DIARY prayer O
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)
We can pray with great confidence and assurance, knowing that God hears our prayers at any time and in any place, and that he uses them to do His work and for His glory. They are indeed very powerful and effective.
We hope that you find this Prayer Diary helpful as you pray for the ministry of CRU and the youth we seek to reach with the Gospel over the next few months.
CRU’S VISION
To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students of the independent schools of Australia, to nurture Christians, encourage church membership and train young Christians for a life of servant leadership.
PLEASE PRAY EACH WEEK
With Gary moving on as CEO at the end of the year*, please pray for God’s provision of a new CEO to continue the godly leadership of CRU. Pray for the CRU Board and those assisting with the search, that God would grant them wisdom and discernment during this process.
* See the “From Gary’s Desk” article on page 2 of Cultivate, March 2025 or view here cru.edu.au/news.
APRIL
Week starting Sunday 6 April
Praise God for the work He has done through the CRU Educational Camps team this term. Please pray for the team as they take some time off from camps over the Easter break, that they would enjoy a time of refreshment and rejuvenation after a busy Term 1 and be energised for the term ahead. Pray for those who are helping lead on autumn Holiday Camps, that God would sustain them and that they would be able to find opportunities for rest during this time.
Week starting Sunday 13 April
Remember all that God has achieved for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection this Easter! Reflect on Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross this Friday and rejoice that He has defeated sin and death so that all of us have the opportunity to have a right relationship with God. Pray that God would grant us boldness to share this good news with those around us and that through His Spirit He would be giving us words of grace and love.
Week starting Sunday 20 April
Praise God for the autumn Holiday Camp season which started last week and for all the camps that are running these holidays. Please be praying for - Club Mac, Aussie Adventure, Country Muster, Autumn Study 2 and Autumn Adventure. Pray that campers would enjoy the activities and that God would be powerfully at work in their hearts and minds. Pray also for the volunteer directors and leaders, that they would be enthusiastic about the week ahead and ready to share God’s Word faithfully.
Week starting Sunday 27 April
Pray for the Schools Ministry team as schools commence Term 2 this week. Ask that the team would be able to touch base with teachers and chaplains quickly and organise visits to schools well. Please pray that God would be sustaining the team throughout the term and protecting their health so they can continue to go into schools, share the good news of Jesus with students and support teachers and chaplains in their ministry.
Week starting Sunday 4 May
Praise God for the four CRU Educational Camps running this week and for the opportunity to share God’s Word with school students and teachers. Pray that God would be softening students’ hearts this week and that they would be receptive to hearing the Gospel. Ask that God would be sustaining the team as they run these camps and that they would be filled with His strength and wisdom.
Week starting Sunday 11 May
We thank God for the godly men and women who are on our Board and for those who are in a management role within the organisation. Please be praying for our Board and our management team as they meet this week, that they would be filled with God’s wisdom and discernment as they make decisions about the future of CRU.
Week starting Sunday 18 May
Praise God for the Schools Ministry team and for their passion and commitment to sharing Jesus with students in schools. Please be praying that God would continue to sustain each of them throughout the term as they continue to visit schools and give talks. Pray particularly for the seven Inter-CRU events running this term, that they would run smoothly and that all involved would be encouraged by God’s Word.
Week starting Sunday 25 May
Praise God for the CRU Holiday Camps team who work behind the scenes to ensure that all the logistics and organisation of camps runs smoothly. Please pray that the team would be encouraged by the work they do, enabling campers to hear the good news of Jesus. Ask that God would be filling them with energy and also providing times of rest as they prepare for the upcoming winter season.
JUNE
Week starting Sunday 1 June
Give thanks to God for our CRU Educational Camps and Training teams who work behind the scenes to help with school camp bookings and staff training – delivering great camp experiences to schools. Ask that God would be sustaining them in their roles and that they would be encouraged by the work they do, as it enables many young people to hear about Jesus.
Week starting Sunday 8 June
Thank God for our site and kitchen staff who work tirelessly to keep both CRU Galston Gorge and CRU Lake Mac operating smoothly enabling us to welcome guest groups, school camps and residential holiday camps to our sites. Please pray that God would be sustaining these teams over the coming weeks, particularly as the holiday season draws closer. Pray they would find time to rest amidst their busyness and be energised to serve camp groups cheerfully.
Week starting Sunday 15 June
Join with us in praising God for the ways He has provided for CRU over the years and has enabled donors to support us financially, so that we can continue sharing Jesus with the next generation. As the end of the financial year draws closer, please pray that people will be prayerful in their support and may consider donating generously towards our EOFY appeal. Pray that, as an organisation, we would continue to trust in God’s provision for our financial needs and that we would be wise stewards of the funds entrusted to us. Pray that we would use this money for God’s glory and the growth of His kingdom.
Week starting Sunday 22 June
Praise God for the final three CRU Educational Camps running this week and for the opportunity we have to share Jesus with school students each term through camping ministry. Please be praying for the students and teachers this week, that they would leave camp feeling encouraged and challenged in their faith. Pray that God would be at work in the students’ hearts, that they might come to know and trust Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Week starting Sunday 29 June
Thank God for the Year 11 and 12 students who are attending study camps this week. Please pray that they will be diligent in their studies and that they will leave feeling better prepared for their exams. Pray also for the talks and discussion groups on camp, that these would be a great opportunity for campers to ask their questions and grow in their understanding of the Gospel.
JULY
Week starting Sunday 6 July
Praise God for the ten Holiday Camps running this week across various sites, that the campers would have a great week away and enjoy the various activities safely. Please pray that God would be opening the campers’ hearts to hear the good news and to be excited by the hope that it brings. Pray the campers would leave camp feeling encouraged to live for Jesus and that they would be connected into their school’s CRU Group or a church youth group after camp.
Week starting Sunday 13 July
Praise God for all the volunteers who have served over the winter holiday season across twenty camps! Pray that campers and leaders alike will be encouraged by the conversations and contacts they have enjoyed during camp. Pray also that God will sustain the directors and leaders on the camps this week and next week, and that they would all be able to rest well after camp.
Week starting Sunday 20 July
Thank God for all the ways in which He has provided and continues to provide for CRU, particularly with staffing. Please pray that He would raise up individuals who can join the organisation to fill our current vacant positions. Pray these people would have the right skills, be servant-hearted and eager to serve God through CRU’s various ministries.
Week starting Sunday 27 July
Thank God for our administration team who work so hard behind the scenes to help ensure operations run smoothly. Pray that God would continue to sustain each of them in the second half of the year. Pray particularly for the accounts team as they prepare for CRU’s end of financial year, that they would work efficiently and be encouraged by how God has used CRU’s resources to reach the next generation for Christ.
AUGUST
Week starting Sunday 3 August
Thank God for the opportunity we have to hold Staff Connection Days bringing all staff together to encourage each other, spend time in His Word and reflect on CRU’s mission and goals. Pray that our two-day staff retreat this week would run smoothly and that staff would make the most of the opportunity to spend time with people from other divisions whom they don’t see regularly.
Week starting Sunday 10 August
Thank God for the CRU Holiday Camps Committee and for each of the people involved who are eager to serve Him in this ministry. Please be praying for the Committee as they meet this week, that they will have fruitful discussions and plan well for the upcoming spring season of Holiday Camps.
Week starting Sunday 17 August
Praise God for the Inter-CRU and two FIT events running this week enabling school students from various schools to meet together and encourage one another in their faith. Ask that God would be working powerfully through these students, that they would be well-equipped and excited to share the good news with their peers at school and with their friends and family.
Week starting Sunday 24 August
Pray for the seven CRU Educational Camps running this week at various sites, that they would all run smoothly and that campers would be safe during their time away. Pray that the students would have good gospel conversations with the CRU Educational Camps team and feel comfortable to ask any questions they may have about God and His Word. Ask that God would be granting wisdom and clarity to the team, that they would speak clearly and answer the students’ questions faithfully.
Week starting Sunday 31 August
Praise God for the people He has raised up who continue to support CRU financially and in prayer. We are so thankful for their sacrificial hearts and generosity. Please continue to pray that, through this support, we can continue to faithfully share the good news of Jesus with the next generation on camps and in schools.
SEPTEMBER
Week starting Sunday 7 September
Praise God for the CRU Board and for the work they do behind the scenes to support CRU’s ministry. Please be praying for them as they meet this week, that they would have fruitful discussions and would be seeking God’s wisdom in all discussions and decisions.
Week starting Sunday 14 September
Thank God for the Holiday Camps team and for their dedication to ensuring that camp teams and logistics are organised well ahead of the holiday season. Pray for the team now as they begin final preparations for spring Holiday Camps, that God would be sustaining them and providing them with opportunities for rest.
Week starting Sunday 21 September
Praise God for all CRU staff members and for their eagerness to serve Him at CRU. Pray they would continue to lean on God in all things and that they would be continuing to grow in their love and understanding of Him. Pray that God would continue to guide CRU’s ministries and that He would be working through staff to tell a new generation about His Son, Jesus Christ.
Week starting Sunday 28 September
Praise God for the seven Holiday Camps running this week, that God would be at work in the leaders’ and campers’ hearts. Ask that God would be sustaining each of the leaders through the busyness of camp and that they would be encouraged by the conversations they have with campers during the week.
OCTOBER
Week starting Sunday 5 October
Thank God for the CRU West team based in Western Australia, and for their passion for the Gospel to be shared with youth throughout Perth and beyond. Please be praying that God would continue to work through them as they reach out to young people on Holiday Camps and in schools. Ask that God would sustain and strengthen the team, so they are able to persevere through challenges and continue to share His truth faithfully.
Week starting Sunday 12 October
Praise God for the CRU Educational Camps team and for their desire to serve Him through camping ministry. Please pray for them as they begin another term full of camps, that God would sustain them and continue to grow them to be more like Him each day. Pray also for each of the students who attend camps throughout the term that their hearts would be softened to hear and respond to the Gospel.
Week starting Sunday 19 October
Pray for the Central Coast and Newcastle Mega-CRU which is coming up soon, that the Schools Ministry team would be able to complete final preparations for the event well and be excited for the opportunity to run this event again. Pray for the students attending, that it would be an encouraging time for them as they meet together in fellowship and praise God for the work He has been doing throughout the year in their schools.
Week starting Sunday 26 October
Thank God for our Holiday Camps Committee who are meeting this week and for their dedication to serving Him. Pray they would be encouraged as they reflect on how camps have run throughout the year and that they would conduct fruitful discussions about the upcoming summer season. Ask that God would be growing this powerful ministry.
