Ordinary Moments: Small Prayers That Can Change The WorldSample

Your Morning Commute 

Commuting is one of the most mundane parts of the day. 

You probably pass the same trees, the same stretch of highway and sit in the same frustrating traffic. Halfway to work you realize your socks don’t match and your $5 coffee is actually more creamer than caffeine. 

No matter how long your commute is, you can pass the time by covering the world in prayer as you drive, ride, bike or walk to your destination. Maybe there’s an area of the world that you saw on the news last night or one that you heard about recently through a friend. But even if you’re passionate about a certain area of the world, you might not know how to pray for it or the people living there. Where do you begin?

While you’re traveling to and from work, you can lift up issues affecting specific areas of the world. God does the impossible through prayer, and it’s through prayer that His work is accomplished on earth. Here are prayers for the five regions of the world to get you started:

• Africa: Lord, I want to lift up the people in Africa who are experiencing the effects of ongoing civil unrest. Bring peace and healing to the region and be with those struggling with related impacts, including displacement and poverty.  
• Americas: I pray for unstable governments in the vastly diverse Americas. As people grapple with economic and political uncertainty, give them safety and strength. Open borders so that medical supplies, food and water can be delivered to the people who need it. Please bring solutions that stimulate change and economic growth.  
• Asia: Lord, I pray for the believers across Asia who are facing increased persecution. As threat levels rise, I ask for safety for believers facing repression. Give them strength and let them be reminded of how much You love them and of the hope they have in You.    
• Europe: I ask that You be with everyone impacted by Europe’s refugee crisis. Please protect refugees as they travel and give them a sense of safety and belonging as they adjust to their new countries. I pray that separated families would be reunited and that they would find a new hope and home in Christ.
• Pacific: I pray for the health crisis in the Pacific region. Please give those suffering strength and perseverance. Give health care providers wisdom and access to the medical supplies they need. Encourage people suffering to be faithful with treatment so that communicable diseases won’t spread further.  

You may never meet those you’re lifting up to God, but through your prayers you’re creating a meaningful connection with people around the world. God hears you and can answer your prayers for them!

Things to Ponder:

• What current events happening around the world can you be in prayer for?
• What specific region or country are you interested in? How can you pray for them today?
• How can you use what’s happening in the news to be a light to the world around you?