We emailed over 100 Irish leaders and asked how we can be praying for them. Here’s what they said:
Leaders themselves
- Looking for creative ways to pastor
- Creative ways to connect beyond digital technology
- New innovations being used
- New website launch
- Peace in the present, but uncertain about what life in the future looks like
- Seeking the Lord in this time
- Toll of pastoral care
- Weight of that when they aren’t okay themselves
- Discernment on how to best serve, use of time
- Issues of funding for churches and Christian organisations
- Changes to job or role descriptions; transition into new roles for some leaders
- Keeping hopeful and share hope with others
- Time do studies but also sadness of stopping study/development
- Courage and energy to turn focus and resources outward as well as caring for those ‘inside’
Health and Protection
- Emotional strength during isolation
- Mental health during this time
- Prayer for friends with COVID19, some in ICU
Their children
- Motivation for kids preparing for state exams and college exams
- Concern for children who have health issues
- Families dealing with working at home and kids, balancing this
For leaders working with young people
- New ways of working with young people, creativity
- Opportunities for youth workers to focus on connection over content
- Creating safe spaces for young people to process what’s happening
- Wisdom to know how to support young people, and disciple them
- For the young people
- Invite friends to online programmes
- Protection for those most vulnerable for whom home is not a safe place
For their teams
- Unity
- That they would support each other and grow as a team
Email Anne at anne.baenziger@innovista.org to join our prayer team and/or if you have any requests we can be praying for during this time.