“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” John 13:34 NIV

As Pastor Sol told us recently, the phrase "one another" appears 100 times in the NT, primarily in the context of commands instructing believers on how to interact with each other. Approximately 59 of these occurrences are specific commands focusing on positive relationships and actions within the Christian community. 

John 13:34 is the most well-known of those 59 occurrences’, and for good reason. As the next verse explains, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I would have thought miracles would let people know we are disciples. Or perhaps learning the Bible would cause people to identify us as followers of Jesus. Or maybe, if my former denomination was asked, speaking in tongues would be the key.

But no.

It’s not supernatural signs and wonders; it’s not being able to explain the Scriptures; and it’s not using your prayer language that impresses outsiders that we are His children.

It’s the way we love each other.

I’ve been privileged to witness this in many different countries. There’s something about it, almost magical, when we interact with people who love Jesus like we do, that His love overflows in us to these Christ-followers of the Nations, and even with our differences in language, cultures, and diets, in almost no time we’re sharing with each other like “brothers from a different mother”. It’s beautiful to see, this proof that we are His disciples.

Pray:

Father, help us to love people of all nations as You have loved them. In Your Name, Amen

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT

I had been a pastor for more than 30 years the first time I heard a man of God explain this verse. He said that we confess our sins to God to be forgiven; but we confess those sins to other believers in order to be healed.

I was a pastor, but prior to his teaching, I wasn’t whole. I walked around with a lot of guilt and shortcomings that kept me in shame and misery. But when I confessed, I found freedom and healing.

There’s something about humbling ourselves before others and removing our sin from the darkness of secrecy and exposing it to the light of God that robs those sins of their power to defeat us. I still don’t fully understand it, but I know it’s real. Remember, in the beginning He said, “light is good” and I believe it still is.

What do you need to confess to another today? Would you ask them to pray for you? Believe it or not, it brings healing, not embarrassment. And that prayer has great power and produces wonderful results!

Pray:

Father, I pray that you would help us to quit hiding our sins and faults. Help us to swallow our pride and stop worrying about what others would think of us if they only knew…and simply obey your Word – to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed. Thank you, Jesus for expelling the darkness of sin and giving us light and life, now and evermore. In Your Name, Amen

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Heb 10:24-25 ESV

I was thankful we had online services during COVID, it helped, but it was still somewhat isolating. We’re told “not give up meeting together,” because the Christian life was meant to be lived in community. Together we can hold each other accountable to live out what we say we believe. We can encourage each other to do good works and live in an active pursuit of God.

Someone once said, “You can impress people at a distance; you can only impact them up close.” The closer the personal relationship, the greater the potential for impact. The purpose of encouraging one another is not so everyone feels better, but so we all grow in Christ. To "encourage" means to give support, to inspire courage, hope, or confidence. It’s basically giving someone the push they need to achieve something.

How are you encouraging others? Does the way you talk and live encourage others to be all that they can be for Jesus. Keep in mind you can’t help others move forward with Jesus if you’re not making steady progress yourself. You don’t have to grow by leaps and bounds, just by one small step at a time. So be encouraged. David encouraged himself in the Lord and you can too. Then you can encourage someone else, not just to cope with what life is throwing at them, but to look beyond this life to what’s ahead.

Pray:

Father, keep my eyes and heart open today, so I can recognize someone who is in need of a little push. Help me to be an encouragement, to give courage to someone today. In Your Name, Amen.

“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Rom 12:16 NLT

Have you ever heard an a cappella singing group? It’s not really my style of music, but I appreciate the perfect pitch such groups have. Without the musical accompaniment you can hear the harmonies perfectly.

Living in harmony with one another means existing together respectfully, without discord. It involves understanding, acceptance, cooperation, valuing and appreciating each other's differences. In a word, unity. Harmony is achieved when we pursue Christ together, unified in our love for Him and our desire to glorify God.

Unity doesn’t mean that we’ll agree on everything. That would be like singing in unison. There will be times when we’ll need to bear with one another for the sake of harmony because we’re all imperfect people. Some people get on our nerves. You can probably think of a couple right now, I know I can. That means living in harmony with EVERYONE is not always going to be easy. But we must find a way.

The question is how? It’s simple, but not easy. Harmony is developed by acceptance, living to serve and edify others, instead of trying to please self. So, practice compassion and empathy with others. Actively listen to others, acknowledge your differences, and work to find common ground. Be willing to compromise and agree to disagree. I know compromise has a negative connotation. But I’m not talking about compromising your convictions or principles. I’m talking about making small compromises throughout the day that can bring about harmony with one another. And that means in your families too.

Pray:

Father, most of my prayers are for you to change other people. But today I’m asking you to change me. Help me to focus on serving and building up others. Help me to live in harmony with others today. In Your Name, Amen.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” Eph 4:1-2 ESV

I’m probably dating myself, but do you remember “PBPWMGIFWMY” that was popular back in the 70-s? If you don’t, it’s an acronym for “Please Be Patient With Me God Isn’t Finished With Me Yet.” I often rush through the day in order to get everything done, all the while hoping that no one will interrupt me and add one more thing for me to do. Can you relate? If you tend to rush around too, wouldn’t it be great if people carried signs that alerted us that they’re a new parent or had just suffered a loss? If we knew what others were going through, we’d probably slow down and be more patient with them. But people don’t wear signs, do they? So, when we feel rushed, we will have to keep in mind how Jesus treated people. Jesus was never in a hurry. He took time to love, comfort and meet the needs of those He encountered. Being a disciple means being like Jesus.

We are called to “live a life worthy of the calling” we’ve received. And we do that by being humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. We may not be fully aware of the challenges people are facing, but we can intentionally be patient with one another. We can be an expression of Christ’s love regardless of how busy our day or how rushed we feel.

Pray:

Father, please help me to be more loving and patient with those you place in my path. Make me aware when I’m being impatient with others, and show me who I can be a blessing to today. In Your Name, Amen.

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Gal 5:13 NLT

One of the things I love about summer is wearing flip-flops. Really. They’re easy to slip on and are cool and comfortable in the heat. But there’s a downside, like how clean feet are after a long day of wearing flip-flops. Not too clean, right? When you don’t have shoes or socks on to keep the dirt off, your feet will be dirty by the end of the day.

In Jesus’ time they didn’t have shoes and socks, and most roads were dirt roads with horses walking on them, doing what animals do. Add a little rain, and you can imagine the result. It became the tradition when you were invited into someone’s home that one of their servants would wash your dirty feet. Washing feet was a dirty job, one of the dirtiest jobs a servant would need to do. But it wasn’t too dirty for Jesus. He demonstrated His love and service to His disciples the night of His betrayal by washing their feet, knowing they were about to betray, deny, and abandon Him. If Jesus was willing to wash His disciple’s feet, we need to be willing to serve in the same way.

I used to watch a show called “Dirtiest Jobs” and wondered how anyone could do such jobs. I don’t think that this “freed-to-serve” lifestyle will include things like being a sewer inspector. But it could include things that seem mundane, tedious, menial, and thankless. Even though others may not notice, God does, and He will reward you here and in eternity, even if it’s just picking up a piece of trash in the parking lot. Let’s serve one another.

Pray:

Father, fill my heart with your love, and open my eyes to how I can serve and bless others. Help me to adopt a “freed-to-serve” lifestyle until I see you face to face. In Your Name, Amen.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:13 NIV

I have a reputation for tripping on steps, going up and down them. I’ve earned it, because I’ve had quite a few broken bones, sprains, and bruises as a result of tripping. That’s why I remember this story of a woman sitting in the bleachers watching her son’s game. She noticed that four out of five people tripped on the step right in front of her. Curious, at halftime, she measured and discovered that the step was about a quarter inch higher than the others, and that’s what caused the tripping. Forgiveness is like that step. It’s just a little bit higher, just a bit harder than most things we practice as disciples. It’s one step many of us trip on.

Maybe we trip on it because the person didn’t ask for forgiveness, or because they haven’t changed, and we don’t feel like they deserve our forgiveness. But what helps me to forgive is the last part of that verse. “As the Lord forgave you.” Allow that to sink in for just a moment. When you keep in mind how God fully forgave you for everything you’ve ever done wrong, even when you didn’t deserve it, it will make it easier for you to forgive others.

I know that sometimes it’s hard. But when Jesus taught His disciples to forgive, He gave no exceptions, no loopholes that lets us off the hook. And forgiveness must be extended to our spouses, children, and bosses as well. The step of forgiveness may be a bit higher than some of the other steps on your faith journey, but you can do it. Forgive one another.

Pray:

Father, I’ll admit I’ve tripped on the step of forgiveness. Help me to pick up my spiritual feet just a little higher to forgive others quickly and completely. In Your Name, Amen.

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:18 ESV

What’s your identity? You may think that your identity comes from who you hang around with, the music you listen to, where you live, your ethnicity, gender, or career. All of which are true to some degree. But your truest identity is going to be who you are in Christ because that identity is eternal. The Bible describes your identity as being a disciple, heir of God, a new creation, more than a conqueror, chosen, and beloved of God. All of these are key aspects of who you are in Christ. But one of the most important identities you and I have is that of being “sent people.” Just as Jesus was sent into the world to show God’s love, He now sends us to do the same. It’s not enough to simply talk about sharing our faith, we must do it. It’s a part of our identity of being the people God has called us to be.

I’m aware that some people will be uncomfortable just reading this. But keep in mind that being sent is both a privilege and responsibility. It’s not something you can put to the side until you feel more comfortable. As disciples, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus. Sharing the good news can be as simple as telling someone you are praying for them, inviting them to church, sharing what God’s been doing in your life or reminding them that God cares about them. You are sent, whether you are an introvert, or an extrovert, whether talking about Jesus is comfortable or uncomfortable for you. You are sent. It’s your truest identity. And if you’re still nervous, just remember, you will not be alone. Jesus will be with you every step of the way, and He will help you to accomplish His mission.

Pray:

Father, use my words and actions to help others understand the gospel and see their need for you, today. In Your Name, Amen.

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 ESV

Does the following scenario sound familiar? Your child comes running to you, crying hysterically. They throw themselves on the floor flailing their arms and legs. You don’t know what’s wrong. You try picking them up and holding them, but that doesn’t seem to help. At some point you use the one of the most common phrases a parent uses with a toddler. “Use your words.” Today we’re talking about, “Using your words.”

There’s a quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that reads, “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words.” I appreciate what St. Francis was trying to say…don’t just preach, live what you’re preaching. Which is important, absolutely. But it’s unfortunate that many hide behind the idea of “lifestyle evangelism,” and think that if they live good enough lives, people will see their faith and “make a decision” for Christ. It’s true that good works can help people be open to the gospel. But at some point, the gospel must be shared.

Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (ESV). Did you notice the verse doesn’t say faith comes through being an exceptionally nice person. It says, “faith comes from hearing”!

Yes, we should behave in a way that opens the door to conversations about our faith. Our actions should demonstrate our love for Christ, and not be a stumbling block for others. But in addition to our lifestyles, we should be ready to share the Good News. “Use your words.”

Pray:

Father, I want to share the good news of salvation. But I’ve been worried that I will say the wrong thing, or they’ll reject me. Help me to be less concerned about me and more concerned about them. Help me to use my words. In Your Name, Amen.

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:15-17 NLT

For way too long, the Church of Jesus Christ has been divided over various issues. One of the biggest issues is the divide between those who are passionate about reaching lost people with the Gospel, and others who focus on helping people with practical needs of food, clothing, and other necessities. When I say the Church is divided, I mean the former group criticizes the latter, wrapping themselves in their religious robes, while the latter feel superior because they were providing for the physical needs of others. To be honest, I’m not sure either group really sees the whole man.

Please hear me: it’s NOT either/or…it’s both/and!

Do we need to preach the Gospel? By all means. Do we need to provide food and clothing for those in need. Absolutely.

But please keep in mind that people can go to hell with a full stomach. At the same time, can we acknowledge that an empty stomach can also distract people from hearing the Gospel. May we compassionately care for the whole man – body, soul, and spirit. As we see lost people and the needs they have, may those we serve see Jesus through us.

Pray:

Father, help those of us in the body of Christ be aware of the needs all around us and help us to live out our faith through action and generosity. In Your Name, Amen

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy; Ps 82:3-4 NIV

Every day I hear something on the news that concerns or distresses me. It’s easy to get upset about the things that are happening in our world, and closer to home, with our government. While we should be stirred up with a righteous anger when faced with sin, we must also keep in mind that God is in control and trust that He knows. He knows the past, present and future. He knows how even small things impact other things down the road. (The butterfly effect.) He knows what must happen now for His will to be accomplished 50 years from now. He knows everything, and because He does, we can trust Him.

Trust and pray. Pray for every person in public office, especially for the ones we dislike or disagree with the most. Not praying for our own will but for God to use them to accomplish His will. We also need to pray for families, and the youth of our nation. We need to pray for those who are wounded, neglected, and abused. We need to pray that people in every station of life will have the opportunity to be impacted by the Good News of Jesus.

Besides prayer, we can also do something about injustices we see. We can show compassion and help those in need, showing mercy, not judgment. This is no time to judge or complain. It’s time to pray and act with Christ’s love and mercy. After all, my own little world will only be better when I am better. Don’t just get mad, pray, and help those in need.

Pray:

Father, I ask for peace in our country and the world. Please give our leaders and other world leaders the wisdom to look to You for guidance. In the absence of peace around me, help me share Your gospel of peace. When my thoughts become critical, help me to turn them into prayers. In Your Name, Amen.

“to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them . . . the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” Is 61:2-3 NIV

After my parent’s “Celebration of Life” service, my brother and I were comforting each other. I don’t know who said it first, but we both agreed, “I don’t know how people without Christ get through seasons of loss.” Today God reminded me that He loves everyone, that Jesus died for everyone, and He wants everyone to be comforted. So how can we extend God’s love and share the Good News of Jesus with someone who is hurting?

First, listen, and then listen some more. There will be a time to speak, but first listen. If a person wants to talk, love them enough to listen to their story and feelings. Then pray like crazy. Pray while you listen. Pray while you speak. Ask them if you can pray with them before you go, and pray for them later, whenever they come to mind. As a disciple, you have an audience with the Omnipotent Ruler of the Universe who promises to hear and answer your prayers. So, pray for the grieving and hurting who don’t know Jesus.

Whatever hope you offer, let it be guided by the truth of God’s Word. That doesn’t mean you give a chapter and verse for everything you say. It’s possible to give biblical hope without ever mentioning the Bible specifically. But keep in mind that for those who are lost without God, there is no hope more urgent than the gospel. I’m not saying you need to immediately launch into the “four spiritual laws.” That’s probably not a very compassionate approach. But you can look for a moment in the person’s story where you can share a piece of the gospel. That’s consolation.

Pray:

“Father, give me opportunities to comfort those who grieve and mourn over loss and give them Your unexplainable joy. In Your Name, Amen”

I’m a list maker. I write daily to-to-lists, project lists, grocery lists, and even make lists for other people. But probably the most important list that any of us can make is a prayer list. I find if I don’t write a list of things that’s on God’s heart to pray about, I tend to pray only what’s on my heart. There’s nothing wrong with praying for what’s on our hearts, the Word invites us to come to God with our concerns. But there is more. We also have an invitation to partner with God by praying what’s on His heart. Which is a rewarding, fulfilling and even exciting way to pray. For when we pray for God’s will, it instantly puts our prayers in the answered prayer category. I’m talking about prayer requests like the one Jesus made.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt 9:37-38 NIV

The situation hasn’t changed since Jesus’ day. There’s still a huge harvest of people who need salvation, but few people are willing to tell them. We need to pray that God would motivate His children to go out into the harvest. Prayer is central to evangelism. Pray for God to open doors of opportunity. Pray for wisdom to know what to say and when to say it, for sensitivity and boldness. Also, pray for the heart of the hearer to be receptive to your words. If you’re a disciple, God has called you to share the Good News. Undoubtedly there will be people who won’t respond favorably. But we pray, God is the One who moves hearts and saves people, not us. So, are you regularly praying for opportunities to share the Good News with the lost? Is it on your prayer list?

Pray:

Father, help me to focus my prayer on what you want. Help me to regularly pray for the lost, and my part in reaching them. In Your Name, Amen

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. Rom 10:1 ESV

If I asked you, “What’s your heart’s desire, what’s the one thing in the world you want the most?” How would you answer? I hope it wouldn’t be the same as beauty pageant contestants of the past, “World peace.” A nice enough thought, but I doubt a truthful answer. What would be your honest answer? I admit that I’d have a hard time answering that one, because there’s a lot that I desire. But Paul knew his heart’s desire and prayer was for lost people to be saved.

I think one of our shortcomings as disciples is praying for the lost, which from our text, seems to be a heart issue. A verse often displayed at football games declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …”. The closer you get to God, the more you will be like Him, and the more your love for the lost will grow. So perhaps our first prayer is that God would draw us closer to Him, so His heart for the lost would become our own.

If we really get God’s heart for lost people, it will be manifested in the way that we pray, because we pray about what we really care about. So rather than trying to identify what we desire the most, maybe we should just look at what we pray about the most. Finances, promotions, our various aches, and pains? If it’s not the lost, then we should pray for a revival in our hearts that would cause us to care more for lost people. It all starts with the heart’s desire. Is your heart’s desire and prayer to God for lost people to come to faith in Christ?

Pray:

Father, help me to draw closer to You, so that my heart’s desire, like yours is for the lost. Help me to truly care about the lost and pray for them on a daily basis. In Your Name, Amen.

“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14 NKJV

We often do not pray for the Nations because we don’t think it will make a difference. We also don’t pray for missionaries because we don’t know what to pray. But we can have confidence and fresh content for our prayers by praying the Scriptures!

• Pray for Nations – “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance,” Psalms 2:8 NKJV
• Pray for More Workers – “³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38 NLT
• Pray for Opportunities to Speak and for Yourself to Proclaim the Message Clearly - ² Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ³ Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Colossians 4:2-4 NLT

Pray:

Father, we do pray for Nations today; nations like Senegal, Iran, northern Nigeria, Israel, and the Philippines, where Disciples Church has partners among some of the most unreached people groups on earth. Raise up more workers, even from among us. Open doors of opportunity for DCers to proclaim the message of Christ and truly make a difference in our world. In Your Name, Amen.

Then I looked, and there was a large crowd of people. There were so many people that no one could count them all. They were from every nation, tribe, race of people, and language of the earth. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb...They shouted loudly, “Victory belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Rev 7:9-10 ERV

This vision that God gave to the Apostle John is what disciples of Christ have been laboring and praying for…for centuries. But after all these years, our job is still not done. There are Christians in every political country on earth today, but there are still many ethnic groups that have not yet heard the awesome name of Jesus. How many? There are 7,000 people groups that are less than 2% Christian, which represents 3.2 billion people. While there are churches seemingly on every street corner here in America, there are billions of people around the world that have no access to a church or the Bible. As disciples of Christ, it’s our responsibility to bring the good news of Jesus, to them.

Though it seems like a daunting task, it’s not an impossible one, if all of us focus on God’s heart for the nations and our responsibility to share the gospel with those who have not yet heard. There are three ways we can do this. We can go on short-term mission’s trips, we can sacrificially give so that others can go, and we can pray. We can pray for God to prepare hearts to hear and receive the gospel, even in the face of adversity. We can pray for disciples around the world to be obedient to His call to go to these unreached people, regardless of the risk. We can pray for open doors, receptive hearts, and God's protection. Will you pray with me so that billions of unreached people are reached?

Pray:

Father, use me in your great mission to bring people from every group on earth into your family. In Your Name, Amen.

“He has sent me to…proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” Isaiah 61:1 NIV

Sitting on the floor with young girls rescued from sex trafficking, and ministering to them with the love of the Lord was like a dream come true. It broke my heart, but I was so thankful for the opportunity. It made the plight of trafficking more real to me. Human trafficking is a story as old as time, with mentions of it in the book of Genesis with the story of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery. But it has expanded with the world’s population causing the trafficking of people to impact every country on the planet.

Human trafficking is a horrific crime that enslaves over 40 million people worldwide as modern-day slaves. This trafficking, that includes sex trafficking, is a global problem fueled by desperation, inequality, and greed. It exploits vulnerable adults and children for profit, resulting in severe physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. 1 in 4 modern slaves is a child. I learned sitting on the floor of that room halfway around the world, that every one of these are people, not just statistics. They are God’s beloved, being kept from living their God-given potential. As disciples we are called to stand against injustice, and to pray for captives to be set free. Prayer is a powerful tool that ushers in the Holy Spirit to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. If you’ve not prayed about trafficking before, here are some prayer points.

• Pray for the immediate release and freedom of all individuals held captive and exploited through human trafficking. Ask God to mend their broken hearts, spirits, and bodies, restoring their dignity.
• Pray for governments and legislators, that God would grant them wisdom, courage, and boldness to speak up against trafficking.
• Pray for perpetrators that their eyes would be opened, and their hearts changed by the calling of God on their lives.

Pray:

Father, release those held captive through human trafficking and may they experience healing and freedom through Your unfailing love. In Your Name, Amen.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” 1 Tim 2:1-2 NIV

There we were, my husband and I, sitting in a restaurant in Phnom Penh with the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, sharing pictures of our grandchildren. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that I would have lunch with a government official of any nation, let alone have such a relaxed time, sharing food, family pictures and Christ with a Buddhist government official. But the experience opened my eyes to the fact that government leaders are people too, and need Christ just as much, maybe even more that “regular” people. Because they have the power to affect the lives of many including opening or closing doors in their countries to the Gospel.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he urges us to pray for those in authority, from local to international leaders. Despite political differences, our focus should be on God's will and the spread of His kingdom. I encourage you to pray for God's kingdom to be established globally and for the salvation and growth of international leaders. Do research so you can pray for them specifically by name. Ask God to reveal Himself to them, and give them wisdom, discernment, and integrity in their governance. Pray that they would create an environment in their country where believers would be protected, and the Gospel could be freely proclaimed. And pray also for those who advise them.

By consistently praying for international leaders, you will be partnering with God’s plan to bring people from all nations to a saving knowledge of the truth. I challenge you to pray for God to transform leaders of nations for His kingdom purposes.

Pray:

Father, we pray for all those in positions of authority in the nations that they will lead those under them in peace, godliness, and holiness. In Your Name, Amen.

In Biology Class one of the school jocks called out my name. He wanted me to see that he had hung up the pig he was dissecting like it was hanging on a cross. Everyone in the class snickered at his crude attempt to mock me for my Christian faith. But that’s it. That’s the extent of my “persecution.” Just someone making fun of my faith. No big deal, especially compared to the stories men and women have shared with me across the world. Globally, the persecution of Christians involves arrest, imprisonment, church burning, abduction, abuse, and martyrdom. I held a young home church pastor as she cried telling me how soldiers had come into her home to arrest her and had beaten her with a metal pipe. She was in a coma for three days in the prison hospital, and along with broken bones had lost her unborn child.

Around the world, hundreds of millions of Christians daily face persecution for their faith. They’re not allowed to get work, their churches and homes are destroyed, they are unjustly arrested, imprisoned, beaten, and even killed for their faith. Since we don’t experience persecution on that level, we easily forget the plight of so many believers worldwide. But we should NOT ignore the hardships of our brothers and sisters. Since the New Testament was written to a persecuted church, it shows us what to do.

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Eph 6:18 ESV

Pray that…

• They would have wisdom and discernment for how to approach every situation.
• Persecuted Christians would continue to fearlessly tell others about Jesus.
• Their witness would transform their prisoners.
• God gives them strength beyond human ability.
• God would provide for the physical needs of persecuted Christians.

Pray:

Father, keep Psalm 142:6-7 in my mind as I pray daily for the persecuted church. Give persecuted Christians around the world protection, wisdom, strength, and courage to continue to spread the Gospel amidst their suffering. In Your Name, Amen.

and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:7 NKJV

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? I did, a small one, but it was strong enough to toss me out of the bed of a guest house we were staying in. Even if we haven’t experienced an earthquake, we’ve all seen the pictures of the horrible devastation that can be caused by the shaking of a strong earthquake. But don’t panic, that’s not what our verse is all about. It’s not about God sending earthquakes across the planet. It’s about God intervening in the affairs of the world, causing significant upheaval and change in order to bring about His purposes.

This is a prophetic passage speaking of a time when God will shake the nations, with the result of people turning to the "Desire of All Nations". Many interpret this “Desire” as a title for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And that this shaking is meant to be a catalyst for the nations to turn towards God and for His glory to be revealed.

It kind of feels like the shaking has already begun, doesn’t it? We need to trust God and partner with Him in prayer, asking that the shaking of nations will stir hearts and cause a greater openness to the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move in different nations to draw people closer to Jesus, and that God’s house will be filled with His glory. Pray for believers around the world to be united in purpose, reflecting God's heart as they share the good news of Christ. 

Pray:

Father, in light of your promise to fill Your house with glory, I humbly ask for a fresh outpouring of Your presence in my life. May my life radiate your brilliance and reflect Your character to a world in need. And not only in my life, but in the lives of disciples in every nation, Your global church. In Your Name, Amen.

“And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time,” Ephesians 6:19 MSG

Here we see Paul—one of the great missionaries of the early church—express his need for prayer partners, and he probably had many. Today’s text gives us a helpful start on how to pray for missionaries and other gospel workers.

We can pray that God will give them the right words (relevant and effective messages); that they will make known the true gospel (free of false teachings); and that they will proclaim it courageously (knowing when to challenge false ideas and practices, and when to leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict people of the truth).

In the film Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler was able to prevent many Jews from going to the gas chambers in World War II. But toward the end of the film, he sobs, saying, “I didn’t do enough. . .. I could have saved more.” Missionaries can have similar guilt feelings about people they haven’t reached or about work left undone. Ask God to give them peace and to leave the unfinished work in his hands, guiding them to see the right priorities.

May God show them bridges that will overcome barriers. Pray that He will provide healthy family relationships, friendships, and connections with fellow workers (that’s an amazing and ugly reality, with many missionaries leaving their place of labor because of issues with their fellow missionaries). And ask the Lord to supply guidance for training local leaders to continue the ministries.

Let’s stay connected with our missionaries, receive their prayer concerns, and pray faithfully for them.

Pray:

Father, strengthen and encourage all your gospel workers. Bless them with joy in serving you. In Your name, Amen.