
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.
Wednesday November 1
from: ReFrame Ministries: Chinese ministry
ReFrame’s Chinese ministry partners recently launched a new book, Still Speaking: Faith That Can't Be Locked Down. Pray that this book, along with other resources from the ministry team, will serve as an important resource for Chinese speakers affected by new laws in China that limit Christian messages.
Thursday November 2
from: Diaconal Ministries Canada: Courage
As Christians, we often face spiritual battles. Deacons have discovered this when pursuing new ministry in their local communities. Ask our heavenly Father to strengthen the faith of all deacons and grant them his wisdom and discernment as they follow him courageously into their neighborhoods and cities (Eph. 6:12).
Friday November 3
from: Resonate Global Mission: Germany
Pray for Yaran, a refugee living in Germany. He connected with Resonate missionaries David Kromminga and Mary Buteyn through the language cafe they run at their church. Yaran heard the gospel for the first time and is interested in learning more about Christianity. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to draw Yaran closer to Jesus.
Saturday November 4
from: Calvin Theological Seminary: Diversity
Our students represent 28 countries, with 40 percent coming from outside North America. Thirty percent of our students are women. It is a blessing to hear diverse stories of the church as we learn together. Rejoice and pray for the beautiful diversity of our seminary community.
Sunday November 5
from: World Renew: World Hunger Sunday
Over 1 billion people in the world do not have enough to eat. In a world of plenty we often ask why the injustice of hunger exists. But, as people of God, we know that justice will prevail—often through the actions of God’s people. On this World Hunger Sunday, may God’s people open their hearts to give generously, pray continually, and advocate fearlessly for the world’s most vulnerable people.
Monday November 6
from: Calvinist Cadet Corps: Reflecting
Our theme "Rooted and Grounded," based on Ephesians 3:17-18, reminds the boys and men involved in Cadets of the great love of Christ. We pray that cadets and counselors will reflect that love as they continue living for Jesus.
Tuesday November 7
from: ReFrame: Japan
Pray for Kanako, who reads our Japanese ministry devotions and recently shared them with her friend’s granddaughter. Pray that she may continue to find Christian resources that answer her questions about faith in Christ.
Wednesday November 8
from: Resonate: Massachusetts
Pray for Spring Rain Church, a Resonate partner church plant in Massachusetts that reaches Chinese immigrants and their families. Ask God to continue drawing people into this faith community and that they may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Thursday November 9
from: Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee: Faithfulness
Creator God, you have been so faithful to us, and we are grateful and filled with praise for you. We pray that in your faithfulness you will pour out your blessings on your church, uniting us in our love and praise for you. May we be known as Christ-followers by our love.
Friday November 10
from: World Renew: Disaster Response Services (DRS)
When our DRS volunteers first dispatch to new locations, they are often met with suspicion. But as they proceed to serve, doing what they say they are going to do, a sense of trust and respect for the church and for Christians grows. Ask the Spirit to continue to move in our volunteers to display Christ’s love in very tangible ways in vulnerable communities.
Saturday November 11
from: Communications: Remembrance Day/Veterans Day
Today we acknowledge the service and sacrifices of men and women who have served our nations in various ways. Pray for the families and loved ones of people who have died in military service, for all who are serving now, and for all whose lives are affected by conflict and war.
Sunday November 12
from: ReFrame: International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Pray for Wani, a radio program producer who is part of our Hindi ministry team and has faced a lot of social pressure because of his outspoken Christian faith. “Pray that God will protect the family and give them his peace and strength,” shared our Hindi ministry leader. Pray also for the many Christians affected by mob violence in India lately.
Monday November 13
from: Resonate: Ontario
Last month Classis Huron celebrated the 50th anniversary of Resonate partner campus ministries at the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Give thanks for the many students and faculty whom these ministries have served over the years. Please pray also for their ongoing effective ministry in the future.
Tuesday November 14
from: Timothy Leadership Training: India
Timothy Leadership Training has been planning a retreat for facilitators in India that will include participants from multiple bordering countries and North America. Recently the team decided to postpone the event because of visa delays. Pray for the planning team and participants, asking for discernment and for an opportunity to reschedule in early 2024.
Wednesday November 15
from: World Renew: Senegal
Senegal has elections planned for Feb. 25, 2024, and several periods of violent protest have occurred there this year already. Please pray for a peaceful election period, fair elections, and a smooth transfer of power to a new president. Pray also for peace and stability for many other areas experiencing violence and insecurity across Africa.
Thursday November 16
from: Thrive: Safer Churches: Domestic violence awareness
Dear God, as the seasons change, may we remember your steadfast love and faithfulness. You are with us at all times, in all seasons, caring for us. As we observe domestic violence awareness month in Canada, after doing so last month in the U.S., we continue to pray for people living in spaces of harm. Guide us to find ways to actively work together as the church to end domestic violence. Amen.
Friday November 17
from: Resonate: Japan
Resonate missionaries Ken and Jeannie Lee share that some people in Japan have negative views of Christianity. “Pray that the negative image of Christianity will be changed through positive interactions with Christians,” ask the Lees.
Saturday November 18
from: Thrive: Disability and Accessibility: Togetherness
We thank God for the model that Disability Concerns has shown in demonstrating that the CRC and the RCA can work together and bless each other. We pray for wisdom and discernment as we navigate what our work together can become amid significant changes in both the RCA and the CRC.
Sunday November 19
from: Thrive: Chaplains: Chaplain Sunday
Please pray today for chaplains, who dedicate their lives to being with others, often in times of crisis—in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice settings, workplaces, and military installations. May they have the “peace that transcends all understanding” in order to be the presence of Christ for others. Pray also for persons who are discerning becoming chaplains.
Monday November 20
from: ReFrame: Wisdom, direction
A prayer team member named Tammy recently shared that she has a strained relationship with her daughter and son-in-law. “My son-in-law has introduced my daughter to drug use, and I don’t know how to fix this situation,” she shared. “I ask for God's wisdom and direction in this matter.”
Tuesday November 21
from: Resonate: Mexico
Pray for Resonate missionary James Lee in his work with university students in Mexico. Ask that God will raise up student leaders to help share the love of Christ in their campus communities, where Christ-followers are few.
Wednesday November 22
from: Thrive: Pastor and Church Support: Searching
Pray for churches who are searching for a pastor. Pastor searches require a significant commitment of time and perseverance. As these churches also prepare for a busy holiday season without a pastor, they face an increased need for volunteers. Ask the Lord to raise up people willing to serve, using the talents and skills he has entrusted to them.
Thursday November 23
from: World Renew: Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12-13). In all things may we be thankful to God for the gifts he has given us, and may we use our gifts to help our neighbors.
Friday November 24
from: Kuyper College: Academic year
Give thanks with us for an excellent start to this new school year. We enrolled the largest incoming class of new students in several years, and we launched a new athletic program. Please pray also for our growing impact as a work college as we equip students with opportunities to learn, work, and serve.
Saturday November 25
from: Resonate: Dominican Republic
Resonate partners with COCREF Christian schools in the Dominican Republic. Resonate missionaries Stephen and Sandra Brauning ask for prayer for a student who hasn’t been able to attend school this year due to his family’s situation and finances. Ask God to provide a way for this student to return to school.
Sunday November 26
from: Thrive: Worship: Advent and Christmas
Churches are beginning to prepare for the busy Christmas season. Pray for leaders, asking that they might find joy in their work, peace in their souls, and rest for their bodies and minds.
Monday November 27
from: World Renew: Giving Tuesday
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, an international day of charitable giving. Over 1 billion people face food insecurity around the world due to conflict, climate change, and economic downturn. Please ask God with us to bring hope to these people, that they may be able to grow food sustainably and save up their resources for times of crisis.
Tuesday November 28
from: Indigenous Ministry: Giving Tuesday
There are many unglamorous needs that the Urban Indigenous Ministry Centres are called to address in Regina, Sask., Winnipeg, Man., and Edmonton, Alta. On this Giving Tuesday please pray for success in fundraising for these needs, including insurance, pest control, and accessible washrooms.
Wednesday November 29
from: Resonate: Uganda
“We thank God that our door is always revolving with visitors who come for Bible study, advice, tutoring, babysitting, a meal, or a rest,” shared Resonate missionaries Karen and Moses Lubbers-Odel in Uganda. Give thanks for these relationships and for opportunities to disciple believers and share the gospel with people who do not yet know Christ.
Thursday November 30
from: ReFrame: Burkina Faso
Pray for a woman named Neema, who listens to our French audio programs. She has asked our partners in Burkina Faso for prayers for wisdom as her family wants to give her in marriage to a Muslim man. As the only Christian in her family, she feels especially trapped by this situation.