We meet at The Evangelical Church on the Island. Our worship meeting time is 4:30 PM on Saturdays. 

God richly blessed us each year in many ways. But God wants us to seek Him for more. Much more.   

One way we can do that is by devoting ourselves to prayer, crying out to Him for even more of His Spirit upon us, for the needs in our church, for the gospel-preaching churches in this region, and for the thousands of people around us who are living in spiritual darkness.

To help us do this we start the year with a Week of Prayer from 09 January through 15 January.

At the Start of the Prayer Week

To start our week of prayer, on Sunday, 09 January, we are calling everyone to a day of prayer and fasting, as they are able. We will have an in person prayer gathering at The Evangelcal Church building on island from 2:30-4:30 pm(We will also have a group on Zoom for those who can't make it to the building. See the prayer week schedule for the link).

During this gathering, we will seek the Lord all together in one place, and ask expectantly for spiritual gifts to guide our prayers. After the prayer gathering, we break the fast together at the Al Wahda Food court (near the Wendys).  

During the Week

During our Week of Prayer, you’re invited to join any of our Home Groups and DNA groups meeting throughout the city. The entire meeting time will be dedicated to prayer. Click here for the list of meeting times and locations, please reach out to leaders for detailed location information. 

Each day, we want to encourage everyone to focus their prayer time on specific topics. You can find the suggested topics below. 

We have put together powerful videos and teachings on prayer, quotes on prayer, suggested prayer requests, and instructions on how to pray as a resource for you.

Scriptures to Strengthen and Guide Your Prayers

Promises to Encourage Your Prayer

Psalm 86:5 ESV

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Psalm 145:18 ESV

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 

Matthew 7:7-11 ESV

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Luke 11:8 ESV

I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

Luke 18:1 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:7-8 ESV

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

John 15:7 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Scriptures to Pray

Psalm 43:3-4 ESV

3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Daniel 9:17-19

17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."

Matthew 6:9-13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Ephesians 1:16-21 ESV

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
20  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

Strategic Prayer Topics


Monday 10 January Focus

UAE and the Surrounding Region

Pray for the United Arab Emirates

  • For God to give every blessing to the leaders
  • For geopolitical peace so the gospel can spread
  • For churches to be strengthened and planted
  • For a harvest to be reaped

Pray for countries in this region

Oman                          Lebanon                       Jordan

Yemen                         Iran                              Kuwait

Saudi Arabia                Iraq                              Qatar

Pray for churches to be strengthened, believers to be bold, harvest to increase, churches to be planted, Christ to be glorified.

Pray for unbelievers in our neighborhoods and workplaces by first name, that God will -

  • Open their hearts to the gospel (Acts 16:14)
  • Give them faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • Set them free from Satan's blinding power (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
  • Take out their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)
  • Transfer them out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13)

Tuesday 11 January Focus

Needs for Grace Church in 2022

 Pray that God will grow Grace Church spiritually. That in 2022 we will -- 

  • Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
  • Read and study and learn God's word (John 8:31-32)
  • Forgive everyone who hurts us (Mark 11:25)
  • Fight every temptation (Mark 9:43)
  • Love each other sacrificially (1 John 3:14-17)
  • Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29)
  • Earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1)
  • See and feel God as our all-satisfying joy (Psalm 16:11)
  • Grow strong in faith (Acts 16:5)
  • See many, many people saved (Acts 16:5)

Pray that God will powerfully help those who have lost jobs, or are going through other trials. That God will --

  • Strengthen their faith in God's promises (Ephesians 3:16-17)
  • Comfort them (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
  • Help them trust that their suffering is part of God's loving plan (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • Bring them Christ-centered encouragement from brothers and sisters (1 Corinthians 12:26)
  • Encourage them that today's sufferings are worth heaven's glories (Romans 8:18)
  • Give them wisdom about steps to take (James 1:5)
  • Provide for all of their needs (Philippians 4:19)
  • Give them jobs (Matthew 7:7-11)
  • Use their peace and joy in suffering to display his glory (1 Peter 3:15)

Wednesday 12 January Focus

Grace Church Ministries

Pray for our Home Groups --

  • Al Rayyana – Earl and Len Palacios
  • Al Raha Gardens – Aaron and Tash Lacey
  • Al Raha Beach – Steve and Jan Fuller
  • Downtown – Rob & Margie Urry and Annemie Elis
  • Mohammed Bin Zayed City – Akin and Wunmi Akinlosotu
  • Shabiya Area – Will Yutuc
  • Zayed Sports City – Luke and Lorna Ebrahim
  • Yas Island - Bob and Karen Kubenic

Pray that our Home Groups will –

  • Be filled with love for Christ
  • Be united in the Holy Spirit
  • Be devoted to God’s Word
  • Be bold in sharing testimonies
  • Earnestly desire spiritual gifts
  • Raise up new leaders
  • Plant new home groups

Pray for our Home Group Leaders -- that they will have –

  • Zeal for God’s glory
  • Passionate love for Christ
  • Love for those in the Home Group
  • Faith during difficulties
  • Power in the Spirit
  • Wisdom in leadership
  • Deep times in the Word and prayer
  • Compassion for the lost
  • Evangelistic fruitfulness

Pray for our Task Force Teams & Leaders – 

  • Administration Team – Farzana Dsouza
  • Communications Team – Thamara Careli Rossanez
  • Events Team – Wunmi Akinlosotu
  • Finance Team – Nash Brijlal
  • IT Team – Alex Zamfir
  • Livestream Team 
  • Sound Team – Joe Conner
  • Visual Team - Debbie Megevand
  • Welcome & Usher Team – Rochelle Conner

Pray that the Task Force teams will have –

  • Heart-felt joy in Christ
  • Deep abiding in the Word and prayer
  • Wisdom in organizing their responsibilities
  • Effectiveness
  • Love for people
  • Grace to persevere

Pray for our Children’s Ministry, that God would –

  • Protect and strengthen and bless all the workers
  • Save children, filling them with love for Jesus Christ
  • Strengthen those children who are already trusting Christ
  • Work in the children’s hearts so they love to pray and read God’s Word
  • Work in the children’s hearts so they share Jesus with friends
  • Raise up the workers that are needed
  • Use this ministry to save unbelieving parents.

Pray for our Youth Ministry, that God would –

  • Protect and strengthen and bless all the Youth Leadership Team - Ben, Holly, Kyle, Nathaly, Louis, Katalina, Isidora, Phoebe, Jolyn, Geordon  
  • Save you, filling them with love for Jesus Christ
  • Strengthen those youth who are already trusting Christ
  • Work in the youth’s hearts so they love to pray and read God’s Word
  • Work in the youth’s hearts so they share Jesus with friends
  • Raise up the leaders that are needed
  • Use this ministry to save unbelieving parents.

Thursday 13 January Focus

Grace Church Leadership

Pray for our Elders

Steve Fuller, Aaron Lacey, Earl Palacios, Ben Smith, Hunter Womack (Elder Candidate), Emmanuel Abu (Elder Candidate)

Pray that the Elders will have – 

  • Wisdom from God (James 1:5), 
  • Passionate love for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
  • Fresh filling with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
  • The ability to be gentle shepherds and bold leaders (Acts 20:28)
  • Growing knowledge of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15)
  • Complete submission to God’s word (Ephesians 2:19-20)
  • Grace to be good examples to the church (1 Peter 5:3)
  • Protection from sin and Satan (1 John 5:18)
  • Effective equipping of the saints for the ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
  • Evangelistic fruitfulness (Daniel 12:3)

Pray for our Staff – 

  • Women's Director – Dawn Gurley
  • Kids Director – Asha Bylot (her husband is Eric)
  • Church Planting Residents – Hunter & Alicia Womack 
  • Ministry Residents – Jack & Hailee Cain 

Pray that the Staff will have – 

  • Wisdom from God (James 1:5), 
  • Passionate love for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
  • Fresh filling with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
  • Growing knowledge of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15)
  • Complete submission to God’s word (Ephesians 2:19-20)
  • Grace to be good examples to the church (1 Peter 5:3)
  • Protection from sin and Satan (1 John 5:18)
  • Evangelistic fruitfulness (Daniel 12:3)

Pray for those raising support to join us – 

  • Family Pastor – Josh Wall (his wife is Millie)
  • Church Planting Residents – Joe & Mary Berg
  • Pastoral Resident – Danny Caldwell (his wife is Rachel)

Pray that they will have – 

  • Wisdom from God (James 1:5), 
  • Deep trust in God's goodness and timing
  • Provision for all their needs

Friday 14 January Focus

Other ministries in the UAE

Pray for Nomads Ministry, led by Haroon and Asif, which shares the gospel and makes disciples in labor camps in the UAE.

Pray for Youth For Christ, led by Geordon and Marilyn, which helps support youth ministries at various churches in the UAE.

Pray for an Arabic-Speaking Church Plant for Arabic-speaking expats living in Abu Dhabi.

Pray for a Hindi/Urdu-Speaking Church Plant for Hindi/Urdu-speaking expats living in Abu Dhabi. 

Pray for Julie Christianson, who is working in a nearby country to spread the good news.

Pray for some of the Bible-preaching churches in this area -- 

  • New Life Church, which is led by Gareth Franks (his wife is Keri)
  • ECC (the Evangelical Community Church), which is led by Aubrey Sequeira (his wife is Nishika)
  • Cornerstone Church, which is led by Matt Jones (his wife is Rana)
  • Every Nation Church, which is led by Rey Corpuz (his wife is Menchie)
  • Redeemer Church Al Ain, which is led by John Norris (his wife is Carolione) and Luke Humprey (his wife is Laura)
  • Redeemer Church Dubai, which is led by Dave Furman (his wife is Gloria)
  • Redeemer Church Kuwait, which is being planted by Blaine Boyd (his wife is Kelly)
  • The United Christian Church of Dubai, which is led by John Folmar (his wife is Keri)
  • The Crossroads (Tagalog) Church of Dubai, which is led by Alvin Litonjua (his wife is Diane)
  • The Covenant Hope Church of Dubai, which is led by Brian Parks (his wife is Joanne)
  • Immanuel Church of Fujairah, which is led by Jesse Brannen (his wife is Delaine)
  • Ras al Kaimah Evangelical Church which is led by Josh Manley (his wife is Jenny)
  • The Ruwais church plant, which is led by Wylie Jenkins (his wife is Georgie)
  • The Arabic Evangelical Church, which is led by Butroos (his wife is Loeis)

Saturday 15 January Focus

Desires for Grace Church in 2022

 Pray for our Saturday worship gatherings, that God will –

  • Pour out his Spirit upon our worship
  • Touch each heart with his love and glory in Christ
  • Empower his Word as it is preached
  • Convict the wandering of their sin
  • Encourage the discouraged
  • Save the lost
  • Strengthen the tempted
  • Awaken the complacent
  • Heal the sick
  • Pour out spiritual gifts
  • Glorify Christ

Pray for the needs of Grace Church. That in 2022 God will -

  • Raise up more home group leaders
  • Plant more home groups
  • Raise up more elders
  • Raise up church planters
  • Provide the financial resources we need

Recommended Ways to Pray 


How to Pray by Yourself

  1. Understand that we usually pray to God the Father (Matthew 6:6; Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13), by the power of the Spirit (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), in the name of Jesus (John 15:16; John 16:23).
  2. A helpful outline to use is the acronym A-C-T-S. A for Adoration; C for Confession; T for Thanksgiving; S for Supplication (asking).
  3. Don’t wait to pray until you feel close to God. Pray whenever you can, and admit to God if your heart is far from him, or distracted, and ask for his help. He promises that when you draw near to him, he will draw near to you (James 4:8).
  4. There’s nothing wrong with praying more than once for the same request. This does not show unbelief, it shows earnestness. Jesus calls us to persist in prayer (Luke 11:8; Luke 18:7; 2 Corinthians 12:8).
  5. Try different postures as you pray, like standing or kneeling or bowing. Try walking, lifting your hands to God, and praying out loud.
  6. If you find your thoughts wandering, don’t be discouraged. Confess it, ask for God’s help, and keep praying.
  7. Pray prayers that are BIG with declarations of who God is, like in 2 Chronicles 20:6. That will glorify him, and strengthen your faith.
  8. Don’t pray in generalities, like asking God to bless someone. Get more specific.
  9. It’s helpful to pray Scripture by reading relevant verses and turning them into prayers. For example, you can use Psalm 145 to help you worship God, Psalm 51 to help you confess your sin, Psalm 13 to cry out for more of God’s presence in your heart, Romans 12 to pray for your own or other’s spiritual growth.
  10. Focus most of your prayer on people’s salvation, faith, and spiritual growth. Do also pray for earthly circumstances, but prioritize spiritual issues
  11. Pray BIG prayers – for God’s glory to fill the earth, for unreached peoples to be saved, for revival to come upon countries, for leaders to be guided and saved, for churches to be planted, cities to be filled with the gospel.

How to Pray in a Group

  1. Don’t worry about having your prayers sound good: simple, straightforward prayers are best.
  2. Ask for, and expect, the Holy Spirit to give you thoughts about what to pray for, and how to pray.
  3. Pray short prayers, to give others an opportunity to pray.
  4. Pray for one request at a time, so others have a chance to join in.
  5. Feel free to pray more than once, and to pray again for something someone else has already prayed about.
  6. Pray loud enough, and slow enough, so we can understand each other with our different accents and language backgrounds.
  7. If you have prayed a few times, give a bit more time for others to jump in before you pray again.