Day 19 of Hearts Prepared | A Heart For The Nations

Thank you for joining us for day 19 of our 21 days of prayer.

Hearts Prepared has been a journey together as we pray for hearts to be prepared for whatever God has for us.

Today, we pray for a heart for the nations.

In Matthew 28, 18 through 20, Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Today, we will be praying for hearts for the gospel to go to all the nations.

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father, today I thank you that you are the God of all nations.

People from every tongue, every tribe, and every nation have been created in your image to reflect who you are.

From the very beginning, your plan has been to redeem all who will believe in your Son Jesus.

Thank you that the gospel is not limited by borders, cultures, languages, or governments.

Your kingdom reaches every corner of the earth, and your desire is that people everywhere would know, worship, and follow Jesus.

Lord, your word promises that one day there will be a great multitude standing before your throne from every nation, every tribe, every people and language, all worshiping you.

Thank you that we have the privilege of participating in that mission today.

Father, forgive me for becoming so focused on my own lives that I neglect your heart for the nations.

Forgive me when my prayers become centered only on my own needs.

Would you expand my vision beyond myself?

Expand my heart beyond my own community.

Help me to see the world through your eyes.

Would you remind us today that the Great Commission is still our mission?

Help me to embrace it with joy, humility, and urgency.

Father, I pray for missionaries serving around the world.

Would you strengthen those who have left their homes to proclaim the gospel?

Protect them physically, guard them spiritually, encourage them when they grow weary, provide for every need that they have, open doors for the gospel that no one can shut.

Would you give them boldness to faithfully preach Christ, even in places where it's difficult or dangerous?

May they see many lives transformed by the power of the gospel.

Lord, I pray for pastors and church leaders serving in every nation.

Would you strengthen them as they faithfully shepherd your people?

Protect them from discouragement.

Give them wisdom to lead with integrity and courage.

Help them remain faithful to your word.

God, raise up healthy churches that boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ.

Father, I pray for believers who are suffering persecution because they follow Jesus.

Strengthen them in their faith.

Give them courage to stand firm.

Comfort those who are imprisoned.

Provide for families who have lost homes or jobs or loved ones because of their faith.

Remind them that they are never alone.

May their testimony bring many others to faith in Christ.

Lord, I pray for people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus.

Would you open doors for missionaries, Bible translators, pastors, and evangelists to go and share the gospel with them?

Provide opportunities for your word to reach every language and every culture.

May every person have the opportunity to hear the good news that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again.

Father, thank you for allowing Forward Church to participate in your global mission.

I thank you for every missionary that we support.

Thank you for every ministry partner serving around the world.

Thank you for every opportunity to give, pray, send, and go.

Help us never lose our passion for world missions.

May we faithfully invest our resources and what matters for eternity.

Lord, continue raising up men and women from our church who are willing to answer your call.

Some of you will be sent across the street.

Others will be sent around the world.

God, would you give each of us a willing heart to say, Here am I, send me.

Father, help me remember that every follower of Jesus is called to live as a missionary.

Whether I travel to another country or remain in my hometown or cross my street, I am your ambassador.

Use me wherever you place me to make Christ known.

God, I want to be faithful in prayer, faithful in giving, faithful in encouraging, faithful in going wherever you lead me to go.

God, I pray for our own nation.

Would you bring spiritual awakening right here?

Revive your church, call people to repentance, strengthen pastors to boldly preach your word.

May many come to faith in Jesus.

I pray for every nation represented across the globe.

May kings and leaders recognize that you alone are Lord.

Would you bring peace where there's conflict, bring justice where there's oppression, bring hope where there's despair.

And above all, may the gospel advance in power.

Father, never let me become content simply waiting for heaven.

Help me to invest my life in helping others to get there.

Teach me to live every day with eternity in view.

May my prayers, my generosity, my service, and my witness all reflect your heart for the nations.

Lord, you're worthy of worship of every people and every language.

May the day come quickly when the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Until that day, help me faithfully participate in your mission.

Use my life for your kingdom work.

May your name be exalted among the nations.

May the gospel continue to spread.

May disciples be made, and may churches be strengthened and found faithful.

May countless people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

And I pray this with joy and expectation of what you will do, God.

And I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus.

Amen.

I hope you'll take some time today to pray for our mission partners.

We have mission partners in the South Pacific, in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and in Fiji.

Take some time to pray for them today.