NEWS AND PRAYER DIARY January - March 2026
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HELLO!
A new year is upon us. The excitement and celebrations of Christmas and New Year will soon be a distant memory, and we move towards the slightly lighter and warmer days. 2025 was a year where we saw God moving in the lives of young people in a new and fresh way. It’s exciting! We’re definitely aware of something extraordinary happening as young people are stepping out confidently in their faith, and their identity, in Jesus. You are a huge part of that – you will have sown seeds, prayed prayers and encouraged them in their faith journey. Don’t stop now – this is only the beginning!
I hope that this diary helps you to pray for our team, and feel a part of our work – you are such an important part of it happening. Thanks for your ongoing care and prayers.
SIMON SCOTT CEO Simon@c-y-m.org.uk
JANUARY
WEEK 1 - SIMON CEO God, as our team returns to work at different times this week, may they be freshly filled with Your Holy Spirit, serving faithfully and joyfully across all locations.
Lord, we lift up our campsite team working with homeschooled young people. May their efforts bear lasting fruit, drawing young hearts closer to You and Your Kingdom.
TRUSTEE MEETING (THURS) I pray for Your inspiration and guidance in my marriage, family life, church service, and work. May all I do reflect Your purposes, plans, and glory each day.
Lord, as our Trustees meet this evening, may they be inspired and encouraged. Bless them as they offer their skills and talents, serving faithfully in this new year of ministry.
WEEK 2 - BETH Chaplain to Ipswich Academy & Community Youth Worker Thank You, God, for the students who have participated in the Starfish mentoring programme. We are grateful for the conversations and the positive changes we have seen in their lives.
God, please provide opportunities for Christian students to meet at school. May we gather them together to support, encourage, and grow in faith alongside one another.
Lord, please be present in every conversation I have with students and staff. Grant me wisdom and grace in the more difficult situations students face.
Thank You, God, for each student I’ve worked with this term. I pray my time with them has brought encouragement, hope, and lasting impact.
Lord, as the team begins preparing for the next NG camp, guide us in every aspect of the trip. May Your wisdom, protection, and blessing be with us throughout.
Praise You, God, for every CYM volunteer. After serving on the campsite recently, I’ve seen incredible people joyfully giving their time and energy. Thank You for their dedication and service!
BASECAMP HOME ED (TUES-WED) MAX AT RIDLEY (MON-FRI)
Thank You, God, that some young people we have been working with in the local community have begun attending church. May their faith continue to grow and flourish in You.
Lord, please keep the young people safe during these winter months. Provide ways for them to attend our activities safely, and bless them with protection and care in all circumstances.
Let’s pray today for the hardworking staff across our trust who go the extra mile for students and families. Bless them for their care and dedication.
As this half term ends, I pray for all students and their families across the trust. May they enjoy a restful, refreshing, and joyful break.
WEEK 3 - BECKIE Chaplain to Raedwald Trust I pray for opportunities to share my faith with others. Help me reflect Your love and compassion in all I do and say.
WEEK 4 - JO Chaplain to ONE Sixth Form I’m praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit across the college. God, awaken hearts to Your love and inspire curiosity about faith in students and staff.
Lord, please grant me wisdom and sensitivity as I support students facing complex personal and emotional challenges. Guide my words and actions with compassion and understanding.
Lord, we pray for the Christian Union. May conversations grow into lasting friendships, and may members encourage, support, and uplift one another in faith and love.
Thank You, God, for all the volunteers we serve alongside. As we look ahead to this year, may each person feel seen, valued, and richly blessed today.
God, at the start of this year, help me soak in Your presence as I prepare spiritually. May I feel bold and inspired to share the gospel in creative ways.
THE GATHERING (FRI) God, strengthen the Chaplaincy’s presence. Reveal where You are already at work and guide me to join in with You, serving faithfully and following Your lead.
Father God, may the atrium be a safe and welcoming space for spiritual conversations and pastoral care. Guide me as I greet and spend time with all who enter.
Lord, I pray for more volunteers to join our team—people eager to reflect Jesus and share their gifts, skills, and love to bless and guide the rising generation.
Thank You, God, for the momentum and hunger growing through ‘The Gathering’ youth event. May young people encounter You deeply tonight and be excited for the weekend in April.
WEEK 5 - JOSH Director of Campsite Programme Lord, as I look ahead to the Dwell retreat, grant me continued wisdom to help others feel welcomed, at peace, and embraced in Your presence.
FEBRUARY
WEEK 1 - LUCY Director of Chaplaincy Thank You, God, for the young people in Ipswich who pray and boldly share their faith in schools. Draw near to them, Lord, and encourage them in every step.
Lord, as I work on a new Chaplaincy project, grant me creativity, wisdom, and holy insight. Guide my ideas and help me shape them in ways that honour You.
I’m praying for an increase in our School Chaplains’ awareness of the Holy Spirit. May they grow in sensitivity to God’s voice and in confidence as they faithfully respond.
WEEK 2 - HENRY Director of Operations Lord, we celebrate the hope seen through the work of School Chaplains. We pray for more opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with students, staff, and communities.
Thank You, God, for the dedicated volunteers who make our activities possible. We pray for continued provision, and that new volunteers will join and share in this important work.
Thank You, God, for our prayer warriors whose support makes CYM possible. We give thanks for their faithful prayers and dedication, trusting You to bless and sustain them daily.
Thank You, God, for the many who walk alongside our team, offering encouragement and truth. Bless these generous mentors, church leaders, family, and friends for their love and support.
BASECAMP HOME ED (TUES-WED) MAX AT RIDLEY (MON-FRI) Lord, we pray for new relationships with schools that could lead to more Basecamp visits. May these connections grow and blossom, bringing students closer to You and
WEEK 3 - ANT Chaplain to Chantry Academy Lord, as the CYM team enjoys our annual retreat, may we know Your goodness and blessing in simply being together. Open our hearts to receive more of Your love.
On our last day of retreat, may we have time to ponder and space to treasure in our hearts all God has spoken into our lives.
Thank You, God, for providing the opportunity for our team retreat. As responsibilities continue, help me to find rest, refreshment, and renewal over the half-term break.
WEEK 4 - FRANKIE Campsite Programme Coordinator Lord, we are so grateful for our wonderful volunteer team. We pray for new volunteers to join us, sharing their time, gifts, and love to bless those we serve.
I am grateful to be part of the CYM team. Following our retreat, may we continue to build strong, supportive relationships with one another, growing in unity and love.
Father, we see a spiritual shift, especially among young people. Help us remain open and adaptable to Your Spirit, and give us boldness to follow where You lead.
Praise You, God, for the spiritual curiosity You are stirring in young people. Today, we pray for our local schools—may Your presence grow stronger and draw more hearts to You.
Your love. Father, we pray for the CYM celebration on 9th May. May many people come to hear and celebrate the amazing ways You are at work through CYM.
TEAM RETREAT (SUN-TUES) Praise You, God, for the deepening trust and openness I’m experiencing in 1-2-1 support, not only with students but especially with staff this term. Thank You for these connections.
“I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart!” Lord, whatever the weather, may I stand at the school gates next week showing Your gladness and welcome to all.
VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION (FRI), SIMON AT BETHESDA BAPTIST (SUN) Lord, as the Basecamp season approaches, grant me strength while I recover from surgery. Fill me with supernatural energy so I can support the team and serve faithfully.
God, we pray for our volunteer and CYM team as we meet to improve and develop the Basecamp programme. May our conversations be guided and inspired by Your Holy Spirit.
MARCH
WEEK 1 - BECKY Chaplain to East Bergholt High School God, please help me as I settle into East Bergholt School. Help me to find my place and to be the best that I can be.
Let’s pray today for the building of meaningful relationships within the school.
Lord God, help me to become well known and welcomed across the school. May the students and staff see your love reflected through my actions.
I’m praying today for wisdom, patience and sensitivity as I introduce new ideas to the Chaplaincy.
WEEK 2 - MAX Sports ministry student God, please bless my university work. Help me meet deadlines, stay focused, and find joy in this season, trusting You in both challenges and achievements.
I pray for help to balance work and university. For strength, health, and endurance, and guidance to manage responsibilities with wisdom, energy, and God’s peace.
Thank You, God, for the encouraging staff at work and CYM, and for amazing friends at church who support, help, and provide for me when I am in need.
BASECAMP HOME-ED (TUED - WEDS) Lord, as I face overlapping assignments, please bless my mental health, focus, and understanding. Help me complete my work to the best of my ability, with clarity and peace.
WEEK 3 - URSHIE Finance & admin Lord, as Basecamp season approaches, we pray for safety, strong and positive relationships, and for more volunteers to join. May this season be fruitful and full of Your blessing.
Thank You, God, for the amazing Campsite team, especially Josh and Frankie. Please protect and strengthen our relationships, guiding us with unity, understanding, and Your love.
Lord, my work is varied and often demanding. Please help me manage all my responsibilities wisely, stay organised, and approach each task with clarity, focus, and Your guidance.
God, as this term draws to a close, please sustain my energy. Help me continue to bless others and remain fully present in every moment and interaction.
Thank You, God, for Beckie, with whom I have the joy of serving collaboratively. Please bless and protect her and her family this Easter season with Your love and grace.
I pray for strength to complete the tasks before me. God, help me nurture my spiritual health, drawing ever closer to You and growing in faith each day.
DWELL RETREAT WEEKEND (FRI-SUN) As the next term begins and busyness increases, I ask God to help me remain calm and intentional. May I reflect Jesus’ love in all I do and in every interaction.
WEEK 4 - ABI Chaplain to Raedwald Trust Lord, please open opportunities to share the Easter message with staff and students, both through planned reflections and spontaneous conversations. May Your love and truth shine in every encounter.
Father God, may this Chaplaincy inspire faith, hope and love in the school and the wider community. Thank you for everyone who makes this role possible.
Lord, when things don’t go as planned, help us show love, patience, and understanding toward one another. May Your grace guide our words, actions, and relationships in every situation.
CAMPSITE TEAM TRAINING (TUES-WED) We lift up every student in the Raedwald Trust. May they come to know God deeply and experience the reality of how loved and known they are by Him.
Lord, as we share our Easter blessings, may staff feel truly valued, and may the work of chaplaincy make a deep, lasting impact across the entire Trust.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
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.
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GIVING BY POST
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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A retreat series for anyone who invests in children and young people.
dwell breakfasts
Friday 6th Februry 2026 - Hope Church Friday 15th May 2026 - River Church
dwell weekend retreat
Friday 20th March - Sunday 22nd March 2026 - Vauxhall Farm
Scan the QR code for more information and to book.
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 (with residential stay option) September 25th (Venues TBC and will be listed on CYM website)
BOOK YOUR PLACE THE GAT H E R I NG I S A C OL L A B OR ATIV E EV EN 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