The weekly prayer cycle begins in March each year and concludes with February. Make a selection below to jump to that month’s weekly prayers.
March: Pray for Health Care in Metropolitan Richmond.
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (Matthew 11:4-5 NRSV)
March 5, 2023. We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For persons living with terminal illnesses and for their families, friends, and communities; for persons working to find cures for diseases.
March 12, 2023. We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For all the sick and their caregivers, doctors, nurses, hospice workers, home healthcare workers, and all who minister to the health of others. For clinics, medical personnel, and all institutions that serve persons who are uninsured or underinsured.
March 19, 2023. We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For emergency response personnel and all emergency room staff. For hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice programs; and for persons diagnosed with terminal illness.
March 26, 2023. We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For clinics, medical personnel, and all institutions that serve persons who are uninsured or underinsured. For a national health care system that promotes and encourages health, wellness, and well being for all people.April 2023
April: Pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NRSV)
April 2, 2023. We pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of love, cooperation, peace, community, and commitment to all people in God’s name.
April 9, 2023 – Easter. We pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of hope, of possibility, of eternal life, and of commitment to the redeeming power of God who brings new life out of death to people and communities.
April 16, 2023. We pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of humility, respecting and appreciating the gifts and contributions of all.
April 23, 2023. We pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: To remove any spirit of contentiousness, prejudice, greed, jealousy, or enjoyment of others’ troubles.
April 30, 2023. We pray for the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of justice, righteousness, equality, and mutual benefit. May 2023
May: Pray for the Criminal Justice System in Metropolitan Richmond.
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3 NRSV)
May 7, 2023. We pray for the criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For all who are incarcerated in jails and prisons, their families, and their loved ones; for just institutional policies and programs that foster restorative practices, leading to wholeness and healing.
May 14, 2023. We pray for the criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For the police, judges, lawyers and court personnel, correctional officers and institutions, juvenile detention facilities, and probation officers.
May 21, 2023. We pray for the criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For all chaplains, staff and volunteers who minister in jails and prisons, half-way houses, work release and after-care programs.
May 28, 2023. We pray for the criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For the victims of violent crime and for those who perpetuate violent crime. For situations and institutions that condone, promote, or encourage violent behaviors. June 2023
June: Pray for the Churches and Religious Institutions of Metropolitan Richmond.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (I Cor. 12:12-14 NRSV)
June 4, 2023. We pray for the Churches and religious institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all who seek God on behalf of others; for pastors, ministers, missionaries, lay leaders, congregants, intercessors and other servants of Christ.
June 11, 2023. We pray for the Churches and religious institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all religious communities, abbeys, orders, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, religious societies, and para-church organizations.
June 18, 2023. We pray for the Churches and religious institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For seminaries, bible colleges, and schools training persons for vocations in ministry; for the students, faculty, and staff of these institutions.
June 25, 2023. We pray for the Churches and religious institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of unity, mutuality, cooperation, reconciliation, reform, and common ministry within the faith community.July 2023
July: Pray for Governments and Governing Bodies of Metropolitan Richmond.
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 NRSV)
July 2, 2023. We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Mayor and City Council of Richmond, the City Administrator, and all city employees.
July 9, 2023. We pray for the governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Boards of Supervisors, Councils, Administrators, and government employees of Charles City, Goochland, New Kent, Powhatan, Ashland, Petersburg, and Hopewell.
July 16, 2023. We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Supervisors of Chesterfield County, the County Administrators, and all county employees.
July 23, 2023. We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Supervisors of Henrico County, the County Administrator, and all county employees.
July 30, 2023. We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Supervisors of Hanover County, the County Administrators, and all county employees. August 2023
August: Pray for the Workplaces and Businesses of Metropolitan Richmond.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13 NRSV)
August 6, 2023. We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For financial institutions, sustainable and just investment policies, and effective development efforts to benefit the entire community.
August 13, 2023. We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For economic development in depressed portions of the city, for the establishment of businesses that will create new employment opportunities.
August 20, 2023. We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For owners and managers: for servant leadership, civic responsibility and ethical decision-making.
August 27, 2023. We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For full employment opportunities for our young people and heads of families, for the long-term unemployed, and for the under-employed.September 2023
September: Pray for Schools and Educational Institutions of Metropolitan Richmond.
Only take heed, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children. (Deut 4:9 NRSV)
September 3, 2023. We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all Superintendents, School Boards, School Administrators, PTAs, teachers, students, and staff. For curriculum that is grounded in truth and meaning; for space to nourish the creative seed in both teachers and students.
September 10, 2023. We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all public, private and religious schools; for students, teachers and support personnel, including cafeteria workers, building and grounds staff, and school bus drivers; for all, pre-schools and daycare centers, and for children in home schools.
September 17, 2023. We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For all universities, colleges, seminaries, trade, technical, graduate, and professional schools; for the students, faculty, and staff of these institutions.
September 24, 2023. We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy relationships between parents, teachers, and students; for cooperation between Superintendents and Administrators of public and private schools throughout this metropolitan city. October 2023
October: Pray for Public, Non-profit, and Religious Social Service Work and Ministries in Metropolitan Richmond.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:35-36 NRSV)
October 1, 2023. We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For all in need of social services, all social service departments and caseworkers; for partnerships between the church and other institutions serving the needy.
October 8, 2023. We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For all in need of mental health services, all mental health workers, counselors, and treatment facilities.
October 15, 2023. We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For all who suffer from addiction, dependency or co-dependency of any sort; for twelve-step programs, recovery programs, therapists, and addiction counselors.
October 22, 2023. We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For emergency shelters, women’s shelters, clinics, and feeding programs; for recreation programs, youth programs, juvenile counseling, and young people’s shelters.
October 29, 2023. We pray for public, non-profit, and religious social service work and ministries in Metropolitan Richmond: For advocates who provide a voice for the rights of persons whose voices are not heard.November 2023
November: Pray for the Families of Metropolitan Richmond.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:3 NRSV)
November 5, 2023. We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For single-parent families, adoptive families, foster families, and for households that are communities of friends; for elderly persons living in their own homes, in retirement communities, and in nursing institutions.
November 12, 2023. We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For persons who are lonely or have no family; for persons who are estranged from their families; for persons who are grieving the loss of a loved one; and for all who need to feel the love of God.
November 19, 2023. We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For an end to child abuse; for healthy relationships between children and their caregivers; for the care and protection of infants, children, and youth; and for the intimate knowledge that each one is a beloved child of God.
November 26, 2023. We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For families going through divorce; and for all in the midst of life transitions; for peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness among family members, whatever the distance, and however old the hurt or grievance.December 2023
December: Pray for Persons in Financial Need in Metropolitan Richmond.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19 NRSV)
December 3, 2023. We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For the unemployed and underemployed, for suitable work, living wages, and fair benefits for all workers in this metropolitan city.
December 10, 2023. We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For the homeless and the hungry, for the provision of safe, affordable housing and low cost nutritious food, for the personal safety, dignity, and well being of those who are unable to work.
December 17, 2023. We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy relationships; for constructive, safe, and caring households for the bringing up and nurturing of children and caring for the elderly.
December 24, 2023. We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For the inclusion of all (regardless of race, age, or residency) in the economic health of Metropolitan Richmond.
December 31, 2023. We pray for persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For effective, affordable, regional public transportation to support job access; and for sufficient employment to make healthy family life possible.January 2024
January: Pray to Overcome in Christ’s Name the Heritage of Racism in Metropolitan Richmond.
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 NRSV)
January 7, 2024. We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: For racial reconciliation, healing, and justice in Metropolitan Richmond; for an end to all personal and structural racial prejudice and discrimination, beginning with what is in our own hearts.
January 14, 2024. We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: For the elimination of discrimination in housing, policing, education, employment, transportation, and churches in Metropolitan Richmond.
January 21, 2024. We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: To experience the healing power of Jesus’s resurrection over all personal and institutional results of racism and racial inequality in this metropolitan city.
January 28, 2024. We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: To overcome ignorance, indifference, resentment, and bitterness with regard to race in both private and public life; and to proclaim in word and deed the establishment of a beloved community in Metropolitan Richmond.February 2024
February: Pray for the Coming of God’s Realm in Metropolitan Richmond.
Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10 NRSV)
February 4, 2024. We pray for the coming of God’s realm in Metropolitan Richmond: For a spirit of unity and cooperation among all people in all jurisdictions; to earnestly seek the common welfare of this metropolitan city; to express compassion and care for our natural environment.
February 11, 2024. We pray for the coming of God’s realm in Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy economic development, which enhances the Metropolitan community, employs the unemployed, and contributes to the common good.
February 18, 2024. We pray for the coming of God’s realm in Metropolitan Richmond: For redemption of the divisions, prejudices, pettiness, despair, and discrimination of the past.
February 25, 2024. We pray for the coming of God’s realm in Metropolitan Richmond: For the enhancement of our common life through the Holy Spirit, and for the resurrection of metropolitan Richmond as a modern metropolitan city of hope for the world.