CYM Prayer Diary 2025 - Issue 4

NEWS AND PRAYER DIARY

October - December 2025

www.c-y-m.org.uk

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HELLO!

The summer has come and gone, and our attention now turns to the cooler, darker seasons ahead. We had a busy summer season, with many schools visiting the campsite for Basecamp activities. At the time of writing, we still have visits scheduled through September and October. Looking ahead to 2026, there are still gaps in our bookings. If you can help spread the word to local schools or youth groups, we’d be delighted to provide you with materials to share—please do get in touch.

We’re also mindful of the financial challenges schools are currently facing. Sadly, we had to say farewell to two of our Chaplaincy posts at the end of the last academic year due to funding constraints. This meant parting with Kori and Aimee (St. Matthew’s Primary School) and Tom (West Suffolk College and Abbeygate Sixth Form). Each has served faithfully, and we’re grateful for their time with us—please keep them in your prayers as they take their next steps. We also thank Max for all he contributed during his year of studies at Ridley Hall and his placement with us. Although he’s stepping away from his course, we hope to welcome him back as a volunteer.

You’ll find our usual diary of prayers and other updates in this document. Please be encouraged by all that we are doing! One key change: our annual Supporter Celebration will move from the end of the calendar year to Spring 2026—more details will follow very soon!

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support—we truly couldn’t do this without you.

SIMON SCOTT CEO Simon@c-y-m.org.uk

OCTOBER

WEEK 1 - ANT Chaplain to Chantry Academy After welcoming our new Year 7s, I pray for those children already on my heart. I’m thankful for Sue Bridges, our CofE Pioneer, who collaborates with me in this care.

Join me in thanking God for relationships built through after-school clubs last year. We had such fun on our summer trip! Pray for wisdom as I consider a new club exploring faith.

Previously, I asked for prayer around bereavement care.

Sadly, our school lost a student before last term ended.

May God continue ministering comfort through my Chaplaincy presence.

WEEK 2 - URSHIE Finance & admin We have a great need at CYM to grow our team of volunteers, please pray into this today.

Many schools are now planning their future residentials.

Please pray that more schools will choose to partner with us at Vauxhall for these valuable opportunities.

BASECAMP - SRH FRAMLINGHAM (MON - FRI)

This year, I’m again considering how best to communicate the incredible impact of School Chaplaincy to staff and funders.

Please pray for creativity, insight, and the right words.

CYM is so thankful for you—faithful prayer warriors supporting our work.

Today, give thanks for those who continue to lift us up in prayer behind the scenes.

This month, we’re preparing ‘Christmas blessings’ for Chaplains to give staff. Pray these small gifts would powerfully reflect God’s love and encouragement as term draws to a close.

Please pray for Josh, Frankie, and me as we work together.

Pray for strong relationships as we seek to grow and strengthen the campsite ministry.

As we enter the half term leading to Christmas, we pray for open hearts to Jesus and for meaningful conversations centred around the truth of the Christmas story.

Thank you, God, for the Raedwald Trust.

We pray Your blessing over it and the dedicated staff who support students in need of extra care and guidance.

Praise God for His constant provision for us as a charity.

Our prayer is that more individuals feel called to support and grow CYM’s work financially into the future.

BASECAMP HOME-ED (TUES - WEDS) SIMON VISITING THE FORGE CHURCH (SUN) I’m part of a working group with a vision: a Chaplain in every UK school within the next decade. Please pray for God’s provision, leadership, and inspiration.

WEEK 4 - ABI Chaplain to Raedwald Trust We pray for protection over students and staff this half term. May it be filled with rest, peace, and joy-filled experiences that refresh body, mind, and spirit.

Fridays are set aside to focus on caring for our staff team.

One way is through our book café. Pray that as we lead others, our love for God inspires us.

TRUSTEE MEETING (16TH) / BCY WILD WEEKEND (10TH - 12TH) SIMON VISITING RANELAGH ROAD CHURCH (SUNDAY)

WEEK 3 - LUCY Director of Chaplaincy Several Chaplains are developing faith exploration groups for young people this term. Pray for guidance in the planning—and that young people would be excited and open to exploring faith.

School is about student learning and support, but Chaplaincy embraces the whole community. Pray staff remember I’m here—and God is near—to care for them too.

Today, thank God for the in-school line managers who work closely with our Chaplains. Pray blessing over these wonderful people who offer encouragement, support, and vital partnership.

CYM TEAM DAY (27TH) We lift up Angela, CEO of the Raedwald Trust.

May she know Your wisdom, guidance, and peace as she carries many responsibilities and makes key decisions.

Please pray for Beckie and me as we return to work.

May we carry the light, love, and hope of Christ with us wherever we go.

NOVEMBER

WEEK 1 - SIMON CEO Let’s pray today for all returning to school or college after half-term.

I’m praying they feel refreshed, encouraged, and ready for the term ahead.

YOUTH WORK WEEK (3RD - 9TH)

Please pray for opportunities for me—and others in our team—to visit local churches and share about our work with those who may want to support or partner with us.

I’m praying today for our Trustees. Please join me in thanking God for their dedication, wisdom, and commitment to the work and mission of CYM.

Please join me in praying for God’s continued provision.

He has always supplied what we’ve needed to carry on, and I’m so grateful for His faithfulness.

WEEK 2 - FRANKIE Campsite Programme Coordinator Lately, I’ve felt prompted to seek God’s awe and wonder. Please pray we would notice His beauty and majesty in the small, everyday moments of our lives.

I thank our incredible CYM staff and volunteers for their support this year. I pray they find true rest and experience God’s loving presence in their daily lives.

Today, I thank God for our incredible staff team and volunteers.

Their joy, generosity, and servant hearts keep CYM thriving— we simply couldn’t do this without them.

BASECAMP HOME-ED (TUED - WEDS)

Please pray for more volunteers who are passionate about CYM. Also pray for Josh and me, that we’ll know how best to support our current campsite team.

Please pray as I recover from limb reconstruction surgery and adjust to life with an external fixator again. I’m praying for rest, healing, and patience in the process.

I’m praying for new opportunities and fresh connections with schools. May more schools see what we’re doing at Basecamp—and may many sign up for 2026!

WEEK 3 - BETH Chaplain to Ipswich Academy & Community Youth Worker We thank God for ‘Stir’ and ongoing conversations around faith and life. Please pray against barriers - especially a culture of busyness - that prevents young people from coming.

In Nacton, our vision is to see young people restored and rooted in strong foundations.

Please pray with us through Isaiah 58:11–12 as we pursue this calling.

We thank God for opportunities to offer reflective spaces in schools, especially during this season of remembrance. Pray for deep conversations and a movement of the Holy Spirit.

WEEK 4 - PHILIP Chaplain to East Bergholt High School Pray for East Bergholt students to come together as a community, growing in faith and support for one another in their school journey.

Please pray I continue to receive guidance as I act between local churches and the school, fostering strong partnerships for the good of the students.

Children have been raising faith more often in discussions.

Pray this continues and deepens, evolving through the coming months and year with greater understanding.

WEEK 5 - VOLUNTEERS Thank God today for our amazing volunteers who give generously of their time and talents across the campsite, chaplaincy, trusteeship, and general support.

We thank God today for David, who volunteers every week to keep our Hub space clean. We are so grateful for him!

Pray today for open doors and warm hearts as we share about volunteering opportunities in local churches, inspiring others to join and make a difference through CYM.

We long to see God rebuild young people—separate from past experiences and generational struggles. Pray they feel inspired to live differently, with courage and God-given identity.

We thank God for the young people growing in faith this year. Pray for wisdom as we disciple them and help connect them into vibrant, welcoming church communities.

Pray over school staff, especially the SSAs, as they face funding cuts for support services. May God sustain and strengthen them in this challenging season.

Wherever my path leads, I pray God watches over my family and me, guiding us with wisdom, patience, and strength in all that we face.

Please pray that more people will feel called to volunteer with CYM—whether at the campsite, in schools, or supporting the charity in other vital ways.

We thank God for volunteers’ faithful commitment. Pray they feel encouraged, valued, and refreshed as they serve, and that their passion continues to grow.

DECEMBER

WEEK 1 - JOSH Director of Campsite Programme Today, I pray for more volunteers to serve with CYM, helping us share the gospel creatively with everyone we support in our ministry and outreach.

This time next week, we celebrate Christmas with Home Educated young people.

Please pray for a joyful, meaningful gathering that blesses all who attend.

I’ve been challenged to consider how I am salt and light in the world. Please pray God reveals new opportunities for me to shine and make a difference.

Please pray a blessing over everyone who has supported us with their expertise this year—especially our technical advisers and the team at Vauxhall.

WEEK 2 - HENRY Director of Operations As term ends, pray students and staff finish well, and that School Chaplains receive the rest and refreshment they truly deserve.

Christmas can easily lose focus on Christ.

Pray for opportunities and courage for us all to share the true story of Christmas with those around us.

Christmas invites boldness in sharing faith. Let’s pray for courage to invite others to church, especially those who don’t usually attend.

BASECAMP HOME-ED (TUED - WEDS) This year, I’m praying for those who have experienced loss.

May God’s all-surpassing peace comfort them during what can be a difficult Christmas season.

WEEK 3 - JO Chaplain to ONE Sixth Form Thank God for a good first half term, with staff and students settling well. Pray especially for lonely students, that new friendships would form and flourish.

Pray for students and staff facing challenges this Christmas—whether health, financial, or family-related—that they would find peace, comfort, and hope in Jesus.

Thank God for students showing interest in God and Jesus. Pray that this curiosity grows into a deep, lasting relationship with Christ.

I encourage you to thank God today for His ongoing faithfulness, which inspires and motivates us as we look ahead to all that the coming year holds.

Many of us in the office will take time off over Christmas.

Please pray we rest and recuperate well, returning with renewed energy for the new year.

TEAM CHRISTMAS GATHERING (MON) College can feel overwhelming and vast. Pray God directs my steps daily and leads me to those who need encouragement, support, and love.

Pray for the Christian Union—that students’ faith grows. As we seek to be more missional, may God guide us boldly in the right direction.

God, please provide me opportunities to show Your love, peace, and joy to everyone I meet, sparking conversations about You.

This can be a difficult season for our students. Join me in praying for God’s blessing over staff, students, and families during the holidays.

WEEK 4 - BECKY Chaplain to Raedwald Trust Please join me in thanking God for His provision this term. We ask for His help to finish the term well.

As we approach the Christmas break, we ask for God’s protection over all students and families within the Raedwald Trust.

As we reflect on the past year, help us recognise God’s blessings and pray others will see His goodness too.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (MSG)

GIVING ONLINE Your giving, small or large, makes a significant contribution to the work of CYM in Suffolk. Would you consider a one-off or regular gift? There are many ways to do this. The simplest is to set up a Standing Order from your own bank and you can do that with the bank details below. Alternatively, scan the QR code for other options.

BANK DETAILS Bank of Scotland Christian Youth Ministries Sort Code: 12-16-39 Account: 00168040

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If you would prefer to send a standing order form to us in the post, you can tear this slip off and return it to: Simon Scott, CYM, Vauxhall Christian Trust Campsite, Great Wenham, CO7 6QQ.

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BANKERS ORDER: Bank of Scotland plc, 35 Princess St, Ipswich IP1 1AE (12-16-39 a/c 00168040) Name (title): Address: Postcode: Please pay Christian Youth Ministries £

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A prayer and worship evening for young people (years 7–13) across Ipswich and beyond

20 26 D AT E S : January 30th April 24th September 25th (Venues TBC and will be listed on CYM website)

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THE GAT H E R I N G I S A C O L L A B O R AT I V E E V E N T RUN B Y L OC A L Y OU TH L E A DE R S A N D CYM

VOLUNTEER WITH US Do you have some time available to support young people?

We have opportunities within School Chaplaincy, Campsite Programmes, and other general support.

Contact us to find out more www.c-y-m.org.uk 01473 216712 info@c-y-m.org.uk