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.

October 2024: Regular Size; Large Print
September 2024: Regular Size; Large Print

 

Tuesday October 1
from: ReFrame Ministries: French ministry

Pray for Sanata, a Muslim-background believer in Burkina Faso who is forbidden by her father to attend church. Ask for wisdom as she balances faith and family. May God give her strength in her new Christian walk and work in the hearts of her father and other family members as well.

Wednesday October 2
from: Thrive: Refugees

Lord, open our eyes to see the needs of refugees; open our ears to hear people's cries for justice; open our hearts to help sojourners near and far. Show us where love, hope, and faith are needed. Guide us to protect people who are disadvantaged and to defend those who are poor, that we may be able to do some work of peace.

Thursday October 3
from: Resonate Global Mission: All nations

Give thanks for the ways God is working in and through Resonate to spread the gospel to people of all nations. We support more than 140 missionaries working in over 40 countries, and we work alongside more than 60 church plants and over 30 campus ministries throughout North America that reflect diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds.

Friday October 4
from: World Renew: Haiti

Our hearts go out to people living in Haiti, where gang-related violence has escalated this year. We ask God to intervene and bring peace in Haiti and in other countries where chaos and unrest persist. Please pray for God’s protection over our staff and partners in areas experiencing violence and conflict.

Saturday October 5
from: Centre for Public Dialogue: Grace and justice

In a U.S. election year and as the Canadian Parliament resumes, we pray for our polarized society. May political leaders have wisdom, and may the church model graciousness and discernment. May leaders take seriously their responsibilities to address poverty and to act justly in the months and years ahead.

Sunday October 6
from: Thrive: All Nations Heritage Sunday

We grieve that the church—which shares one Spirit, one faith, and one hope—has become a broken communion in a broken world. We marvel that the Lord gathers the broken pieces to do his work, and that he blesses us still with joy, new members, and surprising evidences of unity. May we seek and express the oneness of all who follow Jesus (adapted from Our World Belongs to God, para. 38-43).

Monday October 7
from: ReFrame: Japan

Praise God for Mariko in Japan, whose faith journey began through ReFrame's Asa no Kotoba (“Morning Word”) audio program. A broadcast on peacemaking and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 led Mariko to explore Scripture, attend church, and be baptized. Pray for her continued growth and for the program’s ongoing impact.

Tuesday October 8
from: Resonate: Ontario

Andrew, Lisa, and their son, Alec, decided to follow Christ after becoming part of Living Hope Community Church, a Resonate partner church plant in Ontario. Praise God! Please pray for this family as they continue to grow as disciples of Christ.

Wednesday October 9
from: World Renew: New staff

We recently welcomed some new staff members, including Christi Schaefbauer as chief finance and investment officer and Garry Mayhew as head of humanitarian and emergency affairs. Please pray for all staff members and for smooth transitions for all who have moved into new roles within World Renew. May God guide them to thrive in their roles.

Thursday October 10
from: ReFrame: Ministry

Pray for staff who work in various ways to create broadcasts and podcasts and other resources, for people who interact with listeners requesting prayer, and for volunteers who help in the ministry of ReFrame. Thank God for their contributions, and may the Holy Spirit continue to touch hearts and lives through this ministry.

Friday October 11
from: GEMS Girls' Clubs

On this International Day of the Girl, pray for God’s blessing and protection for all GEMS clubs around the world. May GEMS continue to provide safe places for girls everywhere to belong, to be loved, and to discover who Jesus is and how they can have a living, dynamic relationship with him.

Saturday October 12
from: Resonate: California

David wrestled for a long time with depression and thoughts of suicide. Though a Christian, he didn’t feel worthy of God’s love and grace—but then he found Church of Refugia, a Resonate partner church plant in California. Give thanks for the way God is working in David’s life.

Sunday October 13
from: Thrive: Clergy appreciation

We thank God for the faithful pastors he has placed across our denomination to shepherd, disciple, serve, and council CRCNA congregations and others who need to hear of Christ's love.

Monday October 14
from: World Renew: Thanksgiving Day (Canada)

With thankful hearts we acknowledge God’s goodness and provision as we work to help people break the cycle of poverty in many settings around the world. May the God of mercy bless families and individuals with good health, nourishment, justice in their communities, relief from disasters, and opportunities to thrive.

Tuesday October 15
from: ReFrame: Family Fire

Pray for Tessa, a woman who is facing marital reconciliation challenges. Her ex-husband is willing to try again but struggles with negativity. Ask for healing in their relationship and wisdom to navigate this difficult time. May God's will prevail amid spiritual warfare.

Wednesday October 16
from: Resonate: Disability awareness

Give thanks for the many individuals and families who have found a church home through City Hope GR, a Resonate partner church plant in Grand Rapids, Mich., that serves people of all abilities. Please pray for this church as they continue to reach more people.

Thursday October 17
from: ReFrame: India

Praise God for a successful cake-baking training attended by 25 participants. The training session combined gospel sharing with income-generating skills. Ask that the bonds formed during this event may strengthen the community and deepen their walk with Christ.

Friday October 18
from: World Renew: Maternal and child health

The well-being of mothers and children can determine the health of a community for the future. World Renew works to provide maternal and child health training and resources for communities worldwide. Pray for the continuation of this work so that every mother can access the care she needs and every child can have a healthy start.

Saturday October 19
from: Resonate: Hungary

When Hanis moved from Nigeria to Budapest to attend university, he struggled to find community—until he met Resonate missionaries Jeff and Julie Bouman. Hanis found friends who helped him grow through International Student Fellowship, and he is serving with Resonate’s Cohort Europe this year. Please pray for him as he continues to follow God’s call in his life.

Sunday October 20
from: Thrive: Disability Awareness Sunday

Creator God, in the beginning you created, and you called everything “good.” Made in your image, each of us belongs to you. We lament the ways we have perpetuated ableism in our lives, institutions, and churches. We have built structures and programs not accessible to all. We grieve that our churches are welcoming and equipped for some but not for all. We confess the harm these attitudes and actions have caused. Come among us and work in our hearts. We long to be your faithful church for all of your beloved children.

Monday October 21
from: Indigenous Christian Fellowship: Community

Pray for staff and community members at Indigenous Christian Fellowship. Pray that good and healing connections will be made, and may all who pass through our doors know the love of our Creator.

Tuesday October 22
from: ReFrame: Brazil

Pray for Anna, who, with her children, follows our Portuguese ministry. They are facing difficult living conditions and humiliation in their extended family. Ask for God's provision for them, and for strength, peace, and healing. May the Lord’s wisdom and intervention improve their situation while preserving family relationships.

Wednesday October 23
from: Resonate: Asia

A Resonate missionary who is serving at a church in Asia has been walking alongside a seeker for months. Give thanks that she has decided to follow Jesus! Please pray for this new believer as she grows in her relationship with Christ, and may God work through her to draw her family and friends to Jesus.

Thursday October 24
from: World Renew: Food security

Despite the world’s ability to produce enough food to feed everyone, food insecurity is still prevalent in many nations. World Renew helps families to access nutritious meals and become food secure for the future. Join us in prayer as we extend God’s compassion to vulnerable communities and help to alleviate hunger worldwide.

Friday October 25
from: Thrive: Spiritual Care Week

Throughout Canada and the United States, chaplains and institutions are celebrating Spiritual Care Week Oct. 20-26 to recognize the spiritual caregivers in their midst and the ministries they provide. Pray with our 135 chaplains and spiritual care practitioners as they share their stories and celebrate their ministries.

Saturday October 26
from: Resonate: Central America

Resonate missionaries in Central America give thanks for all who participate in Faithwalking, a program that invites them to a life of radical obedience, reflection, and communal authenticity. Please pray for the participants as they continue to grow through this spiritual process.

Sunday October 27
from: Calvin Theological Seminary: Students

Pray for students, faculty, and staff as they navigate school, families, and other obligations this semester. Pray for healthy rhythms. Stress levels can rise, so please pray that all will be able to take time with the One who gives rest (Matt. 11:28).

Monday October 28
from: World Renew: World Hunger Awareness

Every October, people around the globe participate in World Hunger Awareness. This tradition encourages all of us to do our part to help alleviate hunger worldwide. Pray that all who are hungry may access sustainable, nutritious food and experience a fuller relationship with the Lord, our provider.

Tuesday October 29
from: Resonate: Nutrition

Resonate missionary Sara Sytsma helps to train communities with best practices for farming in Uganda. She gives thanks for families whose nutrition has improved because of this training. One woman even shared chaya cuttings with a neighbor whose son has anemia and needs to eat greens every day. The family is now able to grow chaya and provide the necessary nutrition for their son.

Wednesday October 30
from: Thrive: Hunger

Lord, in sharing the loaves and fishes, you gave us an image of solidarity with the hungry. Give us the hunger to participate in the feeding and healing of this world. Nourish us with your grace, that we may work with joy to serve your children. Open our eyes and hearts to recognize people in poverty, and increase our awareness of structures and systems that need to be changed for your sake (adapted from a Jesuit prayer).

Thursday October 31
from: Communications: Reformation Day

In 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 theses and initiated a movement in the church that still shapes our faith today. Ask God to give each of us the courage to continue to follow Christ’s calling in our lives so that the church around the world and through the ages may be built up.

Sunday September 1
from: Calvin University: New academic year

Another academic year is starting at Calvin University, and we are grateful for your financial support. Every dollar of ministry shares for Calvin goes to student scholarships. You are making it possible for the young people of your church, school, or city to afford a Calvin education! Pray for our students, staff, and faculty as they look forward to another year of learning and discipleship.

Monday September 2
from: Resonate Global Mission: Labor Day

On this Labor Day please pray for Resonate missionaries, church planters, campus ministers, and other ministry leaders who are working to share the gospel wherever God has called them. Please pray also that believers everywhere may share God’s love and good news in and through their daily work at home, school, and elsewhere.

Tuesday September 3
from: ReFrame Ministries: Today devotions

Pray for peace and comfort for Jackie, a Today reader who shared that she recently lost her son in a car accident. “I'm having trouble understanding why he was taken,” Jackie said. “My heart is broken.”

Wednesday September 4
from: Thrive: Gather events

Pray for Gather events taking place later this month in Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 19-21), and Calgary, Alta. (Sept. 23-25). At each event, several CRC classes are coming together to share what has been happening in their local contexts and to discern where God may be leading them into renewed ministry and mission.

Thursday September 5
from: Resonate: Logistics

Pray for Resonate missionaries serving overseas and awaiting approvals on visas, work permits, and other logistic matters. Paperwork can take a long time to process, and these systems can be confusing to navigate—but these matters are important for being able to do ministry well.

Friday September 6
from: World Renew: Government relations

As we work to show the love of Christ in tangible ways throughout more than 30 countries, nurturing a relationship of mutual respect and trust with each nation’s government is essential. Ask God to continue to bless these efforts. May Christ’s love shine so brightly through the work of our staff and partners that governments will want them to serve in their countries.

Saturday September 7
from: Calvin Theological Seminary: Academic year

It's the start of a new year. We rejoice in the enrollment of new students. Pray for returning students and for the transitions that new students, including those from many other countries, will be undertaking.

Sunday September 8
from: Resonate: Mission Emphasis Week

The work of mission is not just for a select few; it’s an important calling for each of us. As many CRC churches begin celebrating mission emphasis this week, please pray for our church engagement teams as they walk alongside, equip, and resource churches and faith communities who are joining God on mission overseas and across the street.

Monday September 9
from: ReFrame: Japan

Pray for Yuki, who listens to our Japanese ministry programs faithfully and wants to share them with her loved ones. Pray for courage to share God’s Word, and pray that Yuki’s family will be open to hearing the good news of Jesus.

Tuesday September 10
from: Thrive: Ministry

Pray for Thrive ministry consultants as they work closely with congregations across the denomination. Please pray also for your congregation's worship leaders and planners, asking God to fill them with energy, with joy in their work, and with ample times of rest.

Wednesday September 11
from: Resonate: Mission emphasis

Please pray for churches and small groups who are walking through our Witness: Equipped to Share the Good News study. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide these individuals and small groups as they take steps to share the love of Christ in their neighborhoods.

Thursday September 12
from: World Renew: Volunteers

Praise God with us for volunteers! We are grateful for all the individuals who contribute to our work of living out justice, loving mercy, and serving Christ. May God’s strength sustain all who give of their time and resources to serve with us in our offices, with Disaster Response Services, on Discovery Tours, or in their churches and communities.

Friday September 13
from: ThereforeGo Ministries: SERVE

Give thanks with us for a safe and fruitful summer of growth for our students through SERVE. Please pray for churches deciding to host SERVE next summer and for those making plans to send students on SERVE. May the Lord begin to prepare their hearts and minds to explore our next theme: “Beautiful and Broken.”

Saturday September 14
from: Resonate: Campus ministry

Resonate partner campus ministries throughout Canada and the United States kicked off fall semester programming with small groups, Bible studies, weekly dinners, worship gatherings, and more. Ask the Holy Spirit to work through all of these ministries to draw students, faculty, and staff into a relationship with Christ.

Sunday September 15
from: ReFrame: Kids Corner

Praise God for Chandler, a nine-year-old who recently shared with his congregation a song that he enjoys on ReFrame’s Kids Corner website and podcast. Praise God for Chandler’s growing faith and for the opportunity he took to share his faith with others.

Monday September 16
from: Thrive: Volunteers

Praise God for the faithful ministries of volunteers who are committed to equipping their local congregations to be safe and accessible worshiping communities.

Tuesday September 17
from: Resonate: Lithuania

Give thanks for Yana, a student at Resonate partner LCC International University in Lithuania, who decided to follow Jesus last year! Yana became interested in Christianity through interactions with friends, Resonate volunteers, and Resonate missionaries on campus. Please pray for Yana as she continues to grow as a disciple of Christ and shares her faith with the people around her.

Wednesday September 18
from: ReFrame: French ministry

Pray for opportunities to continue sharing the gospel in a Muslim-majority context in West Africa. Tindano, a faithful listener of our radio broadcasts there, is a Christian and journalist, and she recently asked our French ministry team to expand their broadcast to include non-Christian radio stations so that the message can reach a wider area.

Thursday September 19
from: Candidacy Committee: Prayer

The Candidacy Committee invites you to set an alarm on your phone at 10:02 a.m. each day to pray as Jesus teaches us in Luke 10:2: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Friday September 20
from: Resonate: Michigan

Resonate church planters in Michigan ask for prayer for a couple in which the husband is struggling with alcoholism. This has made the couple open to hearing the gospel. Please pray that the husband may be healed and that the couple may find grace and faith in Jesus.

Saturday September 21
from: World Renew: International Day of Peace

Pray with us as nations around the globe dedicate a day to the ideals of peace, building societies where all people can flourish and be treated equally, regardless of race or background. May we work toward a world free of discrimination, and may the conflicts taking place in many nations be resolved.

Sunday September 22
from: Communications: Ministry shares

Let’s give thanks for ministry shares and the covenant relationship they represent for CRC congregations. Ministry-share funds support local ministries, global missions, media ministry, and more to help churches share the good news of Christ and grow in faith. May churches see and embrace ministry shares as an expression of our shared purpose in serving Christ and his church.

Monday September 23
from: Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee: Unity

Father God, we pray for unity among Christians in every denomination as we work together in your kingdom and share one hope in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Tuesday September 24
from: World Renew: Rain

Throughout the Global South, many people depend on having the right amount of rain. If the rainy season is too short and not enough rain falls, crops fail. But if rain is too abundant, fields and homes flood. Ask God to provide the right balance of rain and sunshine, as well as creative initiatives and innovative solutions to combat climate change.

Wednesday September 25
from: Resonate: Burundi

Give thanks for the training that Resonate missionary Renita Reed Thomson and her partners at Discipling Marketplace Leaders led with young people in Burundi. The training equipped youth to build businesses that would help provide a livelihood as well as opportunities to live out their faith. “I now have a vision for the future!” shared one of the participants.

Thursday September 26
from: ReFrame: Chinese ministry

Pray for opportunities to share the gospel in mainland China and beyond. In recent years large numbers of people have moved from the mainland to Hong Kong for work. Pray for our Hong Kong-based partners as they support local churches in reaching newcomers from the mainland.

Friday September 27
from: Thrive: Chaplains

Chaplains minister in psychiatric hospitals, behavioral health units, and forensic hospitals. Special training, skills, love, and perseverance are required while chaplains often work with limited resources to provide holistic care for patients in emotional, spiritual, and mental crises. May our chaplains in these situations receive overflowing measures of grace and wisdom for the people entrusted to their care.

Saturday September 28
from: World Renew: Education and justice

Birth certificates can be hard to obtain when parents live far from official clinics or offices and have few resources. But a birth certificate can open doors to education, health, and employment. We work with local communities to help with this daunting task. May no child be denied an education or opportunities for a meaningful livelihood.

Sunday September 29
from: Resonate: Nicaragua

Missionaries Jesse and Jari Rodriguez, who work with farmers in Nicaragua, are helping a neighborhood by providing garden boxes. Many families in this neighborhood search through trash for things to sell and recycle, and these garden boxes can help to provide fresh food. Pray that God’s message of love and hope will transform people’s hearts in this community.

Monday September 30
from: Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee: Truth and Reconciliation

Today is the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Please pray for the CRC’s Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee as it seeks to reconcile the church with Indigenous people. Pray also for everyone participating in the learning journey of Hearts Exchanged.