“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms.”
—James 5:13
Prayer and Praise
We invite you to join us in prayer for our ministry activities and outreaches.
Thank you for bringing our requests before the Lord.
Sunday 3 – This month churches around the country shift back into a school year schedule with their programming and planning. Ask God to direct these churches along “paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Pray for us to be able to have a part in this through supporting church leadership in growing strategic, clear paths for more families and individuals living with disabilities to come to know God and connect with Christ-honoring churches.
Monday 4 – Today as we in the United States celebrate Labor Day, pray for people living with disability whose government assistance benefits are at risk when they seek employment. Pray for God to provide every dollar they need for accessible transportation and housing, caregiving costs, food, medical equipment, and healthcare.
Tuesday 5 – With the fall semester beginning for colleges and universities, we have the privilege of onboarding students for our Respite at Home and Corporate internships. Pray God’s hand guides the process of matching Respite at Home interns to families. May this experience of service among people with disabilities open hearts and minds for a lifetime of career decisions.
Wednesday 6 – Our Christian brothers and sisters in several areas around the world are experiencing high levels of persecution with unfounded imprisonments, attacks, arsons, and killings. Often people with disabilities are the most vulnerable. Pray for God’s people to have courage to speak up so that the gospel message will not be squashed in these areas. Pray for this mistreatment and persecution to end.
Thursday 7 – This weekend we’re hosting an Overnight Respite simultaneously with a Single Parent Getaway in North Carolina. Ask God to bless this dual-purpose ministry and open similar events in additional locations. Pray for the parents and children to enjoy a special time.
Friday 8 – This weekend a Marriage Getaway in Texas will provide an opportunity for couples living with disabilities to connect and be refreshed. Pray for each couple to have a renewed sense of God’s purpose in their circumstances and for their marriage to be strengthened.
Saturday 9 – Today veterans and active military suffering from wounds of war arrive at our Warrior Getaway in Maryland. Together with their families, they will have opportunities to process the difficult life circumstances common to them all. Ask God to fan into flame hope for the future. Pray for their healing and restoration.
Monday 11 – On this anniversary of the attacks of September 11, pray for the individuals who still bear the wounds and trauma of that day. Pray also for the men and women who bear the visible and invisible wounds of war.
Tuesday 12 – This Friday the Baptist Convention of Venezuela will meet for a national pastor’s conference where Joni and Friends and our partners will have the opportunity to teach about disability ministry. Pray for clear communication regarding a biblical theology of suffering and disability. May God’s will be done in Venezuela as it is in heaven.
Wednesday 13 – Together with our partners in Guatemala we are hosting an International Family Retreat for families living with disabilities in Guatemala. As many families rely on public transportation, pray for safety and ease of travel without delays. Ask God to make the days of the Family Retreat a time when every family member can learn more of his love and grace.
Thursday 14 – This weekend a Marriage Getaway in Arizona will allow couples living with disability a time to reconnect and be refreshed. Pray for each couple to be more aware of God’s blessings and nearness as a result of this weekend.
Friday 15 – This weekend siblings of children with disabilities will connect with others who “get it” at our Louisiana Sibling Getaway. Ask God to encourage each attendee with the knowledge they are seen, loved, and do not need to carry their burdens alone.
Saturday 16 – Joni and Friends is asking God to provide team members who have vibrant relationships with Jesus Christ and hearts for people with disabilities to fill our open positions throughout the United States. Pray for wisdom as our Human Resources team connects with each person who applies.
Sunday 17 – Pray for Joni as she continues to recover from pneumonia.
Monday 18 – This week our teams and partners are coordinating International Family Retreats in Ghana, Uruguay, and Argentina. Pray for each event to run smoothly and for attendees to have ears to hear the gospel presentation.
Tuesday 19 – Praise God for the opportunities we have this week to provide mobility equipment and the gospel message in two sensitive countries. Ask God to open doors through the provision of wheelchairs so that the light of the gospel would illuminate hearts and minds.
Wednesday 20 – Praise God with us for the 119 families served at four Family Retreats through Joni and Friends Northwest. Pray for continued connections with churches so new believers will receive ongoing discipleship and families will feel welcomed and wanted in a local church body.
Thursday 21 – Praise God for the successful launch of the Ukrainian language Beyond Suffering course held last week after a two-year translation process. Ask God to similarly bless the training held in Bulgaria this week. Pray the Beyond Suffering coursework will equip church and ministry leaders to serve those with disabilities and their families throughout Eastern Europe.
Friday 22 – This weekend special needs moms and women caregivers have the opportunity to prioritize rest, spiritual renewal, and fellowship at a special Ladies Getaway in Ohio. Pray this time with other women who understand the challenges of life with disability will equip each attendee to direct their eyes to Jesus during their daily routines and stresses.
Saturday 23 – Today our offices in Fresno and Chicago are both hosting Walk ‘n’ Roll events. Ask God to allow good weather and fun for each participant as they raise awareness and funds to support ministry in their local communities. Pray for increased opportunities to make a difference in their neighborhoods and regions.
Sunday 24 – Praise God for the opportunity we have this year at the Texas State Fair. Our team in Texas has been invited to partner with the State Fair of Texas during the disability-friendly day on October 4. We will be coordinating volunteer buddies to accompany registered families to experience the fair. Pray for additional volunteers so that each family can have one or two helpers.
Monday 25 – Our first Warrior Getaway in Missouri is a little more than a month away. We still have room for a few more families. Ask God to connect veteran and active military families living with disabilities to our team in Missouri. Pray this will be a step towards increased spiritual, emotional, and relational health for each family who attends.
Tuesday 26 – Ask God to continue to bring qualified individuals who love him to fill our open positions. Because of the growth we are experiencing, we are looking for several additional leaders in our local offices across the United States. Pray each local office will be fully staffed soon.
Wednesday 27 – We are in the midst of finalizing 2024 ministry and event plans and budgets. Pray for God’s direction at each level of decision making and in each area of ministry. Pray that in 2024 we would see more of God’s Kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thursday 28 – Praise God for the way he is opening doors for church training through denominational leaders. Ask God to call leaders who will champion and facilitate ministry that includes people living with disability through Christ-center denominations in the United States.
Friday 29 – Pray for growing relationships with Christian universities that are planning to include internships in disability ministry as a part of their health services curriculum.
Saturday 30 – Today parents and caregivers in Florida will have the opportunity to receive respite through our Halftime Respite partnership with local churches. Pray for kids with disabilities and their siblings to have lots of fun while the adults get the break they need.
