In 2026, we are growing in prayer. We need to connect with our Father in Heaven in a meaningful, heart-felt way every day (every minute?). Many of us struggle with this because it feels like we are talking to ourselves or the ceiling. Or we just don’t what to say. Use the following guide to train yourself to pray. Whether you just read the prayer by itself or use it to spark a longer conversation with God, we hope this will help you build a strong, active, two-way relationship with Jesus.
There are multiple ways to access the guide:
September 2026
1
[From Nikki Douglass]
Prayer for students heading off to college: Lord, we pray for courage. Please bless them with a willingness to try new things and explore new subjects. Give them the freedom to fail and then build up in them resilience to try again.
2
[Reflect on your summer. Was there anything restful or joyful you got to participate in? Spend some time thanking the Lord for that time.]
3
[From Steve Johnson]
Today I pray in the spirit of Jeremiah as recorded in Lamentations 3:22-26. Lord, Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Help me, Father, to practice that quietness, patience, and trust today.
4
Pray for your best friend. Ask the Lord to bless them with health, clarity of mind, and success in all they do. If they do not know the Lord, pray for the Holy Spirit to open their eyes.
5
[Pray for Lilly Tang and Michael her son. Michael received his visa to study in the United States and his now living with Hayden’s family in Brighton, MI. Pray for Michael’s adjustment as well as Hayden’s parents. Pray for good friend and teacher connections at school. Pray for Lilly and her husband as they parent Michael from a distance.]
6
[From Nikki Douglass]
Prayer for families who have launched their children from the nest: Lord, we ask that you turn the hearts of families away from worry and toward regret. Give them courage to let their children launch. We are grateful Lord for how you have used parents and step-parents, relatives and friends to shape these young people. We pray that you give wisdom to these families as they continue to invest in their grown-children’s lives.
7
Jesus we praise you as the only begotten Son of God, eternal and natural. We praise you God, because we are adopted children of God by grace through Christ. Read: John 1:1-3; 14 & 18; Hebrews 1; John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17 and Eph. 1:5-6
8
By your precious blood, Jesus, we have been bought and set free. Read: 1 Peter 1:18-19
9
[From Steve Johnson]
Lord, you have been so good to me despite my grumbling and grumpiness. Help me to focus on your blessings and faithfulness today instead of the negative things around me. I need to dwell on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Phil. 4:8).
10
For those recovering from surgery, injury, or poor health, I ask for your comfort and healing today, Father. Make them well. Relieve their pain. Strengthen their hearts and bless them with a return to full health.
11
[From Steve Johnson]
Father, I pray for fellow Christians around the world that are suffering persecution because of their faith. Many have been put to death. We see increasing hatred even in America toward Christians who openly profess their faith in Jesus and declare their opinions on moral issues. Give us the strength to withstand the temptation to compromise our convictions. And help us to show the love of Jesus and to reflect His light in the darkness.
12
Free rom sin and tyranny of the devil, thank you Jesus! Read: Col. 1:13-14 and Hebrews 2:14-15
13
We were bought, with a price, body and soul to be Jesus very own. Read: 1 Tim. 2:5-6
14
[From Steve Johnson]
Lord, I lift up to you today all of our police, fire, EMS, and dispatch personnel as they respond to emergencies, tragedies, and other traumatic events. Keep them safe from harm and other dangers and stresses that can often accompany those calls. Bring them safely home to their families at the end of their shifts.
15
[From Nikki Douglass]
For students returning to school: Lord, we pray that you empower these students to be people of integrity. May the words they sing in worship be lived out in the classroom, playing field, rehearsal rooms. May the lives they live and the choices they make mark them as followers of you, Jesus.
16
[From Steve Johnson]
Father, give me an opportunity today to serve you in an unexpected way today. Help me to be alert to that opportunity and to have the courage and faith to respond to it.
17
Jesus, thank you for your righteous pleading for our cause with the Father. Read: Rom. 8:34 and Hebrews 9:24
18
Hymn #185 – When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from His head, His Hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so mazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
19
[From Nikki Douglass]
For school staff at the start of the year: Lord we ask for joy for school staff as they begin a new academic year. May those who work with students be empowered by your Holy Spirit to interact with compassion, warmth, and fairness.
20
[From Steve Johnson]
Lord, I ask you to give me wisdom. Wisdom will help me in the choices I have to make and to discern your will in my decisions. Wisdom will help me to control my tongue, my actions, and my thoughts. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).
21
[From Nicole Douglass]
For our First Reformed Congregation: Lord, create in us a longing to serve those around us wisely and well, with patience toward those with whom we work or volunteer and with joy that pervades our lives at work, at church, and at home.
22
Our Savior, Jesus, remains the true Son of God, true and eternal God. Read: John1:1; 101:30-36; Acts 13:33; Col. 1:15 and 1 John 5:20
23
Lord, bless First Kids. Fill the leaders and volunteers with passion for teaching the Bible stories and the Gospel to our kids. Open the kids’ hearts and minds to see you in the stories and be curious about You. Let your Word shape their understanding of themselves and the world.
24
Help the Tiger’s win today, Father! But seriously, thank you for fun and baseball and beautiful summer nights. Keep those going to the game tonight safe and may the conversations and connections be a part of tying together our fellowship.
25
Jesus, thank you for taking to yourself by the working of the Holy Sirit, the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature. Read: Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4 and Hebrews 2:14
26
[Pick a Psalm to read as a prayer today. Read/Pray it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re eating with others, ask if it would be okay to read it out loud.]
27
Father in Heaven, I lift up our adult Sunday School and Bible studies. May the time reading and reflecting on your truth be transformative. May you also bless the fellowship between attenders and help them be open with one another as well as take an interest in one another outside the group.
28
Where have I been complacent, Lord? Where have you been prodding me but I have silenced You? Please show me why I am resisting and show me the path to obedience.
29
Father, I lift up the Finance Team to you. Thank you for the work they are doing behind the scenes for our congregation. Please help them to work according to your vision of love, and keep them committed to total integrity. Help them as they serve the other Teams and ministries through clear financial data. Where they need faith and trust in you, beyond the numbers, strengthen them.
30
Help our leaders, Elders and Deacons, be true examples of your character.
31
Lord, you are a true descendant of David. A human in every way except sin. Read: 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11; Mathew 1:1; Romans 1:3; Phil. 2:7 and Hebrews 2:17