09/16/2024
I feel incredibly blessed and deeply honored to have been invited to share with the Asia-Pacific Mission team, alongside such esteemed leaders as CChristine Trent Mosuela Global Nazarene Missions President, and District Superintendent JJun Joseph Macasthis evening my time and Tuesday morning, Manila time. This opportunity to unite in purpose and passion for God’s Kingdom in such a powerful context was truly humbling.
As we prayed for the U.S./Canada region and the broader denomination, I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans…
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)
I shared a passage of Scripture from Romans 10 and a short devotional thought with the team.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” - Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
We then had a time of prayer with each person taking an item to pray for and I was given the honor and privilege to pray the closing prayer for the US/Canada region. Here was my prayer. I pray if you are still reading this that you will be blessed.
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with hearts filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving you in Your mission. Thank You for the calling You have placed on each of us, to be messengers of Your love and truth. I lift up our Asia – Pacific mission team and the work You are doing through our denomination, asking for Your guidance and strength.
Lord as we gather, let Your Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom and unity. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of our faith. May we be bold in proclaiming the gospel, gentle in spirit, and always ready to serve with humility.
Ww pray for those we are called to reach, that their hearts would be open and receptive to Your message. Equip us to be Your hands and feet, and grant us compassion for the lost, the broken, and the hurting.
Prayer Requests for the United States/Canada Region
1. Unity and Healing Across Divides
We pray for reconciliation and healing across social, racial, and political divides in the U.S. May God bring understanding, peace, and compassion to a nation that often feels fractured.
2. Spiritual Awakening
We ask for a revival of faith across the country, that hearts would turn to Jesus. We pray for churches to be bold in their witness and for the Holy Spirit to soften hearts toward the Gospel.
3. Strength for Church Leaders
We lift up pastors and ministry leaders, asking You, Lord, to grant them wisdom, perseverance, and strength as they navigate the challenges of leading in a rapidly changing culture.
4. Compassion for the Vulnerable
We pray that the church would rise up in love and compassion for the marginalized, including the poor, the homeless, refugees, and those facing mental health challenges. May you, Lord, stir a desire for justice and mercy within every believer.
5. Youth and the Next Generation
We ask You, Lord, to move powerfully among the youth in America and Canada, protecting them from the pressures of the world and drawing them into a deep relationship with Christ. We pray for those in educational environments, that they would stand firm in their faith and be lights in their communities.
6. Christian Universities and Colleges
We pray for Christian universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada, that they would remain strong in their commitment to biblical truth. We ask You to guide faculty, staff, and students, protecting them from secular pressures while equipping them to be Christ-centered leaders in their fields. May these institutions be places where faith is nurtured, wisdom is pursued, and the next generation of Christian leaders are prepared.
7. Guidance for Government Leaders
We pray for the government, from local officials to national leaders. We ask You to give them wisdom, discernment, and a heart for the common good. We pray that justice, integrity, and righteousness will prevail in decisions that affect the nation.
8. Missionary Efforts and Outreach
We pray that the U.S. and Canada would not only be nations receiving blessings but also continue to be a sending nation for missionaries. We ask that mission efforts, both at home and abroad, would bear fruit and lead many to Christ.
9. Peace and Security
We pray for protection over the country, that peace and safety would reign. We ask for your protection against violence, natural disasters, and any threats that seek to bring harm to the people.
Bless our efforts, Lord, and remind us that the harvest is Yours. May we trust in Your timing, Your provision, and Your sovereign Will as we go out to make Your name known.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen.
