach the participants in our programs, pray with us that community members receiving goats, chickens, nutrition kits, water filters, soap, bicycles, and so much more may find renewed hope in the kindness of God’s global family.

Tuesday March 26
from: ReFrame: Japan

Pray for a Japanese ministry listener in Japan who shared, “I have anxiety and feel extremely depressed before going to work and after work. Last year I made a notebook with Bible verses written in it, and that helps to calm me down before heading out.”

Wednesday March 27
from: Justice Ministries: Indigenous ministry

The CRCNA supports three urban Indigenous ministries in Canada working in areas of great need in Regina, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. In 2023, Indigenous Christian Fellowship, for example, provided over 3,800 soup and bannock meals, more than 700 of which went to mobility challenged people. Please pray for the staff who run these programs and for the people walking through their doors.

Thursday March 28
from: World Renew: Unity

We praise God that World Renew’s team, spanning over two dozen countries, works together as one as we seek to live justly and love mercy. Pray that as we work in partnership with churches and other organizations around the world that we will be unified in our goals and vision to serve Christ.

Friday March 29
from: Communications: Good Friday

Today we remember Jesus’ suffering and death to atone for all our sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of believers to share the good news of redemption, and in the hearts of all who hear so that they may believe and find life in Christ.

Saturday March 30
from: Communications: Holy Saturday

This day between Good Friday and Easter provides a time to reflect on the story of salvation. We live in “the already, but not yet” state of salvation as we celebrate Christ’s finished work for us and await the fullness of life upon his coming again. Ask God to help us serve faithfully in this time.

Sunday March 31
from: Resonate: Easter Sunday

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today, let us give thanks for the good news of God’s amazing plan to redeem all of creation. Please pray with us as we seek to support and equip Christian Reformed churches and members joining God on mission. Ask the Holy Spirit for courage, wisdom, and guidance as our denomination shares the love of Christ.

Monday April 1
from: ReFrame Ministries: Chinese ministry

A new video series from ReFrame’s Chinese ministry team aims to equip Chinese speakers with new ideas for using media to share the Christian faith. Pray that Chinese-speaking believers will have access to the new video series and gain new skills to share their faith.

Tuesday April 2
from: Thrive: Germany

Please pray for overseas military chaplain Raidel Leon Martinez (Air Force), who serves in Germany. Pray for protection, strength, and resiliency as he attends to the spiritual needs of many service members during this volatile time in Eastern Europe.

Wednesday April 3
from: Resonate Global Mission: North America

Give thanks for Pastor Obelto Cherubin, who is working with Resonate and Classis Southeast U.S. to plant churches with Haitians living in North America. Please ask God to guide and provide for this work.

Thursday April 4
from: World Renew: Laos

Praise God with us that Laos remains stable politically. The economy, however, has struggled since the global pandemic. Currency depreciation has brought many challenges to people’s livelihoods. Despite these difficulties, World Renew is still at work in many vulnerable communities. Please pray for economic stability in the region and for prosperity for struggling families.

Friday April 5
from: Calvin Theological Seminary: Handlon prison

The seminary teaches and works with men in the Handlon prison in Ionia, Mich., through partnerships with the Celebration Fellowship congregation and with Calvin University in the Calvin Prison Initiative. Pray for the students as they learn and minister in their context.

Saturday April 6
from: Resonate: Missionaries

Pray for all of the Resonate missionaries who recently moved to their fields and are settling in, building relationships, and learning the local language.

Sunday April 7
from: ReFrame: English Ministry

As the author of April’s Today devotions, Darrell Delaney is offering practical biblical advice for the many challenges Christians face today. Pray that Darrell’s words—both in the Today reflections and at a live online event for readers—will help more people look to Scripture for God’s wisdom and advice.

Monday April 8
from: Thrive: Gather: Minneapolis

Pray for organizers as they prepare for the inaugural Gather event taking place in Minnesota later this month (Apr. 19-21). In this first of ten planned events, five Christian Reformed classes are coming together to bear witness to God’s work in their local contexts and to discern where God may be leading them into renewed ministry and mission.

Tuesday April 9
from: Resonate: Alberta

“Several students are asking a lot of questions about church and Christianity. I invite them to services and other ministry events, but so far they have not attended. . . . I’m praying the Holy Spirit will break through their hesitancy and resistance and move them forward in their spiritual journeys," shared George Koopmans, a Resonate partner campus minister at Medicine Hat College.

Wednesday April 10
from: World Renew: Gaza

In grief-filled prayer we stand alongside people in the Gaza region experiencing unfathomable suffering. We pray that all may “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). May God’s peace reign to help us be instruments of his peace, seeing all people as his imagebearers, worthy of love.

Thursday April 11
from: Indigenous Christian Fellowship: Programming

Due to staff transitions and COVID restrictions, our Home Fires Family Youth activities remain significantly limited. Ask the Creator’s Spirit to bless staff and volunteers with insight, passion, creativity, and love as they develop and deliver culturally appropriate programs to inner-city Indigenous families.

Friday April 12
from: Resonate: Lithuania

“Please continue to pray for peace in all of the regions our students come from, asking that they will become peacemakers,” say Resonate missionaries Tricia and Benjamin Groenewold Van Dyk serving at LCC International University. LCC welcomes students from Ukraine and many other countries experiencing war and conflict right now.

Saturday April 13
from: ReFrame: India

ReFrame’s Hindi ministry leader in northern India asks you to pray for Christians in Bihar. “Recently some incidents resulted in violence against Christian pastors,” he shared. “There is an increase in the violent interruption of Sunday worship.”

Sunday April 14
from: Thrive: Abuse Awareness Sunday

“In every anxious thought we have, in all our current chaos and uncertainty, in every war that is raging in and around us . . . In all the . . . conflict we experience with one another . . . In every active struggle against injustice, in every hurt that yearns for healing: may the peace of Christ rest upon us and be our comfort today” (Haley Montgomery).

Monday April 15
from: Resonate: Michigan

A Resonate partner church planter in Michigan is giving thanks that two women have started attending church, reading the Bible, and praying faithfully. “It was so exciting to see the growth and joy in these women. We are anticipating baptizing them this summer,” said the church planter.

Tuesday April 16
from: World Renew: Creation care

Praise God with us for the ever-growing number of churches partnering with our Climate Witness Project, which provides a network and resources for education, worship, energy stewardship, and advocacy for making a real difference in creation care. On Earth Day next week (Apr. 22), pray that the program will continue to bless and equip churches across North America.

Wednesday April 17
from: ReFrame: Japan

Pray for Sasuke, a Japanese listener who shared, “As I celebrate my 81st birthday, I thank you for the emotional support I've received through this broadcast over the years. May God grant me the gift of continued listening, and may his presence be felt in every moment.”

Thursday April 18
from: Resonate: Cohorts

Resonate’s Cohort initiative is recruiting young adults to serve in Central America, Detroit, Europe, and the Middle East. Cohort is an opportunity for young adults to live in community, serve in a grassroots ministry, and engage in deep spiritual formation while learning about joining God on mission. Pray for the candidates the Lord is guiding into these opportunities.

Friday April 19
from: CRC Communications: Gather events

The first of ten Gather events, designed to bring together five classes each for mutual story sharing and inspiration, begins today in Minneapolis, Minn. Classes Lake Superior, Huron, Hackensack, Lake Erie, and Columbia will gather today until Sunday.

Saturday April 20
from: Thrive: Middle East

God of peace, who loves us and the people of Israel and Palestine, who loves the powerless and the powerful alike, we cry out to you. Bring your salvation near to us, O Lord. We pray for an end to hostage taking and killings. We pray for an end of vengeance, of terror, and of threats. Amen!

Sunday April 21
from: Resonate: Sierra Leone

Pray for Resonate ministry partners serving the Christian Reformed Church in Sierra Leone as they work to spread the gospel in hard-to-reach communities. They are facilitating Timothy Leadership Training, discipling people, building relationships with people, and more.

Monday April 22
from: Climate Witness Project: Earth Day

Creator God, all creation proclaims you, from the heavens above to the earth below. Thank you for the earth that continues to sustain us, in spite of our lack of care and stewardship. May our eyes see your creation in all its splendor. May we consider your creation in every action. May we see you in all we do. Amen!

Tuesday April 23
from: ReFrame: Russian ministry

Every month 25-50 Christians gather online to discuss books from a Christian perspective. Pray for members of this Russian ministry book club. May thought-provoking discussions about the Christian faith help each member grow in their understanding of Scripture.

Wednesday April 24
from: Resonate: Japan

Although less than one percent of Japan’s population identifies as Christian, Resonate missionaries Ken and Jeannie Lee give thanks that churches in Japan are growing and working hard to share the gospel. Please pray for the Lees as they work with these churches and disciple young leaders.

Thursday April 25
from: World Renew: Disaster Response Services (DRS)

Across North America, volunteerism is down from prepandemic participation. Pray that World Renew’s Disaster Response Services (DRS) ministry team will have the capacity to continue rebuilding homes and hope through volunteer services. Give thanks that new volunteers have committed to serve disaster survivors in Louisiana and Florida this year.

Friday April 26
from: Thrive: Youth and young adults

Pray for the continued faith formation of youth and emerging adults as we partner with the TENx10 initiative: helping faith matter more to 10 million young people over the next 10 years, offering resources to prioritize youth discipleship and sparking an ecumenical movement that supports underresourced youth leaders.

Saturday April 27
from: Resonate: Ontario

Anthony and Barbara Pennings, Resonate ministry partners who work with Indigenous communities in Ontario, ask you to pray for the M’Chigeeng community where they serve. Ask the Holy Spirit to help guide the Pennings as they seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Sunday April 28
from: GEMS Girls' Clubs: GEMS Sunday

Thank God for using GEMS to raise up girls and leaders in faith for 66 years. Their identity is LOVED, and their call is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Mic. 6:8). Ask God to continue to equip leaders on their mission to help bring girls into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Monday April 29
from: ReFrame: English Ministry

Pray for Juan and Joe, who read Today devotions from prison. “I need prayer for guidance and patience,” Juan writes. “I would like to pray for my brother-in-Christ, Joe, because he is leaving here and returning to the outside world, where there will be more temptation and influence.”

Tuesday April 30
from: World Renew: Ukraine

Today, more than two years after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the conflict continues. Ask God for provision for the hungry, safety and shelter for the displaced, and healing for all. May God continue to guide us, our supporters, and our partners to share hope and love with vulnerable people struggling from hunger, poverty, and injustice.