Praise God for bringing us to the start of a new ministry year. Pray for our preschoolers, kids, and students to grow in their faith and knowledge of God's Word. Ask God to bless and strengthen all the volunteers in our age-group ministries as they serve faithfully week in and week out. Ask God to grow our unity and community as a church through our small groups. Pray for all those in our faith family who are not yet in a small group to find the right one for them to help them grow in Christ.

This week we are praying for Banks Academy, a private Christian high school in East Lake with a mission to train and educate with excellence and provide hope for a bright future. They are celebrating seven years of serving low-income families in the eastern Birmingham area. We’re also praying this week for Household of Faith Church in East Lake and Pastor Larry Cockrell.

Day 1: Pray for the teachers and staff at Banks Academy to stay focused on their desire and goal to present the Lord Jesus to their students and impact their lives forever. Pray for them to encourage and support each other throughout the day. Pray for their hearts and minds to be open to the new principal’s leadership.

Day 2: Pray for the Lord to be gracious to Banks Academy in their financial needs. Pray for the entire $950,000 budget to be met without delay. Pray for new donors and supporters to come alongside the families in East Lake that are seeking better educational choices for their children.

Day 3: Pray for a hedge of protection around Banks Academy. Pray that Satan will not be effective in his desire to kill, steal, and destroy their students and school. Pray for the safety of the students at school, especially when they are not in the building. Pray for God’s protection from shootings and other evils in the city.

Day 4: Pray for the students of Banks Academy. Pray for the teachers to have ears to listen and discern the physical and spiritual needs of each student. Pray for Banks to not only be a place to receive an extraordinary education, but also to be a safe space for students to exist.

Day 5: Pray for Banks Academy’s new principal, Dr. Cathy Trimble, as she leads the teachers and staff. Pray for Banks Academy’s board members. Pray for them to be clearly led in all decision making by the Lord. Pray for the Lord to continue to guide the board in the decision to relocate.

Day 6: Above all else, pray for the love of Christ to be evident in all Banks Academy does, and that animosity and hate will not be observed in its halls.

This week we are praying for Ryan and Lauren F. serving among a least reached people group from the Horn of Africa. Ryan and Lauren were sent out as long-term workers from Brook Hills to engage a population of this people group living in the U.S. Through a creative business platform, Ryan and Lauren serve the needs of this people group and provide access to the gospel. Join us this week as we pray for Ryan, Lauren, and their family.

DAY 1: Praise God for the opportunities He has given Ryan and Lauren to use their business as a means to engage unreached communities throughout the U.S. with the gospel. Pray that God would be honored through these business endeavors.

DAY 2: Pray for God to continue to open many doors for the gospel through these opportunities the business offers. Pray for God to provide strategic partners who are working within the homeland of this people group to join the business.

DAY 3: Ryan has recently met a young man who is interested in Christ. Pray for more opportunities for Ryan to share and for the Lord to soften the heart of this young man to the gospel.

DAY 4: Pray for Ryan and Lauren’s employees as they engage the communities of this people group with their product. Pray for good relationships to be built and for trusted friendships to emerge.

DAY 5: Ryan and Lauren will be hosting a conference next month. Pray for the preparation of the conference details to come together. Pray for the meetings to be fruitful for the advancement of the kingdom among the least reached in the U.S.

DAY 6: Pray for Ryan and Lauren’s family. Ask God to give them wisdom and encouragement as they serve together and make His name known among the least reached.