You are receiving this newsletter because you have expressed an interest in P.R.A.Y. and the religious emblems programs available to youth. P.R.A.Y. handles the Protestant Christian program but also provides interfaith resources to support clergy and lay leaders as well as partner agency professionals and volunteers.
P.R.A.Y. ANNOUNCEMENT - April 2020

Reminder about Eligibility Requirement change and introduction of new resources
PRAY EXTENDS ELIGIBILITY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
EXTENSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2020
As we all learn to cope with this age of social distancing, and recognizing that church and regular meetings have been suspended, P.R.A.Y. adopted the following policy on March 17 to ensure that young people do not miss the opportunity to earn their P.R.A.Y. emblem while maintaining eligibility for the Four-Star Award:

At the request of clergy and counselors, a special eligibility extension is in effect until December 31, 2020. This means that students who are eligible for a program based on their current grade level in March 2020, will still be eligible to earn that award until the end of this calendar year, December 31, 2020. Instead of aging out of a program in the fall when starting a new grade at school, the P.R.A.Y. extension will allow young people to complete their requirements until December 31, 2020.

P.R.A.Y. is open and shipping on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through at least May 15. While we are not able to always answer the phone, we will do our best to return your calls in a timely fashion. Please let us know if we can serve immediately via email, info@praypub.org .

We also know that with time at home for self-quarantines, trying to maintain health, there is a good chance you will be battling cabin fever. Below you will find information and new resources from P.R.A.Y. to engage Scouts and families in faith formation. I hope you will find them useful in your own ministry.

Jason Noland, P.R.A.Y. CEO
Programs of Religious Activities With Youth, have developed additional resources for families and youth to support completion of religious emblems at home and foster their faith formation during this time of social distancing. In all of our partner organizations, religious emblems meet the requirements for Faith Awards in American Heritage Girls, Duty to God Adventure and Scout Spirit requirements in Boy Scouts of America, and My Promise My Faith requirements for Girl Scouts of the USA.


While we may like the convenience of a church or scouting class that provides a set schedule and instruction, the P.R.A.Y. awards are perfect to be done at home with the family. During this unsettling time, it may be an unexpected opportunity for parents to share their faith with their children and grow in faith together. Reading and discussing Scripture to complete requirements will create natural space for spontaneous dialogue and ways to connect with your children. Make your family’s faith journey a priority!

To that end P.R.A.Y. has released a series of videos on the P.R.A.Y. YouTube Channel to assist parents who may wish to serve as counselors and help guide their children to completion of their religious emblem. Each workbook lesson is highlighted, explained in depth with hints and helps for those who might be serving in the counselor role for the first time.

30-Day Challenges

In addition to the video series on YouTube, we are pleased to introduce 30-Day Challenges for every P.R.A.Y. Program level. When completed according to the prescribed schedule, with the help from a parent or counselor at home, youth can complete the requirements and share with their family the work toward achievement of their religious emblem. Visit each program's challenge below.


Bible Basics/RP3
Are you looking for additional programs? Ones that might serve as daily devotionals and engage the entire family? Visit P.R.A.Y.'s web page and download the free Bible Basics/RP3 curriculum.

The Bible is basic to the Christian life, which is why the Bible is the emphasis of this new patch series. We're encouraging you to not only Read the Bible, but also to take the time to Picture the passage, Ponder its meaning, and Put it into action. That’s what "RP3" is all about. Families and groups taking part in the program will get to enjoy reading the Bible together, and become familiar with the RP3 outline and be equipped with a simple tool for personal Bible reading and study at the same time.


Use this chart to choose the program that will best meet the needs of your children.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 KJV
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P.R.A.Y.
Building Faith in Youth
www.praypub.org