https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:08:57 +0000 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/40-days-prayer-synod-2024 You’re Invited! Pray for the CRC for 40 days leading up to Synod 2024 Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/40-days-prayer-synod-2024 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/crc-annual-day-prayer-resources-march-13-2024 Synod has designated the second Wednesday in March (March 13, 2024) as the Annual Day of Prayer. On this date each year, all CRC congregations are requested to take time to ask for God’s blessing upon the world, our nations and communities, crops and industry, and the church worldwide. Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/crc-annual-day-prayer-resources-march-13-2024 Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-coaching-reorienting-yourself-and-your-church-toward-god What would it look like to be freed from the pressure to have to make church work, to work to have more people to do more programs to fabricate more energy and to do more with less? It's tiring just thinking about it. Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-coaching-reorienting-yourself-and-your-church-toward-god Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:57:09 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/so-we-keep-prayinginto-holy-chaos Before Synod 2023 I wrote the post, “So We Pray…” Synod 2023 is now in the rearview mirror.  I believe that now, more than ever, we need to keep praying.  I’ve heard many responses from Synod 2023. Responses like this: Diane Dykgraaf https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/so-we-keep-prayinginto-holy-chaos Thu, 13 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/hosting-our-first-ever-prayer-open-house-brookfield-crc Hello, Network readers!  Pam Chapman https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/hosting-our-first-ever-prayer-open-house-brookfield-crc Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-psalm-13-0 On May 4, the Synodical Delegates will be joining together for their second pre-synod prayer gathering.  This prayer guide, based on the Lament of Psalm 13, is being honest before God about our tiredness and weariness that so many feel today in our divided nation and divided churches. & Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-psalm-13-0 Mon, 24 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/my-dad-can-still-pray Sunday morning, July 2, 2018, started routinely. My husband and I decided to attend church with my dad, an hour and a half away. Cindy Thomas https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/my-dad-can-still-pray Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/longing-be-christ-40-days-prayer-synod-2023 You’re Invited! Pray for the CRC for 40 days leading up to Synod 2023 Congregational Ministries https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/longing-be-christ-40-days-prayer-synod-2023 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-trusting-church-god-psalm-1271-2 We often think that we have to build God's church for him. Now none of us would actually say that, but often that's how we go about our daily tasks.  Solomon wrote in Psalm 127 that, "unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain."   Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-trusting-church-god-psalm-1271-2 Sun, 11 Sep 2022 16:58:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/new-ebook-praying-times-grief The most difficult days in my life came in the weeks after 9/11. The woman I had been married to for seven years told me she wanted a divorce, leaving our two small children with me. Christopher Hunt https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/new-ebook-praying-times-grief Tue, 23 Aug 2022 13:15:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/ten-commandments-prayers A few years back, I preached a series of sermons on the Ten Commandments and wrote a prayer of confession based on each commandment. Brian Hofman https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/ten-commandments-prayers Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:27:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-preaching-christ-philippians-112-18 Paul faced opposition in Philippi with those who put him in prison. He faced opposition from those who preached for their own gain. But Paul's perspective is what we pray: Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-preaching-christ-philippians-112-18 Mon, 11 Jul 2022 18:21:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-colossians-35-17 On May 25, the Synodical Delegates will meet for the Convening Session of Synod 2022. This prayer guide, based on Colossians 3:5-17, calls us to put off the old self and put on the new self, clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-colossians-35-17 Thu, 19 May 2022 19:58:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/scheduled-prayer-gatherings-forty-days-prayer As you may already know, everyone is invited to pray the “Forty Days of Prayer” leading up to Synod 2022 (Information and sign-ups can be found here). These prayers will arrive daily in your inbox. Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/scheduled-prayer-gatherings-forty-days-prayer Wed, 27 Apr 2022 22:13:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-psalm-13 On April 27, the Synodical Delegates will be joining together for their second pre-synod prayer gathering.  This prayer guide, based on the Lament of Psalm 13, is being honest before God about our tiredness and weariness that so many feel today in our divided nation and divided churches Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-psalm-13 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:56:19 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-easter-1-corinthians-15 The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. The Apostle Paul writes that without the resurrection, our preaching (and praying) is useless and so is our faith.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. And so we seek the Face of God in prais Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-easter-1-corinthians-15 Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:31:23 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-dependence-upon-god-2-chronicles-206-12 In 2 Chronicles 20, the people of Israel faced a situation where there didn't seem to be any way out. It looked hopeless. Yet, in the midst of it, they turned to God in prayer, acknowledging that God rules over all (Reverence), that they didn't know what to do (Response), that they had Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-dependence-upon-god-2-chronicles-206-12 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 16:27:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-philippians-44-9 On March 30, the Synodical Delegates will be joining together for their first pre-synod prayer gathering. This prayer guide, from Philippians 4:4-9, leads us in being honest about our anxiousness for this season in the life of our denomination.  Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-philippians-44-9 Wed, 23 Mar 2022 18:26:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-discernment-psalm-131-luke-2242-and-james-15 When it comes to following God's will in our lives, we are to lean into discerning and following God's leading, rather than debating and deciding what we think is best.   Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-discernment-psalm-131-luke-2242-and-james-15 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:14:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/video-prayer-ukraine The DeVuyst family has been serving as missionaries with Resonate Global Mission in Ukraine since 1998.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/video-prayer-ukraine Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:34:04 +0000