CRU Prayer Diary: May - Sep 2021

Dear prayer supporter,

We pray that you and your loved ones are well.

As government regulations evolve in response to the Coronavirus situation, we give great thanks to God that CRU’s camping ministries are largely back to normal and that CRU’s Schools Ministry is increasingly face-to-face.

However, as details and dates of events can still change unexpectedly, we have modified our prayer diary to be weekly summaries rather than daily events. We hope you find it helpful.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer partnership and desire to see Jesus shared with a new generation. We are so grateful to God for you.

The team at CRU

May

Week starting Sunday 2 May

Praise God for the opportunity to run four CRU Educational Camps this week at CRU Galston Gorge and CRU Lake Mac. Pray that the team will be able to build relationships quickly with the teachers and students, and that they will enjoy all the planned outdoor activities in God’s beautiful creation.

Week starting Sunday 9 May

Please pray for the CRU Teachers’ Conference that will be held on Friday. Pray that the teachers and chaplains who attend will be inspired by the training, workshops and networking opportunities on the day. Praise God also for two CRU Educational Camps that are on this week. Pray that the leaders will be great examples of Christ, that camps will run smoothly, and that the students will have a fun camp experience.

Week starting Sunday 16 May

Pray for the five Inter-CRU events that will be happening at various schools over the next four weeks. Ask God for great fellowship at these combined high school events, and that the students will grow in their understanding of God’s love for them. Another two CRU Educational Camps will be held at CRU Lake Mac this week. Please pray that the campers will have a safe week as they enjoy activities on the lake.

Week starting Sunday 23 May

Praise God for the opportunity to run two CRU Educational Camps at Lake Mac and Galston this week. Ask that God would strengthen the relationships between the students, teachers and leaders during the week. Pray for the CRU West Prayer Meeting that is happening on Thursday. Give thanks for the CRU West staff and volunteers who faithfully serve and support the students, teachers and campers in WA.

Week starting Sunday 30 May

Give thanks that over 50 students will be attending the CRU West Inter-CRU on Friday and pray that they will be encouraged in their faith as they meet with Christians from other schools. Give thanks for the Winter VOLT Training Day that will be held in Sydney on Saturday and pray that the volunteer leaders who attend will be trained well in preparation for the upcoming CRU Camps season. Thank God for the hundreds of volunteer CRU Camp leaders who make camps possible throughout the year.

June

Week starting Sunday 6 June

Praise God for the CRU Board and CRU Camps Committee as they meet this week. Give thanks for the men and women who serve, and for their love of the Lord Jesus. Ask God to give them wisdom as they plan, think strategically, and make wise and godly decisions for CRU.

Week starting Sunday 13 June

Give thanks for the teams at CRU Lake Mac and CRU Galston Gorge who work hard to ensure our campsites and activities are well presented and functional for our guest groups and campers. Please pray for smooth organisation and planning as they prepare for the large winter CRU Camps season that starts next week. Pray for CRU’s Administration team as they prepare for the end of the fiscal year. We give thanks for the team’s work to keep CRU running behind the scenes.

Week starting Sunday 20 June

Please pray for the winter CRU Holiday Camps season that commences this week. With three camps being held at Lake Mac and one at Galston this week, please pray for logistics and safety as the campers share the site and enjoy all the activities. Pray for the CRU West Committee that will be meeting this week. Give thanks for their passion to serve the people of WA and ask that God would guide them in their decision making.

Week starting Sunday 27 June

Praise God for the 11 CRU Camps being held this week. Please pray for safety on the slopes for the three ski camps, productive study for the two study camps, great weather for the five activity camps, and many opportunities to connect with the community on the Day Camp held at St Paul’s Castle Hill. Pray that the Spirit will be at work in the hearts of the campers during the week.

July

Week starting Sunday 4 July

Give thanks for the six activity camps, two CRU West camps, and two Day Camps that are happening this week. Pray that the campers will make new friends and gain confidence as they enjoy various activities. CrossTrain, a camp for Christian high school students, is on this week. Thank God for these campers who love Jesus and are keen to learn how to prioritise living for Jesus and serving Him in their schools.

Week starting Sunday 11 July

Thank God for CRU Blast Day Camp that is being held this week and for the many years this camp has run since CRU Day Camps began. Praise God that kids look forward to this camp each winter and pray that God will prepare their hearts to hear the hope-filled message of Jesus. Give thanks for winter CRU Camps season.

Week starting Sunday 18 July

Please pray for the four Inter-CRU events happening at various NSW schools this term. Pray that the students who attend would be encouraged by the teaching and fellowship with students from other high schools. Praise God for the teachers and chaplains who run lunchtime CRU Groups in their schools. Please give thanks for their faithful service and the time and energy they put into preparing for the groups each week.

Week starting Sunday 25 July

Praise God for the opportunity the CRU Educational Camps staff have to go on a retreat as a team this week. During this time, the team will be able to encourage one another in their faith, grow in their knowledge of God, and practise a variety of spiritual disciplines that are designed to push their boundaries and deepen their relationship with God. Pray that it is a fruitful time. Give thanks also for the CRU West Committee and ask that God would grant them wisdom as they meet on Thursday night. Please also pray that God will guide the members of the CRU Board as they meet this week.

August

Week starting Sunday 1 August

Please pray for the Lake Mac Open Day & Thanksgiving Service happening on Saturday. Praise God for the chance to invite the CRU community and supporters to the redeveloped CRU Lake Mac and pray that those who attend will enjoy experiencing the site in person.

Week starting Sunday 8 August

Pray for the 25 CRU Educational Camps happening this month in various locations across Sydney. Please pray for energy for the team as they connect with the campers and run camp programs and for many opportunities for gospel conversations. Pray for the Divisional Heads Day on Wednesday this week. Give thanks for the men and women who are in these roles and give thanks for the way God has equipped them for their tasks. Pray that they might make wise decisions as they lead CRU’s various divisions.

Week starting Sunday 15 August

Praise God for Gary Hill and the longevity of his leadership. Give thanks for the gifts God has given him, and the way he faithfully uses them to lead CRU. Ask that God would continue to encourage him and sustain him in his leadership of CRU.

Week starting Sunday 22 August

Followers in Training (FIT) events will be held at schools across NSW and the ACT this term. At these leadership training events for Year 5 and 6 students, pray that the students will learn practical ways to put God first in their lives and be compelled to learn even more about God and His love for us, displayed through Jesus. Give thanks also for the faithful men and women in WA who will be meeting to pray for CRU West on Thursday night.

Week starting Sunday 29 August

Give thanks for the CRU Board and ask that God would guide them in their discussions as they meet on Monday night. Give thanks for the opportunity to run 17 CRU Educational Camps over the last three weeks of Term 3. Pray that the leaders would show Christ’s love as they care for the campers and that the team would lead with enthusiasm and excitement, ready to serve the campers, teachers, and other staff. Give thanks for the students attending the CRU West Inter-CRU on Friday. Please pray that they will be encouraged to stand firm in their faith as they hear from the Word and gather with Christians from other high schools.

September

Week starting Sunday 5 September

The Schools Ministry Week of Prayer is this week. Please pray that teachers and chaplains will be inspired to meet together and pray for the gospel to be known in their school communities. Praise God for the businessmen and women who will be attending the CRU Business Breakfast on Friday. Please pray that they will be encouraged by the stories of young lives being reached with the gospel through CRU’s ministries and pray that God would prompt the attendees to give generously so that more young people can hear about Jesus.

Week starting Sunday 12 September

Please pray for the CRU Holiday Camps team and the CRU Camps Committee as they meet and prepare for the upcoming camp season. Pray that their conversations with leaders, directors, parents and campers will be helpful and encouraging. Ask that God will grant them energy and health during this busy time and wisdom for planning. Give thanks that the Schools Ministry team will have the opportunity to go on a retreat at the end of this week. Pray that it will be a fruitful time of being refreshed by the Word and a time of encouraging fellowship.

Week starting Sunday 19 September

Praise God for the opportunity to run eight Holiday Camps and three Day Camps over the next two weeks of school holidays. Pray that campers would have an incredible experience enjoying outdoor activities, trying new things, and making lifelong friends. Thank God for the volunteer leaders who are leading on these camps and for their passion to see the gospel shared with kids and youth on camp.

Week starting Sunday 26 September

Please pray for the two CRU West holiday camps happening this week: CRU Quest, an activity camp for Years 6-8, and CrossTrain, a Christian leadership camp for students in Years 9-11. Pray that the CRU Quest campers will have fun doing various activities and will be keen to learn more about who Jesus is. Pray that the campers who attend CrossTrain will be inspired to stand firm in their faith and serve in their school CRU Groups and churches. Thank God for the last two weeks of spring CRU Holiday Camps and for working in the hearts of those who decided to follow Him on camp.