In this week’s Time magazine are these words from Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of just how interconnected the world is.”[1] I recently wrote about prayers I’m praying for people around where I live, but I’m reminded today of the need to pray for our interconnected world. Would you join me in whispering a prayer for these folks as you read about them here?
- Missionaries serving around the world. Many of them are also locked down during this crisis, but they’re tapping into Great Commission creativity to continue to fulfill their callings. They especially need our prayers now.
- International graduates of US universities who are leading organizations and countries around the world. Many first heard the gospel while on the campus of a US-based university, and some have followed Christ and taken the gospel back to their homelands. They have hope to offer to the nations.
- Christian businessmen and women considering how to be a gospel witness while they work around the world. Some have returned to the States during this crisis, but they will go back to their work fields with, I trust, a greater burden to share the gospel with others.
- Future missionaries whose appointment processes have been delayed. Their calling hasn’t changed, but their timing has. Some had already made life-changing decisions (like selling homes) prior to COVID-19, and they’re itching to get to their fields.
- Families around the world who have lost loved ones. At the time of this writing, more than 165,000 deaths have been reported. Every one represents a family, even if the family was estranged for some reason. I must assume that many of them died without hope in Christ.
- Medical professionals around the world. In many cases, they’re doing the best they can do without the best equipment or resources. They’re sacrificing daily for the sake of others. Some are working overtime with the scientific community to develop vaccinations and medications.
- Pastors and church leaders around the world who will need to help their congregations gather again without the risk of returning infection. This need is not limited to North American church leaders; it’s a global need.
“Pray constantly” (1 Thess 5:17)
“As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you”
(1 Sam 12:23)
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[1] Cyril Ramaphosa, “Africa is Next,” Time (April 27-May 4, 2020): 80.
