Monthly Prayer Focus

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, who have financially and spiritually given their time and resources so that we can get trained. … When we go to the field in ministry in the days to come, we will know that we are not alone—someone’s prayer is along with us.” —Zibiah, newly trained Sister of the Cross

Sisters of the Cross are women missionaries who have been specially trained in leprosy care, family counseling, hygiene education and other practical ministries. These sisters don the traditional garb of the humblest of servants as they interact with their communities in Africa and Asia. As a result, they are welcomed as caregivers, counselors, teachers and friends.

Serving as the hands and feet of Christ, these women work among the least of society—people such as orphans, widows and residents in the slums—serving children rescued from the streets, teaching literacy, offering prayer and sharing the hope of Christ. This month, would you join us in supporting these sisters in prayer?

“Please pray for me, that I will be able to do my ministry with love and I will be able to share the love of Christ among those who are in need.” —Mila, newly trained Sister of the Cross

As Sisters of the Cross minister among those who are downtrodden, neglected and forgotten, they need Christ’s heart—a heart that can see others for who they truly are and serve them with a supernatural love. Whether they’re treating wounds, trimming nails or teaching hygiene, these sisters seek to be vessels through which Christ’s love can flow.

Pray that these Sisters of the Cross will be so full of Christ’s love that it is tangible to everyone they meet. Pray they will be the hands and feet of Christ for the suffering and forgotten and that as they serve, people will encounter the living Jesus. Pray each sister will have the courage to serve, even in difficult situations, and that Christ’s love will overcome the brokenness they encounter.

Like anyone, Sisters of the Cross can face personal health challenges, and they often work in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation where diseases spread rapidly. In addition, sisters need everyday protection as they travel the streets and roads of their communities.

Please ask the Lord to protect these sisters. Pray that they will remain healthy, even in unhygienic situations, so that they can continue serving Him with full strength. Ask Him to heal those who are suffering from various health struggles and encourage their hearts. And pray that as they travel in their communities and visit those in need, God will keep them safe from accidents and harm.

Sisters of the Cross usually live and minister in teams of two or more, working together to serve their communities. Two are better than one, and yet team dynamics can also come with unique challenges and opportunities to grow.

Please pray that God will knit the hearts of these sisters together, giving them a strong foundation of love and unity as they serve their communities. Pray that they will “increase and abound in love to one another and to all” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Pray for times of laughter and fellowship as they support one another in the work God has called them to. Pray that each member of the team will thrive as she uses the skills and gifts God has given her and depends on the skills and gifts of her team members for areas where she is weaker.

“Pray that I will spiritually grow in the Lord every moment as I seek to serve Him.” —Zibiah, newly trained Sister of the Cross

Even as Sisters of the Cross seek to serve others, they are also on their own spiritual journeys with Christ. Many of these sisters are young, and their time serving as Sisters of the Cross will be foundational in their walks with the Lord. Each woman, no matter how young or old, has areas in her life that she needs the Lord to speak into.

Please ask God to make each sister “complete in every good work to do His will” and work in them “what is well pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:21). Pray that these women will be able to learn everything the Lord has to teach them as they serve as Sisters of the Cross. And pray that they will know Christ in new ways as they join Him in the work of ministering to the least of these (see Matthew 25:40).

Whether they’re treating a particularly dangerous wound, seeking to love a child with behavioral issues or helping a woman learn to read, Sisters of the Cross need great wisdom from the Lord to effectively minister. In addition, each community in which they serve has its own unique needs and struggles, and sisters need creativity for how best to serve in these specific contexts.

Please pray that each sister will feel the Lord’s presence with her as she seeks to love the people in her community. Pray that sisters will rely on the Lord, not their own strength or wisdom, as they encounter needs and seek to help the suffering. Pray He will give them wisdom for difficult situations and creativity for context-specific ways to serve their communities. And pray that as the sisters rely on Him, He will do far beyond anything they could ask or imagine in the communities where they serve.

In 2024, 525 sisters graduated from Sisters of the Cross training. Each year, new groups of sisters receive this specialized training so they, too, can take their places as servants in their communities. As these women join the Sisters of the Cross, receive training and go out to communities in need, they need our prayers!

Pray God will lead each new graduate to the community where she needs to serve. Pray for sisters who are currently in training, that they will be able to soak up all they are learning and that God will prepare them physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally to serve those in need. And pray that the Lord will raise up more women to serve as Sisters of the Cross—ask Him to give these women clarity and courage and make His calling clear.

  Print these prayer requests out for your convenience.