NCFI Prayer Guide

Thank God for the members of all National Nurses Christian Fellowships (NNCF’s) around the world and their commitment to the work of Christian nursing around the world.

Thank God for the members of the NCFI International Board and their work within and for the six worldwide NCFI regions. 

Thank God for Barbara White, NCFI President, and Tove Giske, Vice President, as they provide leadership for the NCFI organization. Thank God for David Parfitt, NCFI administrator, as he manages the daily operations of NCFI. 

Thank God for the NCF members participating in the NCFI Leadership Development programme.  Pray that Sue Allen and Viki Vowell, who are the programme writers, may be given the Creativity, Wisdom, and Strength needed for this task.

Pray for clarity of vision and wisdom as an Ad-Hoc NCFI Board meets in May.

Thank God for those involved in the planning the NCFI 2012 Quadrennial conference in Latin America. Ask that the Holy Spirit give them Wisdom and Unity as they make optimal choices for the conference.

Pray for adequate fiscal resources for NCFI in this difficult global economic climate.

Verse of the week: Eph 4: 1-3 I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run! —on the road God called you to travel… And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

Thank God for the NCF leadership in USA. Pray for the members as they pray and search for the right person to head this role. Pray for grace and wisdom for USA Interim Director, Jane Hall, as she serves in this capacity.

Thank God for Canada’s NCF leadership. Pray for wisdom and courage for the steering committee co-led by Judith Fanaken and Fronica Yiu as they pray discern the new structure for NCF Canada. Pray for discernment as members make decisions at the national annual meeting June 10-13.

Pray that the CANA sub-committee, co-led by Jane Pfeiffer and Leslie Van Dover, may be given wisdom about strategies for making meaningful connection with Caribbean nurses for the purpose of mutual support and fellowship in the faith of our Lord.

Thank God for the ongoing NCF ministry of the Journal Of Christian Nursing. Pray that God will continue to bless the written word as it reaches beyond the borders of the country and NCF members. Pray that the journal will be a source of encouragement to God’s family of healthcare professionals and a magnet of interest to those seeking answers to Life’s Big Questions.

Thank God for the connections made by NCF staff at the annual national convention of the Student Nurse Association in April. Pray that the students may continue to reflect on the conversations they had with God’s servants and that the decisive transformations that were experienced may lead to ongoing spiritual growth.

Join in prayer with NCF USA concerning an anticipated a court decision this Spring about the right of Christian groups like NCF to decide who can hold leadership positions in their organizations on campus. Pray for wisdom and courage for the judges in the case.

Verse of the week: Eph 4: 4-6 You were called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, on God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Thank God and pray for the ongoing ministry of the Monday prayer list via email in Canada. Pray for its leadership and thank God for the encouragement of knowing God’s care and grace as we see answers to prayer.

Pray for Christian nurses in Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago that nursing Christian fellowship groups may be started or strengthened here.

Pray for the USA regional Christian nursing workshops and conferences, that they may be venues of spiritual encouragement and challenge with long lasting spiritual growth and effective Christian witness.

Pray for the national NCF Conference in Canada June12 that it may be one of rich fellowship and inspiration for NCF work that lies ahead.

Thank God for the nurses who volunteer at NCF booths at the professional national meetings. Pray that their presence may be an inspiration and encouragement to their colleagues.

Pray for Christian nurses in their employment sites that they may be the Light of the gospel for colleagues, students, clients, and supervisors.

Verse of the week: Eph 4: 12-13 He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

Thank God for the national leadership committees in each of the NCFI member countries: Denmark, England and Wales, Finland, Norway, Scotland, and Spain. Pray for their continued spiritual growth and for wisdom in deciding directions in their national fellowships and in their vision of NCF beyond their borders.

Pray for new board members on the respective national fellowships, for nurses and students.

Pray for Christian nurses in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkmenistan, and the Ukraine, that NCF groups can be started and/or strengthened there.

Pray for wisdom about ways and means to make contact with Christian nurses in Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Cyprus, Greece, Greenland, Faeroe Islands, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. Malta, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey.

Pray for the European Regional Conference being held in Romania, 31 May- 5 June 2010. The theme is “Caring across boundaries: The challenges of nursing in a globalized world”. Pray for the planning committee and for the preparations of each participant.

Pray for God’s provision so that nurses from non-NCF member countries, especially Romania, will be able to come to the European Regional Conference.

Verse of the week: Eph 4: 15-16 We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

Pray for Christian minds and hearts for nurses facing disciplinary action as a result of expressions of faith in the workplace.

Pray for national NCF conferences that they may be seasons of personal and corporate spiritual renewal and inspiration: Scotland 23-25 April.

Pray for political leaders as they make decisions that affect the nursing profession. Pray that the decisions may be ones of wisdom that will promote a will promote a high quality of nursing care.

Pray that God will enable Christian nurses to be God’s Kingdom Salt and Light in their places of influence.

Pray for the sharing of the NCF vision with the next generation of nurses.

Pray for the planning committee of the 2011 International Student Conference on Spiritual Care to be held in the Netherlands.

Verse of the week: Eph 4: 29b, 32 - 5:1a Say only what helps, each word a gift. … Be gentle with each other, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Watch what God does, and then do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents.

Thank you for our NCFI International Board members – Chieko Fukushima (Japan), Swee Eng Goh (Singapore) and Dawn Capaque (Philippines) and for their wisdom and strength.

Thank you for our NCFI International Board members – Chieko Fukushima (Japan), Swee Eng Goh (Singapore) and Dawn Capaque (Philippines) and for their wisdom and strength.

PACEA Regional Conference: Thank the Lord for the organizing committee for this conference – “The way forward”, which will be held in Japan from 27 September to 01 October. Pray for the executing of the planning of the regional conference to be held in September 2010 in Japan. That the local organizing committee may benefit and be blessed through the process of planning and organizing for the conference.  Thank the Lord for Pastor Endo who will give the Bible exposition on the theme: “The way forward”. 

Pray for the Lord will reveal to him the right message for participants.  Pray that the conference will meet the objectives as laid down.  Pray for the nomination of 2010-2014 PACEA regional committee members who will be elected to represent their NNCF during the regional conference.  Pray for Sue Allen who will be doing a session on leadership at the regional conference that participants understand the requirements of being a leader and the workings of it as modeled by our Lord Jesus.

Indonesia (new work):  Pray for an evaluation trip on the Kalimantan community health training on May 5-8, 2010 by Alicia Banas and Goh Swee Eng.  We need insight and wisdom on how we can encourage and empower the community leaders whom we have worked with in the past several years as we wrap up the project.

Indonesia - pray for the Indonesian NCF leaders as they deliberate on the process of being a member of NCFI.

Philippines – give thanks to God for giving Rita Paren to work in your name. She follows up student groups and raises funds for nursing students, who are attending the month long leadership training, together with IVCF students.

Pray for the executive committee led by Phebe Pendon. Pray for their plans that they will have enough time to execute it since all of the officers are full time workers.

Taiwan – pray for the district fellowships and their regular meetings and that the life of nurses will be growing through Bible study.

Praise the Lord that there are 16 Christian Nurses faculties who are willing to respond to the calling—Spreading the gospel through lecturing in the workshops on Spiritual Nursing and Nursing Dilemma. We will have a special gathering for these nursing faculties on 03/12/2010 to share and polish our vision.

Korea – KNCF is busy building their leadership.  Pray for upcoming training/ conferences which they are involved in:
April 30: National Nursing Professors Conference. 
May 20: National RN Conference June 23-25 : National Student Nurses and National Nursing Professors Conference
October 8: KNCF 43TH anniversary
Dec 4 : National Leadership School

Pray for Hye Sook Lee, national staff worker who co-ordinates these activities, including their every Tuesday prayer meeting, administrative needs, prayer letters and other functions.

Hong Kong – 2010 is HKNCF's 50th anniversary. Please pray for the activities planned for this special occasion: an anniversary banquet, magazine, bible study group and workshops to celebrate their 50th year.
Pray that God will provide a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy for someone to join the HKNCF staff to take care of the nurses’ ministry. We also ask that God may give Nicam (HKNCF staff worker) wisdom to organise time in ministry and family, to set priority when facing great needs among the students.

We thank God for some new faces to join the executive Committee board. Please pray that God will give them vision and mission, as well as wisdom to lead different ministries.

Malaysia –.Pray that Christian young people will find nursing an attractive profession to enter- so that more Christian Nurse leaders can be developed in the country.

Verse of the week: Colossians 3:1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set you hears on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right hand of God.

Australia – pray for Rosemary Bulman, President of NCF Australia (NCFA) and also Fellowships in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Thank God for all the willing supporters in this large country.

Fiji – pray for the officers of Fiji NCF – Slinda Ledua (President) and Ravono (National Secretary). Pray that the Fellowship will grow and that strong Christian nurse leaders will encourage new believers in the work of nursing.

Papua New Guinea – give thanks for the work of Bing Titus and all those in the country, parts of which are still under developed.

Verse of the week: John 16: 4 ...I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you.

Thank the Lord for Chinnamma Mathew and Mabel Shivkar (India), who together with Stacy Saha (Bangladesh) serve as NCFI International Board members for this region. Pray for wisdom and discernment as they provide leadership for NCFI.

CAME Regional Committee / Conference: Thank God for the very fruitful meeting in Katmandu in February.  Praise God for contacts with key Christian Nursing Leaders in Nepal, including Rebecca Sinha.  Praise for good progress developing a plan for the CAME regional conference- venue, theme, speakers, etc.  Pray for ongoing communication with current members of the committee.

Pray for effective strategies for reaching out to nurses in other nearby countries: Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Pray for opportunities to contact and encourage Christian nurses in Nepal and involve them in the regional conference.

India - pray for Chinnamma Mathew and Sheela Walker (National co-coordinators) as they travel frequently, training and encouraging student and staff nurses. Pray for health and safety in their travels. Continue to pray for the provision of a general secretary for ENFI. Praise for more religious freedom under the new government. Pray that continuing anti- Christian elements will decrease and gospel work will go ahead smoothly.

Pray for the ENFI conference to be held November 2010 in Indore, Maharastra. Pray for those who are planning and organizing the conference as well as those who will speak and attend.

Bangladesh – Continue to pray for the new NCF Bangladesh Executive Committee elected at the October 2009 conference: Provati Chambugong, Mebel Mondol, Anne Pottkamp, Jachinta Murmu and Stacy Saha. Pray for commitment and a heart to reach out to nurses in Bangladesh. Pray that Christian Nurses will become rooted and grounded in God's Word.

Give thanks with Barbara Parfitt, for provision of necessary staff and students for the opening of the Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing in Dhaka, on March 1st, as planned.  Give her strength to cope with her new duties as Principal of this College of Nursing, as well as all her other commitments, especially those with NCFI.

Pakistan – Pray for the current Executive Committee - Give thanks to the NCF for all the work which they are undertaking to develop Christian Nurse leaders. Give thanks for Sharfraz Asif, member of the CAME Executive Committee, and the gifts he brings to that committee.  Pray for Christian workers throughout Pakistan.  Pray for the families and co-workers of the World Vision staff who were killed in an extremist attack at their office in March.

Give thanks and praise to all nurses, in other countries, within the region for all the work which they undertake, often in difficult circumstances.

Verse of the week: Hebrews 11:1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.

Give thanks for the work of the regional members of the NCFI International Board – Evang Sam Mbok (Nigeria), Martha Mwendafilumba (Zambia) and Bright Addae (Ghana).

Give thanks for the organizing team for the Regional Conference – “Reforming nursing and Midwifery care in Africa for Global Challenges” – which is being held in Ghana from 03 to 09 October. Pray that God shall strengthen, give health and zeal to everyone involved in the organization of the conference.

Ghana – we give thanks for Joana Agyeman-Yeboah, Vice President of NCF Ghana for her work whilst Bright Addae (President) is away on military training. We praise all other executive members who are assisting Joana. We thank Crystal Clottey, former NCFI International Board member, for the work she is undertaking with retired nurses.

Verse of the week: Philippians’ 3: 7-11 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ...I want to know Christ...The power of his resurrection and participation in His suffering, becoming like him in His death and so...attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Nigeria - commit the leadership of FCN, under President, Thomas Ibe and General Secretary, Peter Yidawi, into the hands of the Lord as they progress the fellowship.

We remember all those Christians who have died recently during civil unrest between Christians and Muslims, within the country, especially around Jos, where FCN is headquartered. We ask for blessings on their souls and families and pray that an early solution so that Christians and Muslims can live in peace with one another.

Cameroon - pray for the NCF Leadership in Cameroon and for God's grace to lead the fellowship to higher heights.

Niger – pray for those nurses, who have been inspired to establish a NCF, within the country, following visits by FCN Nigeria members’.

Zambia – we praise and thank you Lord for the work of Loice Chipere, General Secretary of Zambia NCF. We ask that you grant her wisdom in her ministry on behalf of ZNCF. We also give thanks for the work of the various ZNCF groups throughout this country.

Sierra Leone – praise the efforts being made with this country, still recovering from civil strife. We remember the groups of nurses meeting within the country.

We remember those African countries that are affected by diseases such as famine, HIV/Aids and Malaria. We pray for assistance to help them overcome the situations, which prevent them leading a normal life.

We give thanks for the interest shown in countries where a NCF does not exist and the desire to establish a Nurses Christian Fellowship.

Verse of the week: Matthew 5: 13-14 You are the salt of the earth but if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out… You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Thank the Lord for Stella Albarracin, Bertha Antolinez and Alicia Yanez Molina who serve as International Board members. Pray for wisdom and good health for them and their families as they provide leadership for NCFI throughout the Latin American region. Pray for the Regional Conference, originally set for November 2010. We ask for prayers of wisdom in the decisions we must make regarding the Conference.

Give thanks for the ongoing work by Grace and Eunice, former International Board members but still very active within the region and also in Argentina and Columbia. Give thanks for the planning which is being carried out for the 2012 NCFI Quadrennial Conference, which scheduled to be held in the region.

Verse of the week: Matthew 5: 16 ...let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.

ICDMA – we pray for the success of the World Congress to be held in Uruguay in July. We especially pray for the nursing seminar to be held 06-07 July, at which NCFI vice president, Tove Giske, will be taking part. We thank Eunice and Martha Fernandez who are assisting on the ground and hope that this may be an opportunity to link and share our experiences with other Latin America countries, where there is no established NCF group.

Argentina – UCEA (NCF Argentina) is a large, very special, active NCF. We give thanks for Eunice and Martha Fernández who are working with much love and dedication.

Chile–pray that the earthquake that we have experienced be an opportunity to be restored not only as a nation but also as ACEMACH (NCF Chile); we will be able to share the message of Jesus Christ with the same power and violence that shook us that night of February 27.  That the Holy Spirit will carry us further in the new Chile that is being rebuilt.

Ecuador– there is a group of Christian nurses who are meeting regularly, and who have renewed contact with NCFI-LA, after several years of interrupted communications.  Pray for Fabiola Hidalgo who is leading that group.

Peru – that the nurses from MOCEP (NCF Perú) may continue to be motivated and reorganize, and that there will be a true awakening there in Peru. For Fany Cotos who has been faithful in this effort. For the Peruvian nurses contacted by members of the Colombian NCF during an international congress 2 years ago.  Many of them are responding to correspondence, and as soon as there is specific information regarding the formal restoration of the Peru group, they will be referred to that group.

Costa Rica – pray for nurses in this country who are interested in the establishment of a NCF.