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.

Risala Albadra is continuing to recover at home following surgery on her carotid artery. Please pray for healing for Risala. (Elder: Jammal)

Marly Baar returned home last Sunday. She is now waiting for consultations with her doctors and scheduling dates for her two upcoming surgeries. She appreciates your cards and your prayers. (Elder: Vander Weide)

We express our sympathy to the Bulthuis family in the passing of Lisa’s father, Roger Izenbaard. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround the Bulthuis family during this time. (Elder: DeVries)

Please continue to remember Linda Coleman in your prayers. Pray also for Steve as he faithfully visits and cares for Linda. (Elder: Padding)

Please continue to pray for Ann Cool. She is still struggling with headaches and bumps on her head. Please pray that her recent medication change will help relieve her headaches and for a good appointment as she sees her doctor this month. (Elder: Brinks)

Gord DeBoer is beginning chemo and immunotherapy treatments for his cancer. He also continues to have fluid drained. Please pray that the treatments Gord receives are successful, for minimal side effects, patience, and for healing. (Elder: Patterson)

Tena Docter remains in hospice care at Rest Haven in Holland. Please pray for comfort for Tena and her family. (Elder: Padding)

Mike Drenth, son of Don Drenth, had 3 heart bypasses and a heart valve repaired this past Thursday. He is out of Cardiac ICU and is making some slow recovery progress. A big thank you to the many expressions of concern from the Covenant members. Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers for complete healing.  (Elder: Jammal)

Please continue to pray for Pay Gai as he continues to heal from his badly broken leg. (Elder: Jammal)

Nels Haan’s procedure to correct his AFib went well and he is feeling much better. Give thanks to God for the healing and renewed strength Nels has received. (Elder: Brinks)

Virginia Huizenga is experiencing somewhat less intensity with pain due to current medications. She would appreciate phone calls and short visits. Please call prior to visiting. (Elder: Padding)

Randy Knoll is undergoing treatment for cancer in his abdominal area. Please pray that these treatments are successful, for minimal side effects, patience, and for healing. (Elder: Brinks)

Ernie Leep continues to receive treatments for his esophageal cancer. Please pray that these treatments are successful, for minimal side effects, patience, and for healing. (Elder: Padding)

James Ngabonziza is on the National Kidney Transplant list and is working through the process of planning and preparation for a kidney transplant. Please pray for healing for James and peace for him and his family as they continue this journey towards a kidney transplant. (Elder: Padding)

We express our sympathy to Marilyn Niewiek DeJong in the passing of her grandson, Nick Haan. Nick is a nephew of Dave and Wendy Niewiek. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround Marilyn, Dave, Wendy, and the rest of their family during this time. (Elder: Vander Weide)

John Noriega’s procedure on the veins in his legs has been going well and he has noticed improvement. Give thanks for the improvement and pray for continued healing.  (Elder: Patterson)

Karen Petchauer has moved to Ohio to be closer to family. Please pray that she adjusts well to her new living situation. (Elder: Jammal)

Rob Ritsema is continuing to recover from his back surgery. Please continue to pray for patience and healing. (Elder: VanderWeide)

We express our sympathy to Doug Ryskamp in the passing of his wife, Ruth. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to continue to surround Don and his family during this time. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Jeff Todd, stepson to Bev and Bob VanderHeide, is currently on daily chemo pills. He also has had radiation treatments on his spine which have caused some pain while walking. Thank you for your continued prayers for him and his family. Please pray for his discomfort to lessen and strength for each day as he continues treatments.  (Elder: Jammal)

We express our sympathy to the family of Joan Van Der Weele. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to continue to surround them during this time.  (Elder: Jammal)

We express our sympathy to Gord VanderArk in the passing of his wife, Saramae. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to continue to surround Gord and his family during this time. (Elder: Padding)

We express our sympathy to Vivian Waite in the passing of her stepson, Robert Borr. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround Vivian and her family during this time.(Elder: Brinks)

Pastor Jeff’s surgery went well and he is continuing to recover. There was small spot of cancer found in the margins. The lymph nodes were clear. He will have further testing done in the coming weeks. Please pray for complete healing. (Elder: Patterson)

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 2025-2026 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, Fremont Christian School, 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 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.