https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:21:54 +0000 Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000 40 Days of Prayer for Synod 2024 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 CRC Annual Day of Prayer Resources (March 13, 2024) 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 Prayer Guide for Synod From Psalm 13 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 Prayer Guide for Trusting the Church to God from Psalm 127:1-2 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 New eBook! Praying in Times of Grief 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 Ten Commandments Prayers 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 Prayer Guide for Preaching Christ from Philippians 1:12-18 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 Prayer Guide for Synod from Colossians 3:5-17 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 Prayer Guide for Synod From Psalm 13 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 Prayer Guide for Easter From 1 Corinthians 15 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 Prayer Guide for Dependence Upon God From 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 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 Prayer Guide for Synod from Philippians 4:4-9 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 Prayer Guide for Discernment From Psalm 131, Luke 22:42, and James 1:5 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 Video Prayer for Ukraine 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 Prayer Guide of Lament From Psalm 13 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-lament-psalm-13 Praying Psalms of Lament gives us our voice before God. Praying the Psalms of Lament together as a community gives us unity in our voice before God.   Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-lament-psalm-13 Tue, 01 Mar 2022 14:41:41 +0000 Prayer Guide for a Kingdom Perspective Based on Colossians 3:1-4 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-kingdom-perspective-based-colossians-31-4 Jesus taught us to prayer the Lord's Prayer.  Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-kingdom-perspective-based-colossians-31-4 Wed, 23 Feb 2022 14:44:09 +0000 Prayer Guide for Unity Based on Philippians 2:1-4 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-unity-based-philippians-21-4 Jesus taught us to prayer the Lord's Prayer.  Jon Hoekema https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayer-guide-unity-based-philippians-21-4 Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:09:51 +0000 Name Your Sadness (a Conversation About Lament) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/name-your-sadness-conversation-about-lament On January 20, Pastor Micah Schuurman led a roundtable conversation hosted by Worship Ministries about lament.  Thrive (CRCNA) https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/name-your-sadness-conversation-about-lament Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:48:49 +0000 Prayers of Lament for Congregational Use https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayers-lament-congregational-use This past Advent (and on the first Sunday after Christmas day), I challenged myself to write prayers of lament for use in our church. Brian Hofman https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/prayers-lament-congregational-use Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:53:29 +0000 Ways To Pray: An eBook From Reframe’s Prayer Ministry https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/ways-pray-ebook-reframes-prayer-ministry “I know why I should pray, but sometimes I just don’t know how to pray.”  Emily Vanden Heuvel https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/prayer/ways-pray-ebook-reframes-prayer-ministry Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:01:41 +0000