Prayer Pods




Discover the heart and vision behind New Hope's initiative by watching our introductory video!

Key Definitions

  • Prayer – Engaging in an honest and meaningful conversation with God about the things that matter to both you and Him.
  • Pods – Small, collective groups composed of two or more individuals.

When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus demonstrated a communal approach, guiding them on how to pray collectively as a group. He used the expressions “Our Father,” “Give us,” “Forgive us,” and “Lead us” (see Matthew 6:9–13). Through these words, Jesus clearly illustrates that prayer is intended to be a communal and shared practice.

Although establishing a personal prayer life is foundational to growing and deepening a personal relationship with God, the contemporary emphasis on individual prayer can sometimes overshadow the importance of praying together in groups. Yet, communal prayer remains vital, just as Jesus taught His disciples to pray.

At New Hope Community Church, we are a family of faith committed to walking with Jesus together. Our core vision is, “Growing together toward maturity in Christ.” As we strive to become more like Him, we recognize the vital role of lifting each other up, offering encouragement, and praying for one another.

We also recognize that there are numerous local and global needs demanding our intercession. While we lack the ability to transform the world ourselves, we place our trust in the One who can, declaring, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” 

We invite you to join a prayer pod and commit to praying together regularly as a way to enrich our collective prayer life. A prayer pod can take many forms: it might be just you and one other individual, or it could include your family members, close friends, colleagues, neighbors, or even individuals you wish to connect with more deeply. Best of all, you are welcome to participate in more than one prayer pod!

Following the establishment of the prayer pods, we plan to distribute weekly prayer prompts to guide each group in collective intercession for both local and international needs. Additionally, we want to encourage you in bringing any personal or localized requests from your pod before the Lord.

You form the prayer pods! Start by asking God to reveal who should join your pod, and then reach out to invite them. While these prayer pods can launch at any time, our goal is to have everyone connected in a pod by the Global Week of Prayer, taking place from September 6-13.

We look forward to how God will be growing our faith through our prayer pods as we grow together toward maturity in Christ!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20)

CLICK HERE to link your prayer pod directly with church leadership for updates, support, and communication!

This week's prayer prompts

Global Focus

  • Celebration of Medical Innovation (Good News): We praise God for the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to scientists Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for pioneering optogenetics. We celebrate this incredible tool that lets researchers map individual brain cells with light, offering hope for treating Alzheimer’s and PTSD. 
  • Pioneering Gene Therapies (Good News): We celebrate the innovators who shared the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for successfully advancing gene replacement therapies. We give thanks for the children who have had their vision restored, and we pray for continued progress in curing rare genetic diseases. 
  • Responsible Technology and AI Guardrails: We pray for global tech leaders and regulatory bodies as artificial intelligence advances at an unprecedented pace. Grant them divine wisdom, ethical conviction, and a unified spirit to implement strict safety guardrails that protect human life and prioritize the global public good. 
  • International Peace and Diplomacy: We lift up the complex geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and surrounding global areas. We pray against escalation and ask that God guide diplomats and world leaders toward meaningful, peaceful negotiations that prevent the loss of innocent life. 


National Focus (USA)

  • Safe Return of Space Pioneers (Good News): We give thanks for the safe return of the NASA Crew-12 mission astronauts who successfully completed their eight-month assignment aboard the International Space Station. We celebrate their safety and the continued expansion of human scientific discovery. 
  • Unity and Peace Ahead of Midterms: As the United States prepares for the upcoming November midterm elections, we pray against political hostility, division, and lawlessness. We ask for peace at the polls, clarity for voters, and a spirit of collaboration among newly elected leaders. 
  • Economic Relief and Stability: We intercede for American families who are heavily burdened by high living costs, rising fuel prices, and economic strain. We pray for effective economic solutions that lower inflation, preserve jobs, and ease the financial pressure on regular households. 
  • Protection and Healing of the Land: Echoing 2 Chronicles 7:14, we humble ourselves and pray for our nation’s spiritual and moral healing. We ask for a resurgence of righteousness, justice, and mutual respect among all communities, across every state. 


Regional Focus (New York State)

  • Affordable Care Expansion (Good News): We give thanks for New York’s 2026 State of the State initiatives prioritizing universal childcare, expanding Pre-K access, and working to lower utility and auto insurance costs for families. We pray for the seamless implementation of these affordability programs.
  • Public Health and Measles Containment: We pray for health officials and families across the state following the Governor’s measles emergency declaration triggered by a spike in rural areas. We ask for a swift end to the outbreak, wisdom for healthcare workers, and effective distribution of preventative care.
  • Food Security for Vulnerable Families: We lift up families rushing to navigate the October 14 Summer EBT spending deadline and the reset of the SNAP work requirements. We pray that no child or family falls through the cracks of these bureaucratic shifts and that local food systems remain well-supported. 


Local Focus (St. Lawrence County)

  • Joyful Community Fellowship (Good News): We thank God for upcoming local cultural events. We pray for safety, beautiful autumn weather, and refreshed spirits as community members gather together to celebrate the season.
  • Wisdom in Local Economic Development: We pray for local officials in Massena and county planners as they evaluate the massive 635-megawatt data center proposed near the St. Lawrence River. Give them exceptional discernment to balance potential economic benefits against environmental and electrical grid impacts on local residents.
  • Safety, Justice, and Healing from Violence: Following recent local trauma, including the shooting in Fowler and the vehicular assault in Ogdensburg, we pray for the physical recovery of the victims. We ask for peace within families, protection over children impacted by these events, and justice and rehabilitation within our local legal system. 

Pray Big, Pray Bold: Breaking Strongholds Through Kingdom Justice ~ Prayer Prompts by Laurell Brault

Note: As we’re praying about the various causes/needs we should also focus on the Kingdom opposite (e.g. sufficiency versus lack). That was something that I remembered from our session with Dave and Jean Coles about breaking strongholds. 

Poverty and food insecurity (Isaiah 1:17; Deuteronomy 24:19; Proverbs 31:8-9; James 1:27; 1 John 3:17) 

-Pray for the identification and distribution of resources to meet the growing needs of people forced to choose between meeting basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter due to higher costs and stagnant wages. 

-Pray for workers at non-profit and social services organizations that may be feeling overwhelmed by the number of people seeking support as a result of the cuts in SNAP benefits and access to health care. 

-Pray for elected officials that they would demonstrate wisdom, insight, and understanding as they decide on the distribution of funds to local and state agencies. 

Health Care (Proverbs 31:8-9) 

-Pray for an increase in the number of health care professionals and staff members willing to serve in rural communities. 

-Approximately 20% of SLC residents are over 65 years old and there’s a growing demand for long-term care. Pray specifically for nursing homes as the number of seniors requiring specialized care continues to grow. Pray for competent and compassionate workers who will treat the residents with kindness and respect. 

-Pray for families that are facing difficult decisions about the best way to care for aging parents. 

-Pray for government policies at every level that would expand access to affordable health care for all residents. 

Cross-cultural Connections (Psalm 139:13-14; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 3:28; Romans 2:11)
-Pray for more opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships and strengthen existing connections between permanent and temporary residents. 

-Pray that New Hope would be a diverse church that welcomes all nationalities and ethnicities and embrace opportunities to celebrate different cultures (perhaps making time for occasional five-minute overviews from international students about their country?). That we would allow God’s love to flow through us as we learn to ‘listen well’ and trust the experiences shared by people from underrepresented communities. 

Good Governance and Administration of Justice (Isaiah 10:1-2; Daniel 6:3-4; Psalm 89:14; Matthew 23:23; Micah 6:8) 

-Righteousness and justice are the foundations of God’s throne. Pray that we would have leaders who respect the U. S. Constitution and the judicial process without showing partiality based on wealth or status. 

-Pray for leaders with moral courage, clarity, wisdom, compassion, competence, and understanding at every level of government. 

-Pray for greater fairness and equality in the way abuses suffered by marginalized communities are covered in the media. 

-Pray that, regardless of the position we may hold in society or within our own families, we would use our God-given gifts, talents, and abilities to glorify God.