This week's prayers relate to this story. Please pray for all our partners – local and national mission partners, churches and Faith Guides – as they share Jesus with children and young people.

Sunday 26 John 4:35. Give thanks to God for Tabz and Hettie and the SASW Trust, and how their faithful sharing of the good news is leading non-churchgoing children and young people to Jesus.

Monday 27 Please pray for the children and young people in the two Southport Grow Communities, that God will bless them for their strong faith in him and deepen their spiritual understanding.

Tuesday 28 Pray for SU’s partners in the gospel using the words of Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Wednesday 29 ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Praise God for providing opportunities for SU and our local and national mission partners to meet, encourage and inspire one another!

Thursday 30 Give thanks to God for the work of Reach in Reading and ask him to bless Sarah and Ann and all the young people they are helping to introduce to Jesus, and to sustain and build strong relationships with schools.

Friday 1 As the season of Advent begins, please pray for our staff and our partners including NMP Artless as they prepare to help children and young people discover the true joy of Christmas and, with it, life in all its fullness.

Saturday 2 Ephesians 4:16. Praise God for bringing together SU and a wide range of partners to support one another in sharing Jesus with the next generation.

Sunday 3 Between 5 and 16 December SU New Zealand is running E3, four 11-day expeditions for 60 young people aged 17–18. The four expeditions will run across Central North Island, Bay of Islands, Canterbury, and Otago. Pray that in the midst of their adventures the young people will meet Jesus.

Monday 4 SU Mission partner ICE in Exeter praise God that they could run their Narnia project again this year. It was wonderful to have hundreds of children coming through the interactive experience and getting a sense of the wonder of CS Lewis’s world and the truth which inspired it.

Tuesday 5 Zoraida Ali-Smith, PA to SU’s Director of Mobilisation, asks us to pray for the development of a new ‘Welcome Pack’ for new supporters. Pray that the stories of God at work through the movement will inspire people to get further involved.

Wednesday 6 Bookings for the 2024 holidays will open soon. Pray that children who went on our holidays in 2023 will be keen to sign up, and that new children will discover what the holidays have to offer too. Pray for the Mission Events team as they work on the website and the brochure.

Thursday 7 Pray for churches and organisations who will use our new booklet The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas; pray that the children they make contact with will glimpse something of who Jesus is.

Friday 8 Mission Partner Lightspace in Grantham is thankful for Jennie Fytche, Schools Worker, and asks us to pray that the resources needed will be provided, and that the work will have an impact. Pray too that they will see growth in volunteers, links with churches, the pastoral base and the schools’ worker team.

Saturday 9 Pray for Marketing Officer Claire Baines as she continues to build relationships within SU and beyond to ensure that our products and activities are as widely known as possible. Pray that the Christmas resources she’s promoting will have a great impact on many children and young people.

Sunday 10 SU Scotland give thanks that Lendrick Muir, one of their three outdoor residential centres, received a Quality Badge from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. Pray for those who work at their centres, asking that they will shine for Jesus and see the value in the work they do. Pray that God will add to the team, particularly bringing in more outdoor activity instructors.

Monday 11 National Mission Partner Soul Children UK praises God for 12 youth choirs up and running around the nation. Please pray for all their Christmas performances this month, asking that many families will be introduced to Jesus through music and songs they can relate to.

Tuesday 12 Pray for Emma Price as she provides administrative support to the Amplify Young Evangelists Academy residentials. Pray that these will be times of great encouragement to the young people, as they are equipped and empowered to share their faith.

Wednesday 13 Give thanks for all our Faith Guides across the country, for their passion and commitment to the Revealing Jesus framework. As we approach Christmas, pray for all the seasonal activities and events they will be leading around England and Wales to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Thursday 14 In this season of Advent, we give thanks for our supporters, for their generosity, love, faithfulness and passion. Pray that God will bless and encourage them at this special time of year.

Friday 15 Please pray for the leadership of Mission Partner Farne Christian Youth and Families Outreach. Pray for direction in the work of reaching young people and families in this area of north Northumberland.

Saturday 16 Pray for Database Manager Gill Russell as, with the supporter database firmly bedded in, the team explore the possibilities of all the new functionality and technology available to us. Pray that they’ll find ways to improve the way we serve our supporters and thereby increase our reach to the 95.

Sunday 17 Pray for Bible reading promotion and distribution in schools, colleges and universities being undertaken by SU Tanzania. About 6,500 Bibles have been distributed recently.

Monday 18 Many of the Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners in the north will be involved with Christmas activities in schools, clubs and churches. Please pray for a lasting impact from these activities and that many children and young people would want to find out more about Jesus.

Tuesday 19 Pray for Mission Partner The Bus Stop working in York and Scarborough. Having had a challenging year, they need to appoint a new Chair, more Trustees, and a lead Youth Worker. Pray for them as they seek God’s will in their ministry to reach young people in deprived urban and more isolated rural areas.

Wednesday 20 Please pray for Richard Shaw as he leads the three teams that make up Mission Development (Mission Events, Regional Mission and the Development Hub). These teams are responsible for Scripture Union’s direct mission to the 95 through the Revealing Jesus mission framework.

Thursday 21 It may be nearly Christmas, but many of our volunteers are already working on our Easter holiday programme. Please pray for the leaders of our Easter holidays as they prepare, and for more team members to come forward to serve.

Friday 22 Please pray for Jill Warren, Content Assistant in the Development Hub. Pray particularly for her as she works on an online ‘magazine’ called Easter Matters to help anyone looking for activities, resources, ideas and inspiration for celebrating Easter at church, school, in the community or at home.

Saturday 23 Be More Micah – Environment is a resource which tunes in to the desire of young people aged 14–18 to change the world and shows them that this is God’s desire too. Please pray that through these resources many young people will meet with the One who created everything and discover God’s heart for justice.

Sunday 24 Pray that the Education Department of the Government of Papua New Guinea will endorse and recommend SU to all schools in the country. Pray too for more volunteers to carry out and support the work of SU in the four regions of PNG.

Monday 25 Create some space today not only to rejoice in the birth of the Saviour, but to remember the thousands of children and young people in England and Wales who know nothing of his love. Pray that in the coming year they will encounter someone who will share the good news.

Tuesday 26 The Digital Solutions team, working closely with the Finance team and our new Financial Controller Craig Macpherson, are investigating ways we can make our finance systems more efficient and secure. Please pray for insight and wisdom as decisions are made.

Wednesday 27 Pray for Chris Clark, the worker for Mission Partner Coniston Christian Fellowship. He asks for wisdom on how best to run a holiday club next Easter, for finding storage space for his resources, and for running children’s clubs while also finding time for adults.

Thursday 28 Pray for Safeguarding Manager Rachel Settatree as she develops new safeguarding materials for leaders to use with new or younger team members that are more appropriate to their level of understanding. Pray too that children will understand how safeguarding works on our activities and events.

Friday 29 Pray that God will give vision to Faith Guides to start new Grow Communities around the country and that the 95 will come with open hearts to these Grow Communities to connect and hear the good news of Jesus.

Saturday 30 Give thanks for God’s direction over recent months as we have refined the Revealing Jesus strategy to widen its reach and impact – providing a new level of Mission Support to local churches in their journey alongside the 95 in their communities.

Sunday 31 Praise God for the publication of the SU Canada Family Prayer Calendar. It provides a daily scripture and a prayer, as well as a monthly fiveminute adventure to encourage families to grow in faith together.

Monday 1 Give thanks for the opportunities that the South West team has had during 2023 and pray for God’s direction as they plan for new missions, Faith Guide holidays and growing the partnership with the South West Youth Ministries residential in 2024.

Tuesday 2 Pray for Rob Steward as he leads the SU team in the north of England. Pray that he may have renewed wisdom and creativity for the year ahead as he works alongside churches, Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners.

Wednesday 3 Pray for Mission Partner Hunsley Christian Youth Trust at the start of this new term; pray for the schools they serve and for their youth workers as they go into these schools.

Thursday 4 In just over a week’s time we will be running the first of three gatherings for our holiday and mission leaders. Please pray for those who come that they will be excited and inspired to share the good news with children and young people in the coming year.

Friday 5 Pray for Database Officer, Meri Suokas. She asks for wisdom as she works with the wider Digital Solutions team to ensure that our supporter and customer system serves the needs of the movement in the most effective way in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats in the online world.

Saturday 6 Mission Partner The Great Open Door assembly team in Harlow are halfway through their Making a Difference programme in primary schools. Pray that the team will remain focused, fresh and inspired and will enjoy the familiarity of the script without losing dynamism and infectious joy.

Sunday 7 Join SU South Africa in praising God for funding to appoint a deaf staff member who will focus on translating their resources into South African Sign Language. Please pray for this process and for open doors at the schools for deaf children.

Monday 8 As IT systems that improve our effectiveness and efficiency become more complex, Technical Services Assistant James Gregg would appreciate prayer for wisdom and understanding in the changing world of online security and the tools for managing it.

Tuesday 9 As a new year of Bible reading guides begins, pray that each day will inform, challenge, encourage and equip all those who use them, whether online or in print.

Wednesday 10 As a member of the Finance team, Alicia Wallace requests prayer as the team are introduced to new challenges with the appointment of a new Finance Controller. Pray that the team will work productively together, each fulfilling their respective roles.

Thursday 11 National Mission Partner Sports Factory asks us to pray for the schools’ sports work going on daily around Norfolk; pray that they would connect well with young people and teachers and that more would come to the sports activities where they can explore the truth about Jesus.

Friday 12 Pray for the ongoing development of SU’s resources for Easter this year. Pray that each member of the team involved in the process will know their value and worth and will have insight and creativity as they work on content.

Saturday 13 Director of Mobilisation, Rachel Warwick asks us to pray for SUM which we hope to launch online this month. This includes new content and social media channels designed to help us build connections with younger supporters. 

This week's prayers relate to this story. Please pray for our holidays and missions – for the children and young people who come on them, and all those involved in organising.

Sunday 14 Give thanks to God for the holidays and missions that took place last year, and for all the volunteers and SU staff who gave their time, energy and skills to make them happen.

Monday 15 Please pray for all the children and young people who came on SU holidays and missions last year. Ask God to spur them on to learn more that they might grow in their understanding of how much he loves them and how they can know him personally.

Tuesday 16 Bookings have opened for our holidays and missions which restart in March 2024. Please pray that young people, children and their families will be excited and eager to book a place.

Wednesday 17 Give thanks to God for those who will be leading SU holidays or missions for the first time in 2024. Ask God to give them the insight and wisdom to know how best to share Jesus with the children and young people they encounter.

Thursday 18 Please pray for Jo Morley and our Mission Event Operations team as they finalise the holidays and missions programme for 2024, including some exciting new events!

Friday 19 Praise God for raising up such inspiring and dedicated volunteers to lead and serve on SU holidays and missions. Pray that they feel energised at the prospect of what God will do in the lives of the children and young people that book onto all the events.

Saturday 20 Give thanks to God for his faithful provision, year after year, releasing the funds and raising up the volunteers that we need to run a full programme of holidays and missions.

Sunday 21 SU in German-speaking Switzerland is developing two new projects. One is a new children’s week that involves parents and family members. The other is two adventure hiking trails in tourist regions. Pray for the development of these two projects, for the right contacts, the necessary permits and the finances.

Monday 22 Please pray for the South East regional team as they prepare for a regional gathering in the spring, asking that it will enhance their continuing work with local churches and will lead to more children and young people coming to know Jesus.

Tuesday 23 Pray that Mission Enabler Jenni Whymark will have wisdom in managing time as she supports Faith Guides and works with others to look at effective ways to reach children and young people for Jesus.

Wednesday 24 Every month, more and more children download and start to play the Guardians of Ancora Bible app. Give thanks for the 1,500+ players who will be beginning their Ancora adventure this month and for the way that the app keeps bringing new players to explore the life of Jesus in this child-friendly way.

Thursday 25 Please pray for Gemma Willis in her role as Head of Development Hub. Ask God to give her wisdom, inspiration and clarity as she balances competing priorities and plans for the future of Scripture Union’s content ministry.

Friday 26 Pray that more volunteers will be called to start their Journey as Faith Guides this year and begin to connect with the 95. Pray that we will have wisdom in knowing how best to support them and encourage them to go and make disciples.

Saturday 27 Mission Partner Stort Valley Schools Trust gives thanks for deepening relationships with schools, staff and students, particularly those championing the work from within. Praise God for the permanent Soul Spaces now established in several schools and pray for more opportunities for this in other schools.

Sunday 28 Thank God for the holiday camp for children, adolescents and young people run by SU Togo which took place in July and was a resounding success. Pray that those who came will continue to think about what they learned.

Monday 29 Thank God for the various printing companies who produce our printed resources. Pray that in their interactions with the SU staff and in the content they process they will meet the risen Christ and respond to him.

Tuesday 30 The Supporter Care team is usually the first point of contact for Scripture Union supporters. Pray for Jim Winning (Supporter Care Lead) and the team as they engage with those who contact Scripture Union to donate or order resources. Pray for the team today as they meet to reflect and plan.

Wednesday 31 Please join the team in the central region in praying for the planning of their regional gathering of Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners. They ask that it would be a time to encounter God, discern his direction and to be equipped to share his love with the emerging generation across central England.

Thursday 1 Mission Partner The Pimlico Foundation asks for prayer for the expansion of the current team; that they will be able to recruit the right people to grow and develop the vision of the Pimlico Foundation.

Friday 2 Pray for the Board of SU England and Wales as they meet today. Among other items on the agenda will be the annual review of the Safeguarding Policy and a review of the draft budget for the next financial year. Pray for direction and faith as they look to the future.

Saturday 3 Toby Chant, Mission Enabler in the southwest, became parttime this month and is now working to new weekly rhythms. Please pray that during this time of transition he will be able to continue serving the Faith Guides he supports and make wise decisions about how to use his time.

Sunday 4 Pray for all those who read SU Portugal’s devotional publications including Today, TribUB, Day by Day and Bread from Heaven, that the Lord will bless each one and help them grow in faith.

Monday 5 Please pray that the leadership of Mission Partner Trobwynt (working in and around Criccieth, Wales) will have a clear sense of God’s leading as they seek his direction for the future. It has been hard to get back into schools after Covid and there are funding issues.

Tuesday 6 Mission Enabler Pete Croall asks us to pray for those connected to Scripture Union who will be sharing the good news with thousands of children and young people in Berkshire, Essex and Hertfordshire in the run-up to Easter. Please pray that God will guide their preparation and give them energy.

Wednesday 7 Our final gathering for holiday and mission leaders takes place this weekend, and we are also planning a series of online workshops to equip leaders and volunteers for the events this year. Please pray for all who are delivering these, that they will be able to encourage and inspire our wonderful volunteers for the work in the year ahead. 

Thursday 8 Pray for churches and other groups running the Deep Sea Divers holiday club during February half-term. Pray that as the children explore the stories from Matthew’s Gospel they will meet Jesus, perhaps for the first time. 

Friday 9 Pray that Mission Partner Southampton City Mission will find more volunteers to lead their Question of Faith sessions in Southampton schools. Pray too for energy after February half-term, their busiest season in schools with many Easter themed Question of Faith days and assemblies.

Saturday 10 The Digital team spent much of 2023 focusing on the security of our systems in an increasingly challenging world and are now approaching the first reassessment of annual tests. Please pray for the team as they continue to deal with constantly changing technology.

Sunday 11 SU Nepal is publishing a daily devotional Bible guide in Nepali. They recently printed and distributed 1,500 copies of the guide for the new year. Pray this will help people to meet God daily.

Monday 12 Pray for Communications Officer Chloe Shivraj and the rest of the Communications team as they seek to engage with supporters in a way that is relevant and meaningful, with the hope of encouraging them to increase support for the work of SU.

Tuesday 13 Give thanks for all the Grow Communities and emerging Grow Communities, and for all the children and young people who attend and are growing in their relationship with God. Pray for those who lead them and that SU will be able to support them in the work that they are doing.

Wednesday 14 Please pray for the Wales team as they work alongside consultants Meleri and Rebekah to develop research around Generation Alpha, looking at who they are, how they see the world and how they engage with faith; they are using questionnaires and focus groups and piloting new events and groups based on the research.

Thursday 15 Pray for mission partner Hope Pembrokeshire’s upcoming programme of events including Lego club, family arts and crafts, family services and after school clubs. Pray that through these events, and through their support of the Brownies group and Army Cadets children, young people and families might encounter Jesus.

Friday 16 Please pray that the connections Tracy Jassal (Support Worker in the south-west) has with Faith Guides, Local Mission Partners and supporters will be strengthened and that she can be a valuable support to them.

Saturday 17 Pray that all young people who visited the Rooted tent at Luminosity will continue to explore and to grow. Pray too for the launch of the Rooted hybrid, which will create online communities for young people who are involved in Rooted across the north-west.

Sunday 18 Pray for teams engaging in mission with young people in countries where Christian work is restricted in some way as they offer vital engagement with the Bible and the way God’s Big Story can have an impact on young people’s lives.

Monday 19 Pray that Young Leaders’ Enabler Rachel Blake will have God’s wisdom and discernment as she develops resources and training to help equip young leaders who take part in SU’s holidays and missions.

Tuesday 20 Join with us in celebrating the faithfulness of God in providing for our needs. Pray that we will continue to be blessed with all we need to grow the ministry so that more children and young people may come to know Jesus. 

Wednesday 21 Please pray for strengthened relationships with our Mission Partners across England and Wales. Pray that we will be able to offer the Revealing Jesus framework in relevant ways for them to join with us in that vision for children and youth.

Thursday 22 Please pray for Guardians of Ancora clubs in the weeks before Easter. Pray for the children discovering the stories of Jesus’ death and resurrection, perhaps for the first time. Pray too for club leaders as they seek to provide opportunities to explore the meaning of these events – and what it means for each person in the club.

Friday 23 Work has already begun on Daily Bread and Encounter with God for 2025. Thank God for all the writers, editors, designers, proofreaders and others who work tirelessly behind the scenes on these notes to ensure that they enable all our readers to grow closer to Jesus and live for him.

Saturday 24 Supporter Care Assistant John Cartwright asks us to pray that the different types of computer software and hardware that the team use every day will function well together so that we can continue to serve supporters and customers effectively.