Pray for the Nations

Prayer is the foundation of all that we do.  On our own, we are nothing and can do nothing.  Prayer connects us to God’s plans and purposes.  The first step to any effective ministry to internationals must be prayer.  Find a good book on prayer, and go through it (a few recommendations are at the bottom.)  Designate a period for prayer and fasting.  Take a prayer retreat.  Whatever method you choose, spend some serious time in prayer asking God for guidance, opportunities, and a harvest.  We often like to pray through our theme verse, Acts 26:17b-18.

“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’“

  • I am sending you to them:  Pray that God, the Lord of the Harvest, would send out laborers.  Pray also about who He is sending you to.
  • to open their eyes: Pray that God would open the eyes of the internationals around you, that they would see their need of Him
  • and turn them from darkness to light: Pray that God would indeed turn the internationals around you from the darkness of their current belief system to the light of the gospel of truth
  • and from the power of Satan to God:  It is truly a spiritual battle.  Pray that God would free them from the rule and reign of Satan, and set them free to follow and serve Him.
  • so that they may receive forgiveness of sins: Pray that God would convict them of their sin and need of Him, and that they would repent and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
  • and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me: Pray that God would transform lives, sanctifying them through their new faith in Christ.  Pray that they would find a place in the body of Christ–that a new church would form around them and in their community.

Prayer for the Nations and the Nations Next Door

  • Prayercast.com.  This website is a wonderful resource with prayer videos for countries and people groups around the world.  There are prayer videos for each country in the world.  Under the religions section, there are prayer videos praying over people groups and regions that follow those religions as well as praying over cultural aspects and barriers that influence those following that faith.
  • Unreached People Groups of North America.  This is another great resource for learning about and praying over the Nations Next Door.  It focuses especially on those from people groups that have little access to the Gospel in their home countries.  Many of those people form close communities here in the US and might never hear the Gospel even here unless they are intentionally engaged.  UPG North America offers people group profiles for various people groups, both nationally and in major US metro areas.  There are also virtual prayerwalks taking you through locations in major cities where these people groups frequent.

Recommended Books on Prayer:

Resources on Prayer Walking