Thank you for supporting the ministries of the Christian Reformed Church through your prayers.
For daily prayer, you are invited to use the Prayer Guide below or:
A CRWM volunteer spent this summer teaching English at camps for young people while also sharing his faith with them. Pray that God will continue to use the discussions and relationships developed at this summer’s English camps to stir in these youths a desire to know more about Christ.
Rev. Jacky Chéry, BTGMI French ministry coordinator in Haiti, asks, “Pray for a powerful impact of the gospel in Haitian communities.” He reports that in the past year 358 persons had leadership training, resulting in nearly 3,300 people receiving biblical resources to help them grow in God’s Word. Pray that many people will come to faith through these efforts.
Many communities across North America have recently felt the impact of a natural disaster. World Renew DRS steps in to help these communities through needs assessments, reconstruction, and other services. Please ask God to continue to provide for World Renew DRS through volunteers and funding.
Pray for the start of a new rhythm of life as the Ceasefire Collective (our first missional community) begins. We meet every other Friday night for Night Walks through the Oakland, Calif., neighborhoods most affected by gun violence, and then on alternate Friday nights for community meals.
With Labor Day comes a new school year at the seminary. Pray for new students and their families, making transitions and new friends, learning theology and community, and answering God's call to be formed for ministry. Pray especially for our 15 new international students, who are crossing borders and overcoming cultural changes as they begin their studies.
A meeting with youth, parents, and community leaders revealed that the Protecting Adolescent Health and Rights project is helping to improve the health and vitality of the Kwambai community in Nigeria. We praise God for a significant reduction in cases of adultery and substance abuse. Please pray for God’s blessings on all of the participants.
George DeVuyst, a CRWM missionary in Ukraine, has been introducing a workshop called “Healing the Wounds of Ethnic Conflict,” to people in Ukraine who have experienced trauma through the nation’s conflict with Russia. Pray for continued healing and reconciliation in Ukraine.
Please pray for Ashish, who heard our broadcasts and accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord. As a result he has been thrown out of his home, and he faces social opposition. Please pray for his protection and that through his testimony of God’s faithfulness others will turn to Jesus for salvation.
Unemployment rates among people with disabilities are at least double that of the general population. A lack of employment may mean that adequate food, housing, and medical care are not attainable. Pray that employers will not discriminate in their hiring and will employ people who are qualified and willing to work, whether or not they have disabilities.
Pray for the recruitment of new teachers needed for the upcoming school year. Praise God for newly added facilities and for the finances to cover them, that they may serve the school community well.
Indigenous groups in Canada have been speaking about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls for years. This month an inquiry will finally begin. Lord, we pray for justice. For wisdom for the commissioners. For strength for affected families. And for ourselves, that we may have open ears and open hearts.
We give thanks that Tanzania has remained fairly peaceful in a region that has seen a lot of violent conflict. Please pray that this peace will continue and will not be undermined by people who would like to stir up conflict in the name of religion.
Pray that missionaries around the world will have a sense of encouragement in their work. May they be rooted in the Word of God and led by the Spirit as they reach out to the world.
In preparation for an upcoming conference in Mozambique, our Portuguese ministry team distributed 500 copies of Family Cada Dia devotions, specifically designed to address the needs of women who will attend the conference. Pray that this devotional guide and the conference will help people grow in faith.
With school back in session, many families are feeling the financial stress of providing new clothing and school supplies. This time of transition can be difficult. Pray that these families can calmly and peacefully make the change to a busier schedule. Also at this time our afterschool programs begin again as well. Please pray that we will have the needed volunteers and supplies to help our kids feel supported and loved.
The new mission agency (official name yet to be determined) will meet in late September. Pray that this new entity may prepare well and work as a unified body to further the work of global ministry. Pray for staff as adjustments are made in the coming year.
Over the summer, nine smaller congregations received SCE Health and Renewal grants. The funds from these grants enable recipient congregations to carry out a project they’ve designed specifically for their ministry setting. Pray that God will bless the efforts of the project teams and that congregational as well as community members will benefit.
Jeong and Misook Gho, missionaries in Japan, recently started two new Bible studies, one in Higashi and one in Sendai. Pray that participants in these Bible studies may grow in understanding God’s Word.
Among our 144 chaplains, eight have received extensive training and have become certified as Clinical Supervisors. Several more are currently in training. Clinical Supervisors become trainers of other chaplains in the intensive Clinical Pastoral Education process. These supervisors will each train hundreds of other chaplains from many different faith groups over the course of their career. Please pray for this important work and its influence in chaplaincy training.
Pray for Mr. Lee. As a seeker and faithful reader of the Chinese Today devotions on Facebook, Mr. Lee has asked our Chinese ministry team for prayer. He is going through a difficult time and is earnestly seeking God’s help. Pray that God will use these circumstances to turn his heart to the Lord for wisdom and salvation.
In Cambodia, many children with disabilities have not been sent to school. To help parents and teachers, World Renew began working on inclusive education. Through workshops, teachers have learned how to work with children with disabilities in the classroom, and parents have learned the benefits of sending their children to school. Please pray that all children are given an opportunity to learn, despite any disabilities.
Pray for Michael Fallon, campus minister at McMaster University and Mohawk College, who is now on sabbatical for the 2016-17 school year. Praise God for the leadership of Seth Adema, who will be serving those campus ministries during this time. Welcome, Seth!
As a young ministry, we are gradually introducing ourselves to CRC congregations in a variety of ways. This fall, we are seeking 20 congregations to join our "Strengthening your faith formation culture” cohort. Please pray that 20 congregations ready for Spirit-led challenges will join the project, and pray that we at FFM will shepherd the cohort with grace and truth.
Give praise and thanks for the Spirit’s work in the lives of students and leaders on SERVE this summer, and for the 26 congregations who hosted them. May these congregations continue in the work and relationships developed by the students, and may the SERVE participants take what they learned and apply it in their lives and home churches throughout the coming year. Give thanks also that 30 churches have committed to hosting SERVE in 2017; this means over 1,800 participants can experience Jesus Christ through SERVE next year!
Synod has designated the fourth Sunday in September (today) as Abuse Awareness Sunday. Pray that many CRC congregations will participate. You can find resources at www.crcna.org/SafeChurch/resources-abuse-awareness. The selected topic for this year is abuse among elderly brothers and sisters in Christ, who are quite vulnerable to various kinds of abuse. Pray that they will receive the help they need.
Children in Latin America would have no access to authentic Spanish Christian programming if not for a video series and a new radio program produced by the BTGMI Spanish ministry team. Pray that through these entertaining and biblical programs children will hear the truth of God’s Word and become lifelong followers of Jesus.
A participant in Educational Care teacher training recently wrote, “This training has helped me understand that the creation and everything therein belongs to God and that therefore my school belongs to him. I am challenged to view my students through God’s eyes and teach them God’s way.” Praise God for this testimony. Pray that this teacher will continue to work toward her goal.
Pray for intern Jana Koh as she works with this exciting new church plant. Pray also for encouragement and direction for other leaders looking to find their place in the ministry of church planting.
Remember to pray for the candidates approved by synod in June. Forty-seven first-time candidates and 25 continuing candidates are waiting, praying, and seeking for God's direction into vocational ministry. They will appreciate our partnership in prayer. And if you know one of them, drop a note of encouragement!
Conflict and violence have erupted in areas of South Sudan. Hundreds of people have lost their lives, and thousands more are displaced. Many of the displaced are relying on churches and community leaders who have very little tangible assistance to offer. Please pray for an end to the violence and for all who need support after fleeing dangerous situations.