Prayer Newsletter

Congregational Prayer Requests

Do you have a prayer request or a praise / thank you? Call your Pastoral Elder or Pastoral Care Assistant, leave a message on the church office phone at (616) 455-5120, or send an email to prayer@covenant-crc.org.‍ ‍

Matthew Bakelaar signed, enlisted and was sworn into service in the United States Army in late May. He will be leaving on Monday, September 7 for 20 weeks of basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. He does not know where he will be going after he finishes basic training. Please pray for safety for Matthew throughout his training and his service career, pray for the emotional strength he will need to go through basic training and to serve in the military, and pray for the physical strength he will need to serve to the best of his abilities. (Elder: Brinks)

Linda Coleman continues to struggle with leg weakness and pain. Please pray for strength, pain relief, and healing. (Elder: Kruithof)

Please continue to pray for Ann Cool. She is continuing to struggle with heart and blood pressure issues. Her husband is still struggling with health issues as well. Please pray for them, that God gives them the healing and strength they need to face each day. (Elder: Brinks)

Gord DeBoer is continuing to receive cancer treatments. Please pray that he is able to tolerate his treatments well and for renewed strength and healing. (Elder: Hirdes) 

Cheri DeHaan has been experiencing some abdominal difficulties and recently had a CT scan. Please pray for peace and clarity in the upcoming decisions that will need to be made. We are grateful that God is walking side by side with us. Please pray for good results from the CT scan, for healing, and for God’s peace to continue to surround Cheri, Larry, and their family. (Elder: DeVries)

Doug and Deb DeKam were in a serious car accident at the end of June. Deb is home from the hospital and her recovery and therapy are going well. Give thanks to God for the healing Deb has received so far and pray for continued and complete healing and strength. For updates, you can follow Deb’s Caring Bridge page HERE. (Elder: Jammal)

Please continue to pray for Risala Albadra and Hussein Hasan. Hussein still has an open wound that is not healing and Risala is recovering from her carotid artery surgery. Please pray for healing. (Elder: Jammal)

Please keep Gerry Hoekema in your prayers as he continues his cancer battle. His latest scan showed increased growth in the lung nodules and will begin a new clinical trial. Please pray that this new treatment is successful and for God’s peace to continue to surround Gerry and Jan.   (Elder: Jammal)

We express our sympathy to Kerri and Scott Holbrook and LeAnne Jansen in the passing of their mom, Marilyn Zuiderveen. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround them during this time. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Please keep Virginia Huizenga in your prayers as she is still experiencing severe pain. Please pray that the pain will be relieved and that God will surround her with His comfort and peace. (Elder: Kruithof) 

Russ Jansen will have tests and appointments this month to develop a plan to repair his heart valve. Please pray for peace for Russ and Jill as they await more appointments and for healing. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Please pray for Randy Knoll as he has begun treatments to take care of a return of his cancer. Please pray for minimum side effects from these treatments, that they will be successful, and for God’s peace to surround Randy and Marijo during this time. (Elder: Brinks)

We express our sympathy to Toots Morren, Kathy and Kurt Heidmann, and Dave and Laurie Morren in the passing of their husband and father, Jay Morren. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround them all during this time. (Elder: Jammal)

James Ngabonziza continues with weekly kidney dialysis and remains on the kidney transplant list. Please pray for patience and strength for James and his family during this process. (Elder: Kruithof)

John Noriega’s knee replacement surgery was postponed due to another medical issue. Please pray that this issue is resolved so that he can have his knee replacement surgery soon. (Elder: Hirdes)

We express our sympathy to Brad, Faythe, Gracie, Micah and Sophie Patterson in the passing of Brad's dad, Brian Patterson. Please pray for God's comfort and peace to surround the Patterson family during this time. (Elder: Hirdes)

Marge Peuler is dealing with severe pain in her feet. Please pray for pain relief and healing. (Elder: Brinks)

Dave Scheltema has moved to Railside Assisted Living. The family appreciates your prayers for the transition, that Dave and Marcia adjust well to the changes, for continued healing and encouragement, and for God’s comfort and grace to surround them during this time. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Please continue to pray for minimal side effects, strength, peace, and healing for both Jeff and Tammy Todd as they continue their fights against cancer. Pray for their family as Jeff has begun to receive hospice care. Thank you for all your prayers! They are deeply needed and appreciated! Bob and Bev VanderHeide (Elder: Jammal)

Elaine VanEssen is asking for prayers for her son David. He had successful mitral valve replacement surgery and is making progress. Please give thanks that his valve repair was successful and pray for healing and God's peace to continue to surround Elaine, David, and their family. (Elder: Kruithof)

Please keep the members of our congregation who are fighting cancer in your prayers.

Pray for the various ministries of the Christian Reformed Church using the guides found HERE.

Please keep our shut-ins in your prayers. Many of them struggle with loneliness and/or other health concerns that we are unaware of. Please keep them in your prayers.

Pray for the 2026-2027 school year. Pray for the teachers, students, and administrators at all the different schools…Bryon Center Christian Elementary, Century Park Learning Center, Dutton Christian Elementary, Grand Rapids Christian Elementary – Evergreen Campus, Legacy Christian Elementary, Southwood Elementary, Oakestown Intermediate School, Byron Center Christian Middle School, Dutton Christian Middle School, Grandville Middle School, Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, Legacy Christian Middle School, Allegan High School, Byron Center High School, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Christian High School, Hopkins High School, South Christian High School, Alma College, Calvin University, Dordt University, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Lake Michigan College, Kettering University, Michigan State University, Valparaiso University and any others that you know of that we missed in this list…that Covenant Church students attend and/or that Covenant adults teach/work at as they embark on another year of school.

Pray for the Furniture Ministry that they will have enough volunteers and donations to continue to serve the people in our community who need furniture.

Please keep the students, mentors, and prayer partners who are part of our Kids Hope program at Southwood School in your prayers. Pray that the students were refreshed over the summer and that they return to school this month with renewed energy and a desire to learn.

Pray for our elders and deacons as they seek to follow God’s will as they make plans for our church.

Pray for our staff that they will remain energized and encouraged in their daily work here at Covenant Church.