P.R.A.Y.

05/05/2026

The GSUSA Interfaith Committee and PRAY need your help.

During the Girl Scouts UNITE, National Girl Scout Convention, there will be an interfaith service on Thursday, July 23rd from 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm.

We are seeking attendees across faith traditions to participate and lead parts of the service. An organizational meeting will be held on Friday, May 8th from 6 pm - 7 pm CDT.

If you are interested please connect with us through a short participation survey to identify faith traditions and content.

https://forms.gle/LCYm7Bi2XDnMMAxe7

04/12/2026

Today our friends who follow the traditions of the Orthodox Christian faiths will celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. It is the most important holiday in the Orthodox calendar.

In Orthodox churches, Easter occurs after Passover and the first full moon of spring.

Christos anesti!

04/05/2026

Today is the holiest day in the Christian calendar. It marks the celebration of the promise of eternal life.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

- John 3:16

04/03/2026

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
- 1 Peter 2:24

Please note that in observance of Good Friday, the P.R.A.Y. office will be closed on April 3rd. Shipping will resume on April 6th.

03/31/2026

Holy Week Blessings to all!

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."

- Isaiah 40:31

03/24/2026

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Mark Hazlewood, who passed away on March 22nd.

Mark served with distinction as the CEO for P.R.A.Y. For 33 years and was a friend to many of you. In this role he oversaw the Protestant Religious Emblems series and worked with the youth offices of national church denominations and the religious relationships committees of national scouting organizations. He enjoyed teaching at the Philmont Scout Ranch Training Center and cherished the lifelong relationships this role afforded him.

Please keep the Hazlewood family in your prayers during this difficult time.

For more information please visit:

Mark Philip Hazlewood of St. Louis, MO, passed away on March 22, 2026 at the age of 72, surrounded by his loving family. Mark loved music. This was evident in his education (Mark received his Bachelor of Music from Culver-Stockton College and his Master of Arts from Northeast Missouri State…

02/05/2026

With the coming anniversary month events and presentations for both youth and adult recognitions, PRAY is your source for helps, suggested services, and presentation scripts.

The recognition received is a way for them to witness to their faith and share what they have learned. The congregation has a role in affirming and encouraging all in their faith journeys and welcoming and interacting with their families.

Don't forget to recognize recipients at the unit level as well. Often times that celebration helps to make others aware that their faith can be recognized and connected to their experience too.

https://www.praypub.org/celebrating

01/09/2026

P.R.A.Y. VACATION NOTICE

During the week of January 12th -16th P.R.A.Y. will be closed so that staff may take advantage of earned personal time off and celebrate a few milestones.

We recognize that this may be inconvenient, but the timing will not impact orders intended for Scouting America’s Scout Sunday celebrations in February. Shipping will resume January 19th when the office reopens. In most cases, and when cost-respectful, shipping occurs through UPS which guarantees a reliable 3-5 business day delivery schedule. Media (booklets) and other first-class mail will still be delivered via the US Postal Service, unless otherwise directed as Priority or Expedited in the order process. Orders that are indicated as Priority or Expedited will receive the same shipping class when P.R.A.Y resumes operations on January 19th.

In the meantime, P.R.A.Y. is always open at praypub.org where program, teaching, and student resources are available. For registration, curriculum, booklets, and recognition please visit our webstore, store.praypub.org.

If you have ordered booklets and need them to start lessons immediately, please visit https://store.praypub.org/protestant-program-booklets where the first lesson is available for the Student, Counselor/Teacher, and Mentor booklets. These can be found by opening the direct link and description for each booklet in the program levels.

Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and shared ministry. P.R.A.Y. is grateful for you!

www.praypub.org/Data/Sites/1/media/meet-pray/vacation-announcement-january-2026.pdf

01/07/2026

The Council Duty to God Award (Scouting America) was created to recognize those registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of Scouting America. Nominations are due by January 31st to your Council's Scout Executive.

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Scouting-Americas-Council-Duty-to-God-Nomination.pdf

01/02/2026

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Jeremiah 29:11

May you embrace 2026 as a new creation in Christ, leaving behind the old and walking boldly into the beautiful future He has prepared for you