WEBVTT 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:05.200 Thank you for joining us for day 19 of our 21 days of prayer. 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:11.519 Hearts Prepared has been a journey together as we pray for hearts to be prepared for whatever God has for us. 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:14.880 Today, we pray for a heart for the nations. 00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:21.839 In Matthew 28, 18 through 20, Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:32.399 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. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:36.159 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:41.600 Today, we will be praying for hearts for the gospel to go to all the nations. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:43.600 Let's pray together. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:48.560 Heavenly Father, today I thank you that you are the God of all nations. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:54.799 People from every tongue, every tribe, and every nation have been created in your image to reflect who you are. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:01:00.159 From the very beginning, your plan has been to redeem all who will believe in your Son Jesus. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:06.079 Thank you that the gospel is not limited by borders, cultures, languages, or governments. 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:14.239 Your kingdom reaches every corner of the earth, and your desire is that people everywhere would know, worship, and follow Jesus. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:25.439 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. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:30.480 Thank you that we have the privilege of participating in that mission today. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:35.599 Father, forgive me for becoming so focused on my own lives that I neglect your heart for the nations. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:39.920 Forgive me when my prayers become centered only on my own needs. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:42.959 Would you expand my vision beyond myself? 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:45.599 Expand my heart beyond my own community. 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:48.560 Help me to see the world through your eyes. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:53.200 Would you remind us today that the Great Commission is still our mission? 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.200 Help me to embrace it with joy, humility, and urgency. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:00.319 Father, I pray for missionaries serving around the world. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:03.840 Would you strengthen those who have left their homes to proclaim the gospel? 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:14.800 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. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:20.479 Would you give them boldness to faithfully preach Christ, even in places where it's difficult or dangerous? 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:24.400 May they see many lives transformed by the power of the gospel. 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:29.039 Lord, I pray for pastors and church leaders serving in every nation. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:32.560 Would you strengthen them as they faithfully shepherd your people? 00:02:32.800 --> 00:02:34.400 Protect them from discouragement. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:37.199 Give them wisdom to lead with integrity and courage. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:39.759 Help them remain faithful to your word. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:45.120 God, raise up healthy churches that boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:49.840 Father, I pray for believers who are suffering persecution because they follow Jesus. 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:51.759 Strengthen them in their faith. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:54.080 Give them courage to stand firm. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:56.400 Comfort those who are imprisoned. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:02.319 Provide for families who have lost homes or jobs or loved ones because of their faith. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:04.719 Remind them that they are never alone. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:08.639 May their testimony bring many others to faith in Christ. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:12.240 Lord, I pray for people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:20.159 Would you open doors for missionaries, Bible translators, pastors, and evangelists to go and share the gospel with them? 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:24.479 Provide opportunities for your word to reach every language and every culture. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:31.039 May every person have the opportunity to hear the good news that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:36.159 Father, thank you for allowing Forward Church to participate in your global mission. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.879 I thank you for every missionary that we support. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:42.240 Thank you for every ministry partner serving around the world. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:47.039 Thank you for every opportunity to give, pray, send, and go. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:50.719 Help us never lose our passion for world missions. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:54.800 May we faithfully invest our resources and what matters for eternity. 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:59.759 Lord, continue raising up men and women from our church who are willing to answer your call. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:03.919 Some of you will be sent across the street. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:06.800 Others will be sent around the world. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:12.879 God, would you give each of us a willing heart to say, Here am I, send me. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:17.920 Father, help me remember that every follower of Jesus is called to live as a missionary. 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:24.079 Whether I travel to another country or remain in my hometown or cross my street, I am your ambassador. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.639 Use me wherever you place me to make Christ known. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:37.360 God, I want to be faithful in prayer, faithful in giving, faithful in encouraging, faithful in going wherever you lead me to go. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.680 God, I pray for our own nation. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:42.800 Would you bring spiritual awakening right here? 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:48.639 Revive your church, call people to repentance, strengthen pastors to boldly preach your word. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:51.920 May many come to faith in Jesus. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:54.879 I pray for every nation represented across the globe. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:59.439 May kings and leaders recognize that you alone are Lord. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:06.560 Would you bring peace where there's conflict, bring justice where there's oppression, bring hope where there's despair. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:11.040 And above all, may the gospel advance in power. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:14.720 Father, never let me become content simply waiting for heaven. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:18.720 Help me to invest my life in helping others to get there. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:22.079 Teach me to live every day with eternity in view. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:28.240 May my prayers, my generosity, my service, and my witness all reflect your heart for the nations. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:33.279 Lord, you're worthy of worship of every people and every language. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:39.040 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. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:44.639 Until that day, help me faithfully participate in your mission. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:47.600 Use my life for your kingdom work. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:50.240 May your name be exalted among the nations. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:52.079 May the gospel continue to spread. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:57.600 May disciples be made, and may churches be strengthened and found faithful. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:02.480 May countless people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:07.439 And I pray this with joy and expectation of what you will do, God. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.800 And I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:11.759 Amen. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:16.000 I hope you'll take some time today to pray for our mission partners. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:21.519 We have mission partners in the South Pacific, in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and in Fiji. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:24.240 Take some time to pray for them today.