“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?”
Romans 10:14
Did you know that if every Christian shared the gospel with every non-Christian they personally know, there would still be 3 Billion+ lost people in the world?!
Approximately 42% of people on this earth, as we speak, have not heard the name of Jesus – the only One who “rescues us from the wrath to come” [1 Thess. 1:10].
Doesn’t that just blow your mind 🧠 and tug at your heart ❤️?
And yet, Revelation 7 says that there will be a great multitude, an uncountable group of people “from every nation, tribe, people and language” praising Jesus, the Lamb who was slain.
But how will they hear? What can we do, as small, insignificant people from Wollongong and Corrimal, in light of God’s massive global plans? 🤷♀️
Over the past year, a small group of us (mostly from St Michael’s, but also other churches) have met together each month to pray for these Unreached peoples 🙏. Each time we meet, we focus our prayers on a specific country, with each of us bringing specific unreached people groups to pray for in that country. This year, we’ve prayed for India, Afghanistan, Niger, Myanmar, and North Korea.
There have been tears, shock, and deep sadness as we’ve learnt of the corruption of various governments, the poor treatment of vulnerable people, and the great spiritual darkness of our world. We’ve had our eyes raised to the world’s desperate need for Christ, and the work God is doing across our world. It truly has been a joy to bring these countries before our good and sovereign God together.
Earlier this year, this group went to the “Unreached and Unengaged” conference in the Blue Mountains, helping us to raise our eyes to the nations. We were challenged from 1 Timothy 2 on our prayer lives, both individually and together.
What would a culture of prayer look like across our churches?
- Why do we pray? And why do we pray big prayers?
Because God desires that all people, everywhere be saved, and only He can truly save all people. It is fitting that we pray to Him, that all people might know Him – because that not only brings God glory, but it is also His delight.
- What is the scope of your prayers?
It’s too small a thing for Jesus to be glorified just in our small patch of the world. His mission accomplished will include all people.
- Do you pray?
What’s stopping you? As we look at the Bible, it is clear that prayer is the priority. Prayer is what lies at the root of godliness. If you’re finding prayer hard at the moment, use the prayers of those who have gone before us in the faith [Eph. 1:15-23; Phil.1:3-11; Col. 1:9-13 etc.]
Our prayers are powerful, because our God is powerful. Be bold in prayer. And please join us in praying for the nations who have never had the chance to hear of the good news of Jesus – He really does change everything. If you would like to pray for Unreached people groups you can download the Joshua Project app, or add them to your PrayerMate lists. If you’d like to join the group of us praying together, just let me know 😊
Eden Parker | Ministry Trainee
