Praying for People Around YouSample

Internationals

One of the beautiful things about America is the melting pot of culture that exists across the nation. So many people come from so many backgrounds. And while this creates an incredible opportunity for distinct and diverse cultures, it’s not always a smooth transition.

Today, we want to pray for the people who moved here from somewhere else. We want to pray for the people they left behind and for the potentially bright future they came to find. And we want to pray that they are able to find a Christ-centered community that accepts them for who they are.

This third request points back to us. If we know anything about God, it’s that he uses his people to love people. That gives us the opportunity to look around at the international people living around us and be the place of refuge and solace they came to seek.

Instead of keeping them at arm’s length because they look or act differently, we can open our arms and be the welcoming embrace God wants to give them. So, to start, let’s open our eyes to those around us and take them to God in prayer...

Oh God, who reigns over the nations, I come to you today to pray for the internationals living in our apartment communities. You have brought the nations to us. People from every tribe, nation, and tongue are living here, and many of them have yet to learn of you, Jesus. What an amazing opportunity. Perhaps it was for this very reason that you brought them here, that they would come to know you. Open the hearts of internationals living in our midst. Many come from nations where it is illegal to share the gospel, where Christians are persecuted and silenced. Help us make the most of the opportunity before us. Grant us love and boldness to cross cultural boundaries. Help us to befriend them, to serve them, and to invite them into our homes and churches. Give us opportunities to share with them the love of Christ. Amen.