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.‍ ‍

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

Ann Cool had heart surgery at the end of July. Please pray for healing for Ann. (Elder: Brinks)

Gord DeBoer received the results of his CT scan. The scan shows that the chemo is helping but that there was still some growth in a lymph node. Please pray that the treatments Gord receives are effective, for minimal side effects, renewed energy, and for healing. (Elder: Hirdes) 

Cheri DeHaan is continuing her cancer fight. Thank you for all your prayers for Larry and Cheri and please keep praying because God is the ultimate healer! (Elder: DeVries)

Doug and Deb DeKam were in a serious car accident at the end of June. Deb underwent major spinal cord surgery on July 30. Recovery and rehab are expected to be very extensive and painful. Please pray that this surgery was successful, for pain relief, and for complete healing for Deb. Pray also for Doug as he is by her side and cares for her. For updates, you can follow Deb’s Caring Bridge page HERE. (Elder: Jammal)

Pray for Libere Dusabe as he is in Burundi. Pray for safe travel, for God’s wisdom, guidance and protection. Pray for fruitful meetings with staff, community leaders, and program participants. Pray for good health and strength. Please also pray for Donate and their girls as he is away – that the Lord will watch over them, encourage them, and give them peace until Libere returns home. (Elder: Brinks)

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 soon. Please pray that this new treatment is successful and for God’s peace to continue to surround Gerry and Jan.   (Elder: Jammal)

Thank you, Covenant family, for remembering us with your cards, calls, cookies, and flowers. We appreciate it very much. I (Ruth) am staying about the same, although oxygen all the time is somewhat tiring. Dan has had a rough several months with balance trouble and the ability to swallow. He is on meds now and his eating is improving. Since we don’t drive any more, we wondered if a few of you would be able to take us to doctor appointments or errands to free up our family from taking time off work. We would appreciate it. If you can help, please call Dan at 616-890-5570. Thank you! Dan and Ruth Huisman (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 is having heart valve issues and had a heart cath on July 29. Please pray that doctors are able to identify the correct treatment for Russ and for healing. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Jay Morren has moved to Breton Woods Assisted Living and is under hospice care for congestive heart failure. Please pray for God's comfort and peace to surround Jay, Toots, and their family 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)

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

Dave Scheltema continues his rehabilitation at The Oaks of Byron Center. He still feels weak and tires easily. Visits in the late afternoon on weekdays and anytime on Saturdays and Sundays would be welcome. Thank you for your concern and continued prayers. (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. Thank you for all your prayers! They are deeply needed and appreciated! Bob and Bev VanderHeide (Elder: Jammal)

We express our sympathy to Bill & Carole Weaver in the passing of Bill’s mom Beatrice Weaver. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace to surround Bill and Carole and their family during this time. (Elder: Vander Weide)

Please pray for strength and healing for Marilyn Zuiderveen. She has been struggling with headaches and just not feeling well. (Elder: Brinks)

Please pray for our missionary, Kevin Prins, who has been having a lot of back pain. He had a lumbar fusion on July 20. Give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for pain relief and healing for Kevin.

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 upcoming Wednesday Nights on the Lawn community building gatherings for both Covenant Church and the neighborhood. The last gathering is August 19 and is open to everyone. Pray for all of our neighbors.

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 upcoming 2026-2027 school year. During the month of August, teachers and administrators are working hard to prepare for students who will be starting a new year of school. Pray for them. Pray also for the students who will be part of a new classroom/classrooms, and for some students, a completely new school. Each week in August, call or text a student, teacher, or administrator that you know and let them know you are praying for their upcoming school year.

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

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.