October 2023 Prayer and Praise Calendar

 

Week One:

  • October 1 – We praise God for the positive reception we’ve received to the new Nursing with Strength That Endures Bible study. Pray for God to use this study in a mighty way in the lives of students, faculty, and nurses.
  • October 2 – Pray for Jen Wojtysiak, NCF’s Student Ministries Director, and Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, NCF’s National Director, as they travel this week to Central and Eastern Virginia to visit with nursing programs in the area. We ask for God’s protection and travel mercies during their travel and for opportunities to connect with faculty and students. Pray for student groups to be established and for existing groups to be strengthened and encouraged.
  • October 3 – We thank God for the members of the Journal of Christian Nursing Editorial Board and the robust discussion that was held on September 26th. - prayers for a fruitful meeting. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we implement their recommendations and continue to build the quality and impact of the JCN.
  • October 4 – Pray for Heather Hickman (former faculty advisor of Waynesburg) who recently learned her mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • October 5 – Thank you for your continuing prayers for opportunities to openly speak the gospel to nurses by nurses (Ephesians 6:19). May the Lord also "grow" our influence as nurses in the workforce, at school, and with our NCF.
  • October 6 – Ask God for insight and wisdom for JCN contributing editor, Karen Schmidt, who is helping to organize a day-long women’s conference in her church related to mental health. The aim is to lower the stigma of mental health/illness and empower and educate congregants in supporting one another. 
  • October 7 – Sydney is a sophomore at Florida Atlantic University. She led a wonderful first meeting of the year and said the students connected well with one another. There is a sense of excitement for the coming year. We thank God for students like Sydney and their leadership in our student groups.

Week Two:

  • October 8 – Continue to pray for our mentoring program which focuses on recent graduates. Some mentees are new to nursing; others have completed post-graduate degrees. We ask God to use these conversations to draw both the mentor and the mentee into a closer relationship with him in both their faith and practice.
  • October 9 – We praise God for the encouragement he provides to us. One of our nurse group leaders wasn’t sure if the group she was leading should continue. It was such an affirmation to have six faculty participate in the meeting for the month.
  • October 10 – Pray for the NCF podcast that launches next month. We ask God to be in all the logistics and details of recording, editing, publishing, as well as advertising.
  • October 11 – Pray for the Lord to keep the NCF staff physically healthy and emotionally recharged.
  • October 12 – We thank God for the incredible graduate students and professional volunteers who will be working with the JCN team for a limited time this year. May we learn and grow from one another during this time.
  • October 13 – Pray for the Lord to enlarge, lengthen, and strengthen the NCF professional nurse groups in our country (Isaiah 54:2). Give strength and wisdom to our nurse group leaders as they prepare and as they lead. We ask God to protect and guide our leaders as many also face their own individual and personal challenges.
  • October 14 – God is clearly on the move in leading Madeline, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, to restart the NCF student group there. She already has a great group of friends who are eager to help her start the group, and they have a very evangelistic mindset.

Week Three:

  • October 15 – We ask God for an outpouring of his Spirit, truth, discernment, and the building of relationships during our Sunday night prayer group times. Pray for this time to be used to encourage students, faculty, and nurses.
  • October 16 – The NCF student group is relaunching in Spring Arbor. The faculty advisor there has three students willing to lead! Thank you, Jesus, for your provision.
  • October 17 – We ask God to provide for every financial need of the NCF and JCN staff team (Philippians 4:19) as they raise their prayer and financial support teams.
  • October 18 – We ask the Lord to creatively meet all your needs today, at all levels of your inner and outer life, and that you be “surprised by joy.”
  • October 19 – Pray for the personal growth of our student leaders and new students this semester! 
  • October 20 – We ask God for continuing strong manuscripts to be submitted to JCN and wisdom for our editors in helping these manuscripts “shine."
  • October 21 – Pray for wisdom and discernment as our marketing team and leaders consider new items for the NCF store. Pray these items would be used by God to spread the message of who God is among students, faculty, and nurses.

Week Four:

  • October 22 – Many educators and nurses across the country are experiencing staff shortages in their work environments. Pray for God to provide strength and grounding in the work to be done. Give them a clear understanding of the priorities for the day. We ask for God to move in the barriers being experienced by staff.
  • October 23 – Pray for the planning team of InterVarsity as InterVarsity staff from across the country gather in Orlando, Florida in January 2024 for the Staff Conference.
  • October 24 – We ask for God’s presence among nurse group leaders who gather this evening for a time of connection, networking, Bible study, and prayer. Guide our discussion and give us insight as we support students, faculty, and nurses across the country.
  • October 25 – Pray for Sandra (Sandy) Jamison, former NCF staff, who is undergoing an 8-hour spinal surgery today. Pray for wisdom and discernment for her surgeon and for strength, endurance, and clarity for the surgical team. Pray for Sandy’s strength, healing, relief from pain, and encouragement during her recovery and rehab.
  • October 26 – Pray for our college educators nationwide. Pray for endurance, contentment, and provision.
  • October 27 – God, be with each member of our NCF and JCN team – those who serve locally, regionally, and nationally. Give strength and wisdom to those who are caring for and supporting loved ones locally as well as over great distances. We ask for eyes that see and anticipate future needs as well as for wisdom and discernment in developing plans and resources to see students and nurses know and follow Jesus in nursing.
  • October 28 – Pray for our nurse group leaders as they meet with their groups. We ask for encouragement, fellowship, time in the Word, prayer, and support as they gather in person and virtually.

Week Five:

  • October 29 – Pray for the final details and planning to come together and for students, faculty, and nurses to be drawn to our Nursing with Strength that Endures webinar that meets on November 2nd.
  • October 30 – We remember our faith community nurses as they work and serve their parishes, churches, and communities. Pray for support and good communication with others on their leadership team. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and connection as they provide insight and education to others.
  • October 31 – Pray for a successful Global Missions Health Conference which will be held November 9th – 11th. Pray that the planning and execution of the conference would go smoothly. We ask God to use the presentations of the speakers and workshop leaders in the building of His Kingdom, and for the attendees to follow the Lord in serving Him through their various healthcare professional practices. 

You can download the October 2023 Prayer and Praise Calendar here.