Back in the 1980s when I was in elementary school, my parents used to read missionary biographies to me.
The stories ranged from young American men willing to die for their faith in tribal areas in Ecuador, to a small British woman living in China in the 1930s and adopting orphans, to a Dutch man smuggling Bibles into the Soviet Union.
I was so inspired by the courage of these men and women share about Jesus in difficult places. I remember wanting to be part of what missionaries were doing around the world but feeling unsure of what to do at such a young age.
It was at that time that my parents started to encourage me to pray: to pray both for the missionaries themselves and for God to move powerfully in specific countries. The two places I always prayed for back then were China and the Soviet Union—two of the hardest places to share the gospel.
Now looking back, who could have imagined the open doors for the gospel after the fall of the Soviet Union?
And who could have predicted that today there would be millions of Christians following God in China?
Only God could work in such amazing ways. I believe that the prayers of hundreds of thousands of believers over many decades ushered God’s power to these two places.
Learning to pray for the world
Perhaps it is your morning prayer time, or you have gathered on campus with friends. You want to pray for the world and for global missions, but you feel kind of stuck. You take a deep breath. You have your Bible open for Scriptural inspiration. Now what?
You wonder:
What should I pray for?
What are the needs around the world?
Can my prayers truly make a difference?
As I have sought to pray for the world and for the advance of missions around our globe, there are three key components that have helped focus and centre my prayers.
1. Pray specifically
It's easy to be unaware of what is happening around the world in missions, so that you only pray in generalities. But there are excellent ways learn some specifics.
Operation World allows you to understand the political, economic and spiritual backdrop of every country. They also compile prayer requests from churches and mission organizations that allow you to pray very specifically for both the advancement of the gospel and the growth of the church in that nation.
Joshua Project has resources to help you pray for areas of the world that are truly untouched by the message of Christ.
Additionally, you can pray specifically for various groups during certain times of the year. For example, you could tap into a 30-day prayer guide to pray specifically during religious festivals.
2. Pray relationally
Through your church or P2C-Students, find someone who is going on a mission trip, interning internationally, or serving long-term in missions. Ask them to add you to their prayer updates.
Getting personal updates allows you to personalize your prayers for the world because you know (or can get to know) someone who is ministering overseas.
3. Pray with others
Invite others to join you in praying for the world. Mobilizing others will create momentum, accountability, and excitement for prayer and for what God is doing around the world.
It will also shape your hearts to be more ready for whatever God might call you or your friends too. Who knows where your prayers will take you?