Let All The Peoples

Praise You
30 DAYS OF PRAYING FOR URGENT NEEDS
AMONG THE NATIONS

30 DAYS
 The aim of this prayer guide is simple:

to encourage you to pray for some of the world’s most urgent

needs in light of the truths of God’s Word.

That’s why each day contains a brief reflection from God’s Word
alongside a snapshot of urgent needs in a particular country. ¹

However, before you get started,

it’s important to know why we’ve highlighted these particular
countries and these particular needs. And this requires
understanding the scope of the mission Christ has given to
his church.

Copyright (C) 2021 by David Platt and Radical, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America

Published by Radical, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the ESV(R) Bible

(The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright (C) 2001 by Crossway.
Used by permission. All rights reserved. ¹ Many of the reflections from God’s Word in this guide are adapted from David Platt’s “Pray the Word” podcast.
2 3
 Getting Started The Great Imbalance
It is estimated that around 3% of missionaries
The End Goal
As you complete these thirty days of prayer,
in the world today are working among our hope is that you’ll be compelled to make
unreached people groups, while only about praying for urgent needs among the nations
All Nations believe the gospel or that they haven’t heard 1% of our “missions” giving is aimed at a regular part of your life. We also hope
Following his death and resurrection, Jesus it explained clearly, as unfortunate as that reaching the unreached. While we should not you’ll be open to how the Lord might lead
commanded his disciples to “make disciples is. It’s that they don’t even have access to a neglect peoples and places that are already you to leverage your life—your resources,
of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). However, Christian or a church that could share the reached, including our own communities, your time, your gifts, your education, your life
when Jesus used the word “nations” (ethne), gospel with them. Practically speaking, it should concern us that the church is experiences, etc.— for the sake of spreading
he was not referring to the nearly two they will be born, live, die, and go to hell virtually ignoring those with the least access the gospel among those who have never
hundred nations, or countries, that exist in without ever hearing about who Jesus is and to the gospel. This needs to change. heard. Regardless of how the Lord leads,
the world today. He was referring to peoples, what he has done to provide forgiveness and every follower of Christ should echo the cry
tribes, or languages, what we might refer to eternal life. Reaching them with the gospel is of the psalmist: “Let the peoples praise you,
today as people groups. therefore an urgent need. But even that is not O God; let all the peoples praise you!”
the full picture. (Psalm 67:1)
The countries you’ll be praying for over the
People groups are ethno-linguistic groups
Urgent Needs next thirty days represent some (though,
of people who share common language and
sadly, not all) of the hardest to reach peoples
cultural characteristics, a common ethnicity. In addition to urgent spiritual needs, many
and places in the world. They have been
Approximately 17,000 people groups have of the hardest to reach peoples and places
chosen using Stratus, a free online tool from
been identified in the world today, and the in the world also have urgent physical
Radical that helps identify the world’s most
church’s mission is to make disciples among needs. They suffer under conditions such as
urgent needs (see [Link]).
all of them. Sadly, though, over 7,000 of these repressive governments, extreme poverty,
Stratus takes into account a variety of
people groups are still considered unreached. or the threat of human trafficking, to name
spiritual and physical needs, including
Understanding this word is critical for the but a few. Because these are people created
barriers that prevent the spread of the gospel,
church’s mission, so we need to make sure in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), their
in order to rank the needs of countries in
we know what it means to be unreached. suffering should matter to us. It should
relation to other countries.
also matter to us because these physical
Unreached conditions and needs often create barriers
Unreached peoples and places are those to the spread of the gospel, which is
among whom Jesus is largely unknown and everyone’s most urgent need. This is why
the church is relatively insufficient to make Radical supports indigenous believers who
Jesus known in its broader population without are making disciples and multiplying healthy
outside help. It is estimated that out of the churches among the world’s hardest to reach
7.75 billion people in the world today, peoples and places through Urgent.
over 3 billion of them (about 40%) (Go to [Link] to learn more).
are unreached.
Sadly, only a tiny percentage of our resources
A person who is a part of an unreached and efforts are currently aimed at addressing
people group is in a different situation than the world’s hardest to reach peoples and
your non-Christian family, friends, and places. This reality is known as the Great
neighbors. It’s not simply that they don’t Imbalance.
² These and similar statistics related to the Great Imbalance are based on the findings of Joshua Project, World
Christian Encyclopedia, Status of Global Christianity, Perspectives, World Christian Trends, Atlas of World Christianity,
and Operation World. Due to a variety of factors (security concerns, inconsistent reporting, etc.), it is difficult to be
certain or overly precise about worldwide data related to missions and giving.
4 5
 DAY 01

Great Commission Promises COUNTRY

Afghanistan
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matt 28:18–20

If we’re honest, this passage known as (Matthew 1:23), promises to be with us

the Great Commission can feel like an “always, to the end of the age.” What
overwhelming task. The idea of making an astounding guarantee: as we go
disciples among all the people groups of out to proclaim the gospel in our own
the earth—that’s what Jesus means by “all neighborhoods and among all nations, POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
nations”—seems impossible. And it is . . . the Lord of heaven and earth will be with us!
humanly speaking. But Jesus never expected 38,739,889 • Pray that gospel workers would be sent
his church to carry out this command in its To be sure, Christ’s promises do not mean and that God would protect them as they
own strength or according to its own wisdom. that our mission will be easy. We have been MAIN RELIGION proclaim Christ in this dangerous region.

Just before sending out his disciples, Jesus

told to expect opposition and persecution
(John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12), and many of
Islam • Ask God to sustain the faith and strengthen
assured them that he had been given “all our brothers and sisters in Christ around the the witness of Afghan believers and
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
authority in heaven and on earth.” That means world are experiencing that now. However, churches.
the “nations” among whom we are to make Christ’s power and presence do mean that 72 • For the good of the Afghan people,
disciples are ultimately under the authority our mission cannot fail. Christ will build his
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: pray for an end to the terrorism and
of Jesus. Regardless of the barriers and church, and not even death and hell will
violence in the country.
obstacles that stand in our way, whether they
be spiritual or physical, nothing is outside of
prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
67
Christ’s sovereign control. The nations belong So let us pray with confidence—in Christ,
to him. not in ourselves—that disciples would be Largest Unreached People Group:
made among all nations. Afghan, Tajik
Then, to bolster our faith even more, Jesus (10,585,000; 0.01% Evangelical)
also promises us his very presence in this
mission. The One who was called “Immanuel” Gospel Barriers:
at his birth, meaning “God with us” High levels of religious persecution; following
Christ is extremely dangerous.

Physical Needs:
Safety and security are serious concerns;
acts of terrorism are prevalent.

6 To learn more about the needs of Afghanistan, go here. 7

 DAY 02

Praise the Lord, All Nations COUNTRY

Yemen
Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
PSALM 117:1

It’s so easy for our perspective on the world Included in the “all” nations and peoples are
to become too limited. Our thoughts naturally the over 3 billion people created in God’s
run to our own lives, our own families, our image (Genesis 1:26–27) and for his glory
own communities, and our own nation. who remain unreached. God is worthy of
And this is certainly understandable. We have their praise too, which should compel us
important responsibilities where God has to tell them what God has accomplished
placed us, and there are needs everywhere through the life, death, and resurrection of
we look. Not to mention, we only have so his Son. They desperately need to hear that POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
much bandwidth in terms of how we use our
time, energy, and resources. But none of this
God’s “steadfast love” is “great” and that his
“faithfulness” never comes to an end
29,681,819 • Pray for an end to fighting and for gospel
workers to find opportunities to serve
should blind us to God’s global purposes. (Psalm 117:2). MAIN RELIGION within the country.
There are approximately 7.75 billion people In light of our tendency to be self-focused, Islam • Pray for the relatively few believers in the
in the world today, and God deserves the let today’s passage remind you to look up and country to hold fast to the gospel. Ask God
worship of every last one of them. Though look out. Look up to the God who is worthy TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
to make Scripture more readily available to
Psalm 117 is the shortest of all the psalms,
its message has worldwide ramifications.
of the praise of all peoples, and look out at
the peoples who should be praising him but
30 Christians and non-Christians.
The psalmist calls on “all” nations to praise have still never heard. Then pray and act UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: • Pray that a sufficient amount of food would
the Lord and “all” peoples to extol him. accordingly. be made available for the health and
21 flourishing of all Yemeni people.

Largest Unreached People Group:

Arab, Northern Yemeni
(12,990,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
War and terrorism; individual rights and
freedoms are heavily impinged.

Physical Needs:
Poor nutrition causes high rates of
underweight children; death rates due to
disease in adults are high.

8 To learn more about the needs of Yemen, go here. 9

 DAY 03

Image Bearers of God COUNTRY

China
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . .”

GENESIS 1:26

This verse is breath-taking, awe-inducing, These individuals matter to God, so they

humbling, sobering, and encouraging—to should matter to us. This also means we
think that God has created you and me in should be concerned with their physical
his image! Now that obviously doesn’t mean needs: how could we be indifferent to image-
that we are little gods, but one of the things bearers of God who are starving, persecuted,
it does mean is that we have the capacity to abused, or suffering in all kinds of ways?
relate to God in a way that trees and oceans
and mountains and animals cannot. We cannot as individuals, or even as local
POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
churches, address the spiritual and physical
We can know God, enjoy God, relate to God,
walk with God, and worship God. And this
needs of all 7 billion people in the world.
But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing.
1,424,590,750 • Pray that Chinese believers would
persevere in the face of persecution.
is true of every single person on the planet, We should be compelled to consider the ways MAIN RELIGION Ask God to strengthen them with
regardless of culture, ethnicity, background,
or any other trait. All people have been
in which God has given us opportunities to
meet these needs. Non-Religious confidence in their future hope.
created with equal dignity in God’s image. • Pray for churches in China to be willing to
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
This has massive implications for many One simple way to grow in this area is take the gospel to the many unreached
aspects of our lives, including the mission
that Christ has given to his church.
through prayer. Ask God to give you greater
compassion for those who are made in his
544 people of China.

image and to open your eyes to opportunities UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: • Pray that the government would end its
abuse of the rights of citizens. Ask God
If all people are image-bearers of God,
then we dare not ignore their spiritual
you have to serve them.
443 to remove leaders who seek to hinder the
needs simply because they are far from spread of the gospel and bring harm on
us or different from us culturally. Largest Unreached People Group: the people.
Han Chinese, Xiang
(39,520,000; 2% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; internet content is
subjected to censorship.

Physical Needs:
There is a lack of basic sanitation services;
human rights are not protected and the rule
of law not enforced.

10 To learn more about the needs of China, go here. 11

 DAY 04

A Blessing to All the Families of the Earth COUNTRY

Sudan
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s
house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless
you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless
you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.”
GENESIS 12:1-3

God’s plan to bless all nations did not begin God promised to bless “all the families of
with the modern missions movement nor was the earth” through a man named Abraham
it a new strategy dreamed up by the early (originally Abram), and he would do this
church. From all eternity God planned to by making Abraham into a “great nation” POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
redeem a people for himself from among all (Genesis 12:2–3). This great nation, Israel,
the peoples of the earth, and we see that plan would be a conduit of worldwide blessing, 43,798,290 • Pray that violence perpetrated by the
being worked out from the earliest chapters for it was through Israel that Christ came. government would end and that God
of the Bible. He was the Jewish Messiah and the promised MAIN RELIGION would sustain the faith of Sudanese

God commanded man to be fruitful and

son from Abraham’s line (Matthew 1:1),
the one who would provide salvation for both Islam believers facing persecution.

multiply and to fill the earth with God’s Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 3:8–9). • Pray for churches in Sudan to reach out
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
righteous rule (Genesis 1:28). But as a result to refugees with the hope of the gospel.
of sin (Genesis 3), people came together to The blessing of Abraham continues to extend 162 • Pray that basic freedoms would be
make a name for themselves by building a to the nations today as the church carries
tower up into the heavens. God responded out Christ’s command to “make disciples UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: provided for all citizens and that enough
food would be available to sustain them.
by confusing their language and scattering
them across the earth (Genesis 11). Gratefully,
of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This means
that God’s blessing was never intended to 131
though, that wasn’t God’s final word to the center on us or stop with us. It was intended
various people groups of the earth. to spread through us. We are to be conduits Largest Unreached People Group:
of God’s blessing, proclaiming the gospel of Beja, Bedawi (2,271,000; 0% Evangelical)
Christ to all the families of the earth.
Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; there are high
levels of violence perpetrated by the
government.

Physical Needs:
There are high levels of refugees and
internally displaced persons; poor nutrition
causes high rates of underweight children.

12 To learn more about the needs of Sudan, go here. 13

 DAY 05

Replacing Prejudice with Mercy COUNTRY

North Korea
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the
disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

JONAH 3:10

The prophet Jonah initially refused God’s Like Jonah, we may be reluctant to take
command to go and warn Nineveh that the gospel to certain peoples and places,
God was going to punish them for their sin particularly those who are hostile to our
(Jonah 1:1–3). Like other Israelites, Jonah was message or to the safety of our own nation.
probably not very fond of this wicked and But hostile peoples also need to hear from
powerful city. However, before we become God. They need to know that they have
too critical of Jonah, we need to search our sinned against a God who is holy and just. POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
own hearts for prejudices, and even hatred, They need to know that there is a final
toward people groups that God loves. judgment coming. And they also need to 25,654,157 • Pray for the perseverance of persecuted
Gratefully, our lack of compassion is no know that God is “rich in mercy” Christians in labor camps and throughout
match for God’s mercy. (Ephesians 2:4). This is the same mercy that MAIN RELIGION the country. Ask God to uphold their faith

God overcame Jonah’s reluctance by

was needed to cover our sin. We should
therefore be eager to proclaim that for
Non-Religious and empower their witness.

sending a great storm and then a great fish everyone who turns from their sin and trusts • Pray that more opportunities would be
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
to swallow him. When Jonah finally went and in Christ, God will relent of his wrath and save available for gospel workers to enter the
proclaimed God’s message to Nineveh, the them from judgment. 5 country and make Christ known.
people believed God and a fast was called
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: • Pray for God to replace the unjust and
for the entire city (3:5). God saw Nineveh’s No one’s sin is greater than God’s mercy.
cruel government of North Korea for the
repentance and “relented of the disaster that
he had said he would do to them.” What a
Christ’s death is sufficient to cover the
Ninevites and every other people group on
2 sake of the gospel and for the good of all
citizens.
powerful picture of God’s mercy among a the planet.
people who warranted his wrath! Largest Unreached People Group:
Korean (25,208,000; 1.56% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
There are high levels of religious persecution;
individual rights and freedoms are heavily
impinged.

Physical Needs:
Poverty and a lack of employment are
massive problems; there are high levels of
violence perpetrated by the government.

14 To learn more about the needs of North Korea, go here. 15

 DAY 06

How Will They Hear? COUNTRY

Mali
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on
him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they
have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are
they to preach unless they are sent? . . .
ROMANS 10:13-15

If we work our way from the end of these Paul essentially asks, “How are these people
three verses back to the beginning, we get a going to hear and believe the gospel if
clear picture of how the gospel spreads: someone doesn’t go and preach to them?”

• The Lord sends people to proclaim the We need to ask that same question today, POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
gospel (v. 15a) particularly given how many people live and
• The gospel is proclaimed and people hear die without ever hearing the gospel. Based 20,156,232 • Pray that God would send, sustain,
it (v. 14b) on what Paul has taught earlier in Romans, and strengthen gospel workers in this
• The gospel is believed by some and they we know that those who die without hearing MAIN RELIGION difficult country.
call on the name of the Lord (v. 14a)
• The Lord saves all who call on his name
the gospel will spend an eternity paying the
penalty for their sin against God (Romans
Islam • Pray that God would open the hearts of
(v. 13) 1:18–32; 6:23). It should be intolerable to us many Muslims to follow Christ.
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
that there are so many in this condition. More
That’s God’s plan for getting the gospel to all than that, it should compel us to pray and 74 • Pray that God would mercifully provide
for the health of babies and for all citizens
people in the world. And while it sounds fairly to ask God what role we should play in the
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: whose life expectancy is low. Ask him to
simple, there are still over 3 billion people in spread of the gospel.
open the door for Christian organizations
the world who have not heard. Many of them
do not even know a Christian. That’s one of How will people believe if they have never
45 to care for vulnerable people.
the things that drove Paul to write the letter heard?
we know of as the book of Romans. He was Largest Unreached People Group:
encouraging the church at Rome to support Bambara (6,026,000; 1.1% Evangelical)
his efforts to take the gospel to those in Spain
who had never heard it (Romans 15:24). Gospel Barriers:
Difficult living conditions; low literacy level.

Physical Needs:
Infant mortality rates are high; life
expectancy, education, and purchasing
power are compromised.

16 To learn more about the needs of Mali, go here. 17

 DAY 07

Where Christ is Not Known COUNTRY

Somalia
. . . from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum, I have fulfilled the ministry of the
gospel of Christ. I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already
been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will
understand.”

This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since
I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many
years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my
journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
ROMANS 15:19-24 POPULATION PRAYER POINTS

15,768,471 • Pray that God would sustain the faith

of Somali believers and bless their
It’s astounding to hear the apostle Paul say There are many places in the world today MAIN RELIGION witness as they face immense pressure
that he was finished with his work in certain
regions. He is talking about the regions
where the gospel, by God’s grace, has been
proclaimed. People have become followers Islam and opposition for their faith. Ask him
to increase adult literacy so that more
where he had already proclaimed the gospel, of Jesus and they have gathered together in TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS: Somalis might be able to read God’s Word.
namely, “from Jerusalem all the way around to churches. Many places in North America are
Illyricum.” But what could Paul mean by that? like this, and there is certainly much work left 22 • Pray that God would overthrow the
Surely not everybody was a follower of Christ to do. At the same time, God calls out certain government’s attempts to perpetrate
in those regions? Did the church not need to people to take the gospel where it has not UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: violence against Christians and all citizens.
be strengthened? And were there no more
needs to be met?
yet gone. We often refer to such people as
missionaries. These are men and women who 20 • Pray that God would provide food and
cross cultures in order to proclaim the gospel opportunities for employment for the
There were, of course, many unmet needs. in a place or among a people where Christ is Largest Unreached People Group: Somali people.
Yet, Paul had proclaimed the gospel and not yet known. Somali (11,175,000; 0.01% Evangelical)
people had come to Christ and gathered
together into churches. So there were Our churches ought to pray regularly that Gospel Barriers:
churches in those regions that were making God would raise up missionaries among us. Religious freedom is low; individual rights
disciples and multiplying into other churches. If God does not lead us to go, then it is our and freedoms are heavily impinged.
Gospel work was happening. But that wasn’t role—and privilege—to pray for and support
the case in Spain. Paul wanted to go to Spain these men and women for the sake of Christ’s Physical Needs:
because people there had not yet heard the glory among all nations. Poverty and lack of employment
gospel and there were no churches making opportunities are massive problems; the
disciples. His “ambition” was to make Christ overall adult literacy rate is low.
known where Christ was not yet known.

18 To learn more about the needs of Somalia, go here. 19

 DAY 08

A Day of Reckoning for All Nations COUNTRY

Iran
For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to
you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
OBADIAH 1:15

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old The Lord will judge them in his holiness and
Testament, but its message has massive justice. That’s why the nations desperately
global implications. The prophet Obadiah tells need God’s mercy. That’s true for you and me
of a day, “the day of the LORD,” when “all the and for every people group on the planet.
nations” will give an account to God for what And it’s why the gospel is such good news.
they have done. This is a sobering reality as
we consider how many peoples and places John 3:16 tells us that God “so loved the
in the world today don’t have access to the world,” including all the peoples and nations PRAYER POINTS
POPULATION
only message that can save them from the of the world, that he “gave his only Son,
consequences of their sin. that whoever believes in him (in every 83,864,566 • Pray that many Iranians would see the
nation!) should not perish but have error of Islam and turn to Christ.
In Obadiah’s day, God announced his plans everlasting life.” That’s the message the MAIN RELIGION
to punish the Edomites because of how they
had treated Israel. Instead of assisting God’s
church has the privilege of proclaiming.
Islam • Pray that Christians who are persecuted
for their faith would be willing to suffer for
people when Babylon invaded, the Edomites Let this word of impending judgment from Christ’s sake.
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
apparently gloated over the demise of Israel the book of Obadiah be a reminder of why
and even helped capture those who were the church’s mission is so urgent. God’s 94 • Pray that the unity of the church would
stand in contrast to any discrimination that
fleeing. God warned the Edomites that they judgments throughout history point us to
would be held accountable and that their the final judgment at Christ’s return when all UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: certain ethnicities face in the country.
deeds would “return on [their] own head.” people will stand before him. May this reality
drive us to our knees. 84
The same thing will be true of nations today
who reject the one true God in order to Largest Unreached People Group:
worship idols and practice false religions. Persian (37,677,000; 1.9% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; freedom of
expression is limited.

Physical Needs:
Social divisions are creating disadvantages
for certain ethnicities; there is a lack of basic
sanitation services.

20 To learn more about the needs of Iran, go here. 21

 DAY 09

Praying for Laborers COUNTRY

Niger
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and
helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send
out laborers into his harvest.”
MATTHEW 9:36-38

Sometimes we get so focused on ourselves In certain places in the world, you can ask
that we become indifferent to spiritual needs people what they know about Jesus and
right around us. How much more is this the they’ll have no idea who you’re talking about.
case when it comes to peoples and places on You might as well be talking about someone
the other side of the world. Even when we are in a nearby village. Yet these are people that POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
concerned, we are often unsure about how to
respond.
Jesus has compassion for. He loves them and
desires their salvation. 24,128,102 • Pray for healthy churches to be planted
among the unreached people groups in
MAIN RELIGION the country.
As well as any other passage in Scripture, Second, notice what Jesus tells his disciples
today’s passage teaches us a right response to pray for. They are to ask the “Lord of the Islam • Pray for opportunities for Christians to help
to peoples and places that have little or no harvest” for “laborers” to be sent out into the
provide quality education as a ministry.
access to the gospel. Two things in particular harvest of lost souls. This should be part of TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
are worth noting. our prayer for every unreached people group
or place. We should ask the Lord to stir the 37 • Pray that Christian relief organizations and
others would be able to provide for the
First, as Jesus went about teaching, hearts of his people and send them to areas needs of many people in Niger.
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
preaching, and healing, he wasn’t indifferent of urgent spiritual need.
or frustrated at the crowds. No, he had
“compassion” on them because he saw them Eventually we want indigenous believers
29
as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without making disciples and multiplying churches,
a shepherd.” If compassion is the right but until then, we ought to pray that the Lord Largest Unreached People Group:
response to unbelievers who do have access would send workers from near and far to Hausa (11,377,000; 1.6% Evangelical)
to the gospel, then how could we not have make Christ known.
Gospel Barriers:
compassion on those who have never even
heard the name of Christ? Difficult living conditions; low literacy rate.

Physical Needs:
Life expectancy, education, and purchasing
power are compromised; there are high
levels of multifaceted poverty.

22 To learn more about the needs of Niger, go here. 23

 DAY 10

Anonymous Church Planters COUNTRY

Morocco
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except
Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch
spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with
them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
ACTS 11:19-21

The church at Antioch was one of the Another fascinating aspect of the church at
most influential churches in the history of Antioch is that we don’t know any names of
Christianity. This is the church that sent out the church planters. We’re simply told that
Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary “some of them” from Cyprus and Cyrene POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
journey (Acts 13:1–3), and eventually churches came “preaching the Lord Jesus.” As a
were planted all over the Roman Empire. result, a “great number” of people in Antioch 36,819,345 • Pray that the government would allow for
The circumstances of how the church at became Christians, but it wasn’t due to the greater freedoms for the sake of the spread
Antioch was planted remind us that God’s special qualities of these anonymous church MAIN RELIGION of the gospel. Ask God to give believers
designs for the spread of the gospel are often
very different from ours.
planters. It was because “the hand of the Lord
was with them.” Islam boldness as they face opposition for their
faith.
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
For starters, the church at Antioch began as a God is still using unknown, everyday people • Pray for healthy churches to be planted
result of persecution. When Stephen, to carry out his work in hard to reach 31 among the unreached people groups of
the first recorded Christian martyr, was places. We may never know their names or Morocco.
stoned (see Acts 7), believers were their stories this side of heaven, but they UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray that God would provide for physical
“scattered,” and they went out proclaiming
the gospel. This reminds us that the barrier
are testifying to Christ at the risk of their
reputations, their jobs, their families, and their 27 needs such as water for all citizens.
of persecution cannot stop God’s redemptive very lives. So let us pray that God would use
purposes. In fact, God often carries out his them (and us) much like he did the church Largest Unreached People Group:
purposes through persecution. Therefore, planters in Antioch. God has designed the Moroccan, Arabic-Speaking
even as we pray for God to bring relief to our gospel to spread through ordinary people. (23,940,000; 0.08% Evangelical)
persecuted brothers and sisters, we should
also ask him to use their trials for the spread Gospel Barriers:
of his gospel. Individual rights and freedoms are heavily
impinged; freedom of expression is limited.

Physical Needs:
Many people lack safe drinking water;
post-secondary education opportunities are
lacking.

24 To learn more about the needs of Morocco, go here. 25

 DAY 11

The Unreached Are Not Innocent COUNTRY

Iraq
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about
God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely,
his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation
of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although
they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile
in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became
fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and
birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18-23

POPULATION PRAYER POINTS

We should have compassion on all who are Instead of honoring and thanking God, 40,047,594 • Pray that churches would endure and
not followers of Christ, and that certainly people become “futile” in their thoughts continue to boldly proclaim Christ,
applies to the unreached. The fact that and exchange the glory of God for the glory MAIN RELIGION
regardless of the cost.
there are people who have no access to the
message of a Savior who came to redeem
of created things. This is as true for the
unreached as it is for anyone else, and it’s
Islam • Pray for peace in this war-torn country so
sinners and give them eternal life should why they stand under the “wrath of God.” TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
that the church might flourish and citizens
break our hearts. However, the fact that a might be protected.
person lacks gospel access does not mean The spiritual state of the unreached makes 35 • Pray for the removal of government leaders
that they stand innocent before God. A failure our mission all the more urgent and critical.
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: that carry out evil against the people of
to grasp this truth undercuts the urgency of The church is not merely offering charity to
Iraq.
our mission. needy people: we are proclaiming the only
message that God uses to rescue people from
25
The apostle Paul drives home the point hell. Eternity is at stake. Of course, it is God
in Romans 1–3 that, apart from Christ, all who saves, and he alone is sovereign over all Largest Unreached People Group:
people, without exception, stand guilty before peoples. But he has ordained for his people to Arab, Iraqi (16,045,000; 0.02% Evangelical)
God. This includes those who do not have be the means by which his gospel is spread.
access to the words that God has spoken. That means we have an important role to play. Gospel Barriers:
These people “suppress the truth” despite the There is a low level of state-wide peace;
fact that God makes his “invisible attributes” How does the spiritual state of the unreached geographical remoteness limits the flow of
known to all people through the things he affect the way you view the church’s mission? information.
has made. Every human being is therefore left How might it affect the way you pray?
“without excuse.” What about the sacrifices you are willing to Physical Needs:
make for the spread of the gospel? The government is unable to protect its
citizens; many lack safe drinking water.

26 To learn more about the needs of Iraq, go here. 27

 DAY 12

The Power of God for Salvation COUNTRY

Lebanon
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
ROMANS 1:16

The church is constantly tempted to tweak This is the message that our friends and
the message of the gospel or to rely on families need to hear, and it’s the message
something other than the gospel in order that the hardest to reach people groups need
to carry out its mission. When it comes to to hear.
reaching the unreached, the size of the task
can make us feel as if we need something Reaching the unreached will undoubtedly
in addition to the gospel. For those who are require strategizing, planning, and some
eager to see immediate, tangible results, creativity. But, gratefully, we don’t have to POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
taking the time to learn a foreign language in rely on our own power or wisdom, nor do we
order to communicate the gospel may seem have to come up with our own message. The 6,770, 941 • Pray that Lebanese churches would take
like too slow of a process. It can be tempting gospel is sufficient to save anyone. Just as advantage of their current freedoms and
to rely on techniques or our own strategies Paul wanted the church in Rome to know that MAIN RELIGION proclaim the gospel boldly.
rather than the message of Christ crucified.
Today’s verse helps us see these approaches
the gospel was sufficient for both Jews and
Gentiles, so we need to be reminded that the
Islam • Pray for peace in and around Lebanon for
for what they are—unbelief. gospel is sufficient for every people group the sake of the flourishing of the church
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
and every place. That’s why Paul wasn’t and the safety of the people.
The gospel is the “power of God for salvation.” ashamed of it. 26 • Pray that safe drinking water would be
Regardless of the difficulties and barriers made available for all citizens. Ask God
that we face, we can trust in God’s power Let the sufficiency of the gospel shape your UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
to use Christians to address this physical
as we proclaim the message of salvation.
Paul summarizes that message as the death,
prayers for the unreached. This is the only
message that saves.
8 need as a way to point unbelievers to
Christ.
burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Largest Unreached People Group:
Druze (299,000; 0.01% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Political turmoil and fighting in recent
decades has led to instability in the country;
lack of Scripture availability.

Physical Needs:
Many people lack safe drinking water; high
levels of refugees and internally displaced
peoples.

28 To learn more about the needs of Lebanon, go here. 29

 DAY 13

Beautiful Feet COUNTRY

Russia
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation,who
says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
ISAIAH 52:7

There are few sights more beautiful than the All they need to do is respond to the light
majestic peaks of the Himalayas. They rise they’ve been given, and God will in turn
thousands upon thousands of feet into the air. provide them with more light. But this is not
In fact, if you stood on the highest mountain how God has designed for people to come to
peak in the United States, you would still feel know him. There is a message that must be
as if you were looking up from the bottom of a proclaimed, and it’s a message of “peace,”
valley in the Himalayas. It’s a glorious picture the peace that comes with salvation. POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
of grandeur and wonder, and it proclaims the
glory of God (Romans 1:20). We have the privilege of bringing people the 144,616,325 • Pray that Christians and churches in Russia
greatest news in the world—that they can would be willing to take the gospel to the
However, as beautiful as the Himalayas are, be forgiven of all their sins and reconciled to MAIN RELIGION unreached people groups in the country.
you know what they don’t do? They don’t
proclaim the gospel. As much as those
a right relationship with God through Jesus
Christ! No other part of God’s creation can
Christian • Pray for the effectiveness of the church’s
mountains shout the greatness of God, do this. And though it is often a costly and witness despite government pressure.
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
they say nothing specific about Jesus, who difficult task, it is an unspeakable privilege Ask God to give his people boldness and
came to save us from our sins. That’s a to bear witness to such a great Savior. It’s 185 joy in sharing the gospel.
privilege reserved for you and me and all who little wonder, then, that Isaiah uses the word • Pray that many who feel suicidal or who
belong to Christ. “beautiful” to describe the feet of those who UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
live in despair would come to know the
Some Christians mistakenly think that people
bring this good news. 118 hope that only the gospel can provide.
can come to a saving knowledge of the truth
based on what they see in creation. Largest Unreached People Group:
Tatar (5,416,000; 0.49% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; people are being
denied equal protection under the law.

Physical Needs:
Suicide rates are high; many people lack
safe drinking water.

30 To learn more about the needs of Russia, go here. 31

 DAY 14

The Message We Proclaim COUNTRY

India
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to
them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the
dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to
all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
LUKE 24:44-47

Luke’s version of the Great Commission has a Second, our message calls for a response.
lot to teach us about the message Christ has According to Jesus, we are to proclaim
given us to proclaim. At least three things are “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
worth noting. Biblical repentance requires turning from your
sins and putting your trust in Christ. This is 1,373,941,161 • Pray for gospel workers inside and outside
First, our message centers on Jesus Christ what Jesus called for in his preaching the country to be sent to the massive
and what he has accomplished for our (Mark 1:15), and it’s the response his apostles MAIN RELIGION unreached people groups in India.
salvation. After making the astounding claim
that he was the fulfilment of the “Scriptures”
called for as they proclaimed the gospel
(Acts 2:38). So also today we urge people
Hinduism • Pray for an end to conflicts that make the
(a reference to the Old Testament), the risen to repent and believe in Christ so that they spread of the gospel more difficult and
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
Christ opened the minds of his disciples to might receive the “forgiveness of sins.” threaten the safety of Indian citizens.
understand what had been written about 2,717 • Pray for the provision of clean drinking
him. In particular, it had been foretold that he Third, our message has a worldwide scope.
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: water for all and adequate nutrition for
would “suffer and on the third day rise from Though the earthly ministry of Jesus was
children.
the dead.” The core of the gospel, then, is the
death and resurrection of Christ (see also 1
focused primarily on his fellow Jews in
Israel (with a few notable exceptions), he
2,445
Corinthians 15:3–5). Our proclamation is “in commanded his disciples to proclaim the
his name.” gospel to “all nations.” All the peoples of the Largest Unreached People Group:
earth needed to hear this good news. Shaikh (85,376,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
There are ongoing domestic and international
conflicts; very few gospel workers in
proportion to massive numbers of unreached.

Physical Needs:
Inadequate sanitation services leading to
high rates of death; poor nutrition leading
to high rates of underweight children.

32 To learn more about the needs of India, go here. 33

 DAY 15

Away with This Man from the Earth COUNTRY

Saudi Arabia
Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such
a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
ACTS 22:22

Just let this scene soak in. An angry mob had As soon as a North Korean believer says
just attacked the apostle Paul based on the anything about Jesus and the government
false charge that he had defiled the temple finds out, they are sent off to a labor camp
by bringing a Gentile into it (Acts 21:27–36). where they will likely languish until they die.
When some Roman soldiers prevented the In Somalia, an individual may be persecuted
mob from killing Paul, he asked for their or killed by his own family for professing
permission to address the people. The Christ. And the list goes on and on. This is
POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
crowd got quiet and listened as Paul testified where we need to be reminded of Christ’s
about how Jesus had changed his life. But words to his disciples in Mark 13:13: “And 34,736,522 • Pray that followers of Christ would endure
everything changed when Paul came to the you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. in faith and hope as they face pressure and
part of his story where Jesus called him to But the one who endures to the end will be MAIN RELIGION opposition from the government.
make the gospel known among all the nations
of the earth, i.e., the Gentiles.
saved.”
Islam • Pray that many Muslims in Saudi Arabia
Let us pray, then, for our persecuted brothers would come to know the truth about Jesus
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
At this point the crowd shouted, “Away with and sisters who are right now identifying Christ and place their faith in Him.
such a fellow from the earth! For he should
not be allowed to live.” In other words, “Kill
with Christ at the cost of their lives. May God
provide for, protect, strengthen, uphold, and
44 • Pray that unjust leaders would be removed
him!” embolden them. And as we pray for their UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: and that citizens would be free from
government oppression and violence.
It’s difficult for many of us to imagine this
boldness and continual dependence on
Christ, let us also pray that we will be bold in 28
kind of response. However, we have brothers sharing the gospel, regardless of the cost.
and sisters in Christ who are even now facing Largest Unreached People Group:
something similar. Their governments, their Arab, Saudi - Najdi
communities, or even their own families, (13,821,000; 0.12% Evangelical)
are saying, “Away with these people—they
shouldn’t be allowed to live!” Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; people are heavily
monitored by the government.

Physical Needs:
There are high levels of violence perpetrated
by the government; there is insufficient water
availability.

34 To learn more about the needs of Saudi Arabia, go here. 35

 DAY 16

The Language Barrier COUNTRY

Nepal
Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand
one another’s speech.
GENESIS 11:7

Genesis 11 tells the story of man’s The gospel still needs to be proclaimed
disobedience to God’s original command and translated into thousands of different
to multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). languages. Sadly, many unreached people
Instead of spreading God’s glory, mankind groups lack a full (or, in some cases, partial)
decided to stay in one place and build a tower translation of the Bible into their language.
up to heaven. He wanted to make a name for Even if they did respond in faith to a gospel
himself rather than glorify God’s name. It was presentation, they wouldn’t be able to
the epitome of sinful pride. experience the growth that comes from POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
regularly reading God’s Word.
In today’s verse we read about the Lord’s 29,014,678 • Pray that many gospel workers would
response: he confused man’s language and We ought to pray that the Bible would be be sent to the remote villages of the
thus scattered various people over the face of translated into every known language. MAIN RELIGION Himalayas. Ask God to strengthen their
the earth. The inability to communicate made
it difficult for people to form relationships
This requires people who are willing to learn
the language of an unreached people group
Buddhism hope and resolve in this difficult part of
the world.
with one another, effectively separating and then do the difficult work of translating TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
and dividing them. The world is still divided the Bible into that new language. While this • Pray that God would bless the witness
today—over 17,000 people groups have been kind of work is time-consuming and often 285 of indigenous believers in Nepal and
identified—and language continues to be one receives little recognition, it is worth it if strengthen their churches.
of the primary reasons. others have the ability to hear from God in the UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray that God would provide food and
If we are going to see all nations, or people
pages of Scripture.
275 clean water for all citizens. Ask him to
open doors for Christians and churches
groups, reached with the gospel, then
there’s a language barrier that will have to be Largest Unreached People Group: to address these needs for the sake of the
overcome. gospel.
Chhetri (4,191,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Geographical isolation; extremely difficult
living conditions.

Physical Needs:
Poor nutrition causes high rates of
underweight children; many people lack
safe drinking water.

36 To learn more about the needs of Nepal, go here. 37

 DAY 17

Unquenchable Fire, Urgent Message COUNTRY

Egypt
His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into
his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
LUKE 3:17

Many Jews wondered whether John the Scripture frequently uses the image of fire
Baptist was the promised Messiah, but John to talk about hell (Matthew 3:10; 5:22; 13:40;
kept denying it. He put the spotlight squarely 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–48), causing some people
on Jesus, and in the process, John gave us a to wonder whether hell involves literal fire.
sobering and unforgettable image of the One Even if, as some people claim, Jesus is using
who stands in judgment of all men. fire as a symbol, that doesn’t make this truth
less sobering. “Unquenchable fire” is clearly
POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
In today’s passage Jesus is described as not a symbol for a nice summer vacation.
having a “winnowing fork,” a tool used to
separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat,
Symbolic language often uses words to
point us to realities that can’t adequately be
102,255,565 • Pray for faithful pastors to be raised up and
for churches to be planted among some of
representing those who belong to Christ, captured with words. Hell is unquestionably a MAIN RELIGION the hardest to reach people groups.
would be gathered into the barn, while the
chaff, representing those who reject Christ,
horrifying place.
Islam • Pray for the endurance of followers of
would be burned with “unquenchable fire.” The reality of God’s wrath in hell is Christ as they face opposition for
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
The implication is clear: everyone’s eternity particularly sobering when we consider their faith.
hangs on his or her response to Jesus. how many people in the world do not have
access to the only message by which they
42 • Pray for God to open up opportunities for
Those who trust in Jesus are welcomed into can be saved. This should add urgency to our UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: churches and Christian organizations to
meet physical needs in Egypt.
his Father’s house for eternity. As a gift of
grace, they have eternal life, the forgiveness
missions efforts and fervency to our prayers.
We should long and live for all peoples to 25
of sins, reconciliation with God, and adoption know the Savior who “delivers us from the
into his family. On the other hand, those who wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Largest Unreached People Group:
fail to trust in Jesus as their Savior will be
Algerian, Arabic-Speaking
burned with “unquenchable fire,” a reference (1,840,000; 0.01% Evangelical)
to their eternal destination in hell.
Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; high levels of
violence perpetrated by the government.

Physical Needs:
Lack of basic sanitation services; high rates
of prescription opioid abuse.

38 To learn more about the needs of Egypt, go here. 39

 DAY 18

Their Minds Have Been Blinded COUNTRY

Uzbekistan
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them
from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what
we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for
Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4-6

Why don’t people see the beauty and glory of Just as God spoke in the very beginning and
Christ in the gospel? Because the “god of this light shone out of darkness (Genesis 1:3), so
world,” which is how the apostle Paul refers he shines in our hearts to give “the light of POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
to Satan in today’s passage, has blinded the the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
minds of unbelievers. Knowing this truth of Jesus Christ.” This spiritual sight-giving 33,383,632 • Pray for Uzbeks to see the glory of Christ in
should give us compassion for those who are work is something only God can do. So where the gospel. Ask God to bless the witness of
now living in spiritual darkness. It should also do we fit in this cosmic battle? MAIN RELIGION churches in the country.
affect the way we pray for the advance of the
gospel among all nations. According to today’s passage, our role is Islam • Pray that believers would be bold and wise
to “proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord,” which is in light of pressures from the government
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
When we pray for unreached people groups, what we do when we proclaim the gospel. and others who are hostile to Christ.
we should pray knowing that Satan is Therefore, let’s not ignore the battle by 59 • Pray for God to provide for the needs of
blinding their minds. Even when they do refusing to say anything about who Jesus is
come in contact with the gospel, they won’t and what he has done to save people from UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: the poor of Uzbekistan. Ask him to use this
physical provision to open doors for the
believe unless God intervenes through the
power of his Spirit. This reminds us that the
their sins and give them eternal life with God.
Satan would love that. Instead, let’s open our 34 spread of the gospel.
church’s mission involves a spiritual battle, mouths to speak, and as we do, let’s pray that
and the stakes are eternal. God would open the hearts of unbelievers Largest Unreached People Group:
among all nations to see the glory of Christ. Uzbek, Northern
Gratefully, God is able to overcome the (27,199,000; 0.01% Evangelical)
blinding work of Satan.
Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; people are heavily
monitored by the government.

Physical Needs:
A high percentage of the population lives
in poverty; post-secondary education
opportunities are lacking.

40 To learn more about the needs of Uzbekistan, go here. 41

 DAY 19

Weeping Over the Lost COUNTRY

Indonesia
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it . . .
LUKE 19:41

Jerusalem was full of people who had Am I more concerned with comfort and
rejected Jesus and who would, in a short safety than with the eternal good of people
time, call for him to be killed in the most groups who reject the gospel? If we’re
cruel way imaginable—the cross. So why honest, these questions can be convicting.
would Jesus weep over this city? We’re all tempted to focus on our own
comfort and prioritize our own interests.
Jesus longed for Jerusalem to know his That’s why we need God to continually work
Father’s love, which is why he was going to in our hearts so that his glory becomes the
the cross in the first place. He cared deeply motivation for all that we do. Only then will
for them, and so their rejection caused him we long for others to glorify God, including POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
great sorrow. Christ’s profound compassion
should not only shape the way we think
those who are hostile to Christ and his
church.
272,174,368 • Pray that many in this heavily Muslim
about our unbelieving neighbors but also the
country would see the emptiness of Islam
MAIN RELIGION and embrace their need for the gospel.
nations that are far from us. Start by asking Let us plead, then, for God to give us the
yourself some questions . . . compassion of Christ for the lost. As those Islam • Pray for gospel workers to be sent and
who have received the riches of God’s mercy for churches to be planted among people
When was the last time I wept over someone in Jesus, we ought to be eager to make that TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
groups that are currently unreached.
who wasn’t a Christian? Or, to take it a step
further, when was the last time I wept over
mercy known, even to those who seem most
resistant.
789 • Pray for the provision of sufficient nutrition
an enemy? Are there peoples and places UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: for children and all citizens of Indonesia.
around the world that I am less motivated to
pray for because they pose a security threat 236
to the church or to my own country?
Largest Unreached People Group:
Sunda (37,942,000; 0.05% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; currently very few
gospel workers.

Physical Needs:
Death rates are high due to disease; poor
nutrition causes high rates of underweight
children.

42 To learn more about the needs of Indonesia, go here. 43

 DAY 20

The Fields are White for Harvest COUNTRY

Myanmar
Do you not say, “There are yet four months, then comes the harvest”? Look, I tell you, lift up
your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
JOHN 4:35

These words from Jesus to his disciples come They didn’t realize that his “food” was to
just after he had spoken with a Samaritan accomplish the mission his Father had given
woman who had five ex-husbands and was him (v. 34). And they couldn’t see that, in light
now living with a man who was not her of Christ’s coming, the fields were already
husband. Knowing the depth of this woman’s “white for harvest” (v. 35). God was gathering
sin—even before she admitted it!—Jesus sat a people for himself, and this people wouldn’t
there by a well and offered her living water be limited to ethnic Jews. Even Samaritans
that would quench her thirst forever were now coming to see Jesus (v. 30), and POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
(vv. 14–18). some would soon believe in him (vv. 39–42).
54,310,634 • Pray that churches and Christians in
Christ’s interaction with this woman was Today God is continuing to gather a people Myanmar would have an effective gospel
remarkable not only because men did not for himself from among all nations. The fields MAIN RELIGION witness despite the lack of religious
typically initiate such conversations with
women at this time but also because this
are still “white for harvest.” But is this how
we see the world? Are our churches eager to
Buddhism freedom.

woman was a Samaritan, a people that Jews see the gospel proclaimed among all nations, • Pray that Christians, churches, and
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
wanted nothing to do with. Yet Jesus took even among those who, culturally speaking, organizations would minister to the
the initiative to address her greatest need. would be considered our “enemies”? 149 spiritual and physical needs of refugees
and displaced persons.
The woman responded by running back into May God be pleased to open the eyes of UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray that the government of Myanmar
town and urging the people to come see
Jesus for themselves (v. 29). The disciples,
many in our day to see a harvest of souls
among the nations.
53 would rule for the good of all citizens,
providing them with equal protection
on the other hand, had merely brought Jesus
Largest Unreached People Group: under the law.
food to eat.
(Burmese, 31,156,000; 0.08% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; individual rights
and freedoms are heavily impinged.

Physical Needs:
Lack of basic sanitation services; high levels
of refugees and internally displaced persons.

44 To learn more about the needs of Myanmar, go here. 45

 DAY 21

God Sovereignly Moves the Peoples COUNTRY

Syria
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth,
having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they
should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

ACTS 17:26-27

In his address to the people of Athens, There is a sovereign God who desires all
the apostle Paul gives us an incredible people groups to know him, and sometimes
description of the sovereignty of God over he brings these people groups right to our
all the people groups in the world. doorstep. Whether it’s international students,
God made “every nation” from one man, families fleeing violence in their home
Adam, which means all people groups are country, or simply individuals looking to make POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
part of the same race, the human race.
We have different ethnicities, languages,
a better living, the “nations” are right around
many of us. 17,382,318 • Pray that violence in this country would
and cultural backgrounds, but all people cease for the safety of all citizens and for
MAIN RELIGION the sake of the spread of the gospel.
groups are made by God. And God has So let’s take advantage of these sovereignly-
even determined the “allotted periods” and orchestrated opportunities to make disciples Islam • Pray for the safety of refugees and that
“boundaries” of where they live. of all nations right where we live. This means
God would bring them in contact with
being alert to those of different ethnicities TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
the gospel.
Consider what this means for today’s refugee
crisis and the unprecedented movements of
in our communities and being intentional
about sharing the gospel with them. Oh, that 38 • Pray that the government would respect
peoples across the globe. Even in a world God would be pleased to save them and human rights and that evil leaders would
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
tainted by sin, where a variety of sinful factors perhaps even use some of them to take the be removed.
cause the displacement of peoples, God is
ultimately sovereign. And he is able to use all
gospel back to their own people group! The
movements of the peoples might be one way
19
these things to draw people to himself. that God provides unprecedented gospel
Largest Unreached People Group:
access in our day.
When you look at the world through this lens, Kurd, Kurmanji (1,418,000; 0.06% Evangelical)
you realize that the movements of peoples is
Gospel Barriers:
not an accident.
Ongoing domestic and international conflicts;
human rights are not protected and the rule
of law not enforced.

Physical Needs:
People face high risks of genocide, mass
killing, or violent repression due to ethnic
tension; high levels of refugees and internally
displaced peoples.
46 To learn more about the needs of Syria, go here. 47
 DAY 22

Zealous for His Name to Be Known COUNTRY

Laos
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be
proclaimed in all the earth.
EXODUS 9:16

Here we get a glimpse into the heart and However, today’s verse reminds us that God
purpose of why God raised up Pharaoh, an is working all things to accomplish his global
evil ruler who enslaved God’s people in Egypt. purposes. Even a ruler like Pharaoh served to
Pharaoh didn’t know or fear God, but he was put God’s power on display as God redeemed
used to proclaim God’s name in all the earth. his people from slavery in Egypt. That
redemption was a picture of a much greater
This may sound strange to us if we’re rescue that God accomplished through the
accustomed to thinking of God’s purposes for life, death, and resurrection of his Son. PRAYER POINTS
POPULATION
the nations only in terms of specific programs
in the church. We might assume missions In light of God’s power and his purposes, 7,236,315 • Pray that God would open the hearts of the
has nothing to do with us. However, God we can be confident regardless of our people of Laos to see that the gospel is a
orchestrates all of history to make his name circumstances and despite Satan’s attempts MAIN RELIGION better response to sin and suffering than
and his glory known among all nations.
This is why he raises up one ruler and puts
to keep the gospel from going forward. God
is more zealous than we are that his name Buddhism Buddhism.
down another. And it’s why Christ taught us would be known in all the earth. So let us • Pray that the government would respect
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be pray with confidence. the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
your name. Your kingdom come, your will be 127 Ask him to protect and preserve the
done, on earth as it is in heaven” churches in Laos.
(Matthew 6:10). UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray that children would be treated with
When we consider realities like the number of 106 care and that physical needs, like clean
unreached people groups (over 7,000) or the drinking water, would be available to all
widespread persecution of Christians in the Largest Unreached People Group: citizens.
world, it’s easy for us to feel overwhelmed or Lao (3,398,000; 2% Evangelical)
even hopeless.
Gospel Barriers:
Individual rights and freedoms are heavily
impinged; there are high levels of violence
perpetrated by the government.

Physical Needs:
Child labor rates are high; many people lack
safe drinking water.

48 To learn more about the needs of Laos, go here. 49

 DAY 23

The Obedience of the Peoples COUNTRY

Turkey
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

GENESIS 49:10

Before his death, Jacob, the grandson of This is what gives us confidence as we seek
Abraham, gathered his twelve sons to to make disciples among all the people
bless them and to let them know what their groups of the world.
respective futures would hold. When he came
to Judah, he made an astounding promise: If we’re honest, proclaiming the gospel to
Judah would have a continuing royal line and certain people groups can seem daunting.
“tribute” would come to him. But this would They are not only different from us culturally POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
not be the ordinary tribute paid to kings. and far from us geographically, but they are
often resistant to our message. We may even 84,248,750 • Pray that God would open the hearts of
A king from Judah’s line would receive “the lose our lives trying to reach them. many Muslims in Turkey to receive the
obedience of the peoples.” The “peoples” here MAIN RELIGION gospel. Ask him to give them the strength
refers to people groups, or nations, spread
across the world. Seeing this promise fulfilled
However, God’s promise in today’s passage
should give us confidence. Regardless of the
Islam to withstand opposition for the sake of
Christ.
takes us from the first book in the Bible to the barriers that stand in the way, we can rest TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
last. In Revelation 5:5, the risen and exalted assured that they will be overcome. We can • Pray for churches to minister to those who
Christ is called the “the Lion from the tribe pray—and give and go!—knowing that the 68 are discriminated against or neglected due
of Judah.” Fittingly, he receives worship from King from Judah’s line will receive the worship to their ethnicity or social status.
all the peoples of the earth because he has he is due. God’s promise will be fulfilled. UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray for an end to the government’s
ransomed them by his own blood
(Revelation 5:9–10).
The obedience of the peoples belongs to
Christ.
45 violent actions toward citizens. Ask God to
appoint leaders who will act for the good
Largest Unreached People Group: of the people.
Turk (59,258,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
High levels of violence perpetrated by the
government; individual rights and freedoms
are heavily impinged.

Physical Needs:
Social divisions are creating disadvantages
for certain ethnicities; high levels of refugees
and internally displaced peoples.

50 To learn more about the needs of Turkey, go here. 51

 DAY 24

The Worst Kind of Famine COUNTRY

Japan
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“When I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.” AMOS 8:11-12

Israel had mistreated and oppressed the poor Imagine living in this world of evil and POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
and needy in the days of the prophet Amos, wickedness and injustice without any word
and in response the Lord announced that from God. Imagine not knowing who God is, 126,344,157 • Pray for God to open the hearts of the
he would punish them by sending a famine. how to get to know him, or what hope he has Japanese people to the gospel. Ask him
But this was not the kind of famine that we provided for us in the gospel. MAIN RELIGION to overcome the various factors that have
typically think of—it was worse. Israel would
be without the word of the Lord. This is similar to the situation the unreached
Buddhism made it extremely difficult for the gospel to
take root in this country.
find themselves in today. Although many of TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
As painful as it is to have no food or water, these people groups have urgent physical • Pray that God would open doors for gospel
to not hear from the Lord is even more needs, sometimes due to a physical famine, 36 workers and gospel resources to be sent to
devastating. It’s the ultimate picture of food and water are not their greatest need. areas that have been inaccessible in
judgment because it cuts us off from any They have little or no access to the gospel, UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: the past.
opportunity of redemption. Most of us can’t
even imagine being in this condition.
which means they have no hope of coming to
a saving knowledge of God.
23 • Pray that those who are suicidal or in
despair would see that their only hope is
We have the privilege of reading God’s Word Oh, how crucial it is that God’s Word be Largest Unreached People Group: Christ.
whenever we want, and we have God’s Spirit translated into more and more languages Japanese (120,880,000; 0.3% Evangelical)
living within us and illuminating his truth for so that the good news of Jesus Christ might
us. What a gift to know God through the be available to areas of the world that are Gospel Barriers:
66 books of the Old and New Testaments! currently spiritual deserts. Let us pray that Many people live in rugged or inaccessible
their famines would, by the grace of God, areas; extreme weather conditions create
As sinners deserving of God’s wrath, and as become feasts. harsh living environments.
those who are born spiritually blind, we would
be totally in the dark and completely hopeless Physical Needs:
apart from God’s Word. Suicide rates are high; many people lack safe
drinking water.

52 To learn more about the needs of Japan, go here. 53

 DAY 25

The Least of These COUNTRY

Bosnia & Herzegovina

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these
my brothers, you did it to me.”
MATTHEW 25:40

In this passage Jesus is speaking about Notice how closely Christ identifies with his
the day when he returns in glory with the people. When you serve “the least of these
angels to judge all people. The nations will my brothers,” Christ says, you are actually
be gathered before him, and he will separate serving him. What a powerful exhortation
people like a “shepherd separates sheep for us to love, care for, provide for, and even
from the goats” (v. 32). What’s fascinating, lay down our lives for one another! This
and perhaps surprising to some followers of begins right where we are, but, as always, it
Christ, is the basis on which people will shouldn’t stop there. We have brothers and PRAYER POINTS
POPULATION
be judged. sisters in Christ around the world who face
severe suffering and persecution, and we 3,222,420 • Pray for gospel workers to be sent and
Jesus will judge people based on how should seek to do what we can to meet their churches to be planted among the Bosniak
they treated his disciples who were needy, needs. MAIN RELIGION people group.
distressed, and imprisoned. To those who
provided food, water, and clothing, who The question each of us needs to ask is, Islam • Pray that followers of Christ would remain
welcomed strangers, who cared for the sick “What does this mean right now for my life faithful to the gospel and that they would
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
and imprisoned, they will hear the following and for my church?” We need to pray that proclaim it to those who have never heard.
words: “Come, you who are blessed by my God would give us hearts that are willing to 15 • Pray for the provision of drinking water and
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you serve and to sacrifice for the sake of fellow
from the foundation of the world” (v. 34). believers who are in need. To serve them is UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: employment for those in need.

Those who show mercy and compassion to

to serve Jesus himself.
3
fellow Christians in their suffering will receive
unending mercy and compassion from God in Largest Unreached People Group:
his eternal kingdom. On the other hand, those Bosniak (1,650,000; 0.03% Evangelical)
who ignore or refuse to serve their needy
brothers and sisters will face God’s “eternal Gospel Barriers:
fire” (v. 41). Their true spiritual standing and Productivity and safety is challenged due
allegiance will have been exposed. to poor road conditions; very few known
followers of Christ in the largest people
group (Bosniak).

Physical Needs:
Many people lack safe drinking water;
unemployment rates are high.

54 To learn more about the needs of Bosnia & Herzegovina, go here. 55

 DAY 26

Loving the Unreached as Ourselves COUNTRY

South Sudan
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and
the Prophets.
MATTHEW 7:12

Living according to this familiar verse, Perhaps they would be willing to risk
commonly referred to as the Golden Rule, imprisonment, or even their own lives, so
can change our lives and the lives of those that you could hear about how to be saved.
around us. What would it look like to love With eternity at stake, wouldn’t you want
your spouse, your children, your parents, someone to be willing to do that for you?
your co-workers, your neighbors, and even
your enemies, in this way? What about your It’s almost certain that you wouldn’t want
friends who are not Christians? Christians and churches to sit back and do PRAYER POINTS
POPULATION
nothing, never even thinking about you,
Or, to push this even further, what would praying for you, giving of their resources for 11,153,014 • Pray that healthy churches would be
it look like for you to love unreached you, or being willing to take a risk on your planted and that the gospel would be
people groups with this kind of selfless behalf. In other words, you wouldn’t want MAIN RELIGION proclaimed clearly in South Sudan.
and compassionate love? If, for instance,
you had never heard the good news of the
them doing what so many who have the
gospel are currently doing—ignoring you. Christianity • Pray that God would bring political stability
gospel—which means you would be on a for the sake of the spread of the gospel
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
road that leads to an eternal hell—and it was No, you’d want them to pray, give, and go and for the safety and security of all
illegal in your country for people to share this on your behalf. You’d want them to call out 78 citizens.
message, what would you want a follower of to God and be willing to make some kind of
Christ to do for you? sacrifice for you. That’s at least part of what UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: • Pray that God in his mercy would provide
for the physical needs of all citizens in
I’m guessing you would at least want
it would look like to love the unreached as
yourself. 7 South Sudan. Ask him to send gospel
them to call out to God on your behalf. workers to display the compassion of
And surely you’d want them to make some Largest Unreached People Group: Christ in areas that are particularly needy.
kind of financial sacrifice in order to send Arab, Sudanese (383,000; 0.04% Evangelical)
missionaries to you.
Gospel Barriers:
The safety and security of citizens is in
jeopardy; freedom of expression is limited.

Physical Needs:
Maternal mortality rates are high; there is
limited access to quality education.

56 To learn more about the needs of South Sudan, go here. 57

 DAY 27

For Your Sake He Became Poor COUNTRY

Pakistan
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake
he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
2 CORINTHIANS 8:9

Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to give Better yet, how can we refuse to provide for
generously and sacrificially for the support the needs of fellow Christians across the
of the church in Jerusalem. The church in world who live in poverty and struggle to find
Jerusalem was materially needy, probably due enough food and drink? We certainly can’t
in part to a famine that had affected the city. meet every need, but we ought to do what
That’s why Paul was taking up an offering we can.
among many different churches to help them.
POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
To motivate this giving, Paul points to the Lest we think that Paul is simply trying to
selfless sacrifice that Christ made on behalf
of his people.
raise money by putting the Corinthians on a
guilt trip, he urges them in the next chapter
219,925,225 • Pray that gospel workers from inside and
outside Pakistan would be sent to the
to give “not reluctantly or under compulsion” MAIN RELIGION many unreached people groups.
Though Christ was “rich,” he freely “became
poor” on our behalf. Paul fleshes out what
but rather willingly, for “God loves a cheerful
giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God wants us to Islam • Pray that Christians and other citizens
this means in Philippians 2:5–11. Though give out of the overflow of our hearts. It’s not would have the freedom to evangelize and
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
Christ was fully God, he was willing to guilt that compels us. It’s grace. live in accordance with what they believe.
“empty” himself by coming in the flesh and
taking the form of a “servant.” He was even Let us, therefore, give generously so that
512 • Pray that safe drinking water and quality
willing to die on the cross on behalf of those believers might be strengthened and the UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: education would be provided for all
Pakistani people.
who deserve God’s wrath (Philippians 2:5–11). gospel might be proclaimed. And let us do
it all out of gratitude to God. 504
With this kind of example, how could the
Corinthians refuse to give of their resources Largest Unreached People Group:
for the sake of brothers and sisters in Christ?
Jat (Muslim Traditions)
(32,940,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Religious freedom is low; high levels of
violence perpetrated by the government.

Physical Needs:
There is limited access to quality education;
many people lack safe drinking water.

58 To learn more about the needs of Pakistan, go here. 59

 DAY 28

A Light for the Nations COUNTRY

Thailand
It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. ISAIAH 49:6

As you read through the Old Testament, He would send his “servant” not only to
it’s clear that God had a special affection for restore Israel but also to be a “light for the
Israel. They were his covenant people, nations.” We know from the rest of Isaiah,
the nation that he had redeemed from slavery and from the New Testament, that this
in Egypt to be his treasured possession out servant is none other than Jesus Christ POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
of all the peoples of the earth. However, this (see Isaiah 42:6; 52:13–53:12; Mark 10:45).
does not mean that Israel was God’s only Through him sins are atoned for, and by the 67,740,528 • Pray that many Thai people would see the
concern. power of his Spirit the message of salvation is emptiness of Buddhism and instead repent
proclaimed to all nations. MAIN RELIGION and believe in Jesus.
God’s relationship with Israel was intended to
bear witness to a watching world. The nations Today’s verse reminds us of how lavish God
Buddhism • Pray that God would remove unjust leaders
were supposed to see God’s character and is with his salvation. It’s not enough for his and overturn unjust laws in Thailand. Ask
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
redeeming power on display (Deuteronomy grace and love to be made known to only one him to bring about peace for the sake of all
4:6–8). Though Israel often failed to be a people group or place. May this serve as a 113 citizens and for the good of the church.
faithful witness due to sin and disobedience, reminder, and even a rebuke, in light of our
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: • Pray that the church would minister to
God was not finished with them or with the small and insufficient views of the scope of
those who are in prison and to those who
nations. He is not stingy with his grace. God’s redeeming purposes. His salvation in
Jesus Christ reaches “the end of the earth”
78 are suicidal. Ask God to use believers to
Isaiah 49:6 says that it is “too light a thing” (Isaiah 49:6). bear witness to the hope of the gospel.
for God’s salvation to be confined to Israel. Largest Unreached People Group:
Thai (21,256,000; 0.27% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Freedom of expression is limited; individual
rights and freedoms are heavily impinged.

Physical Needs:
There is a high rate of imprisonment; suicide
rates are high.

60 To learn more about the needs of Thailand, go here. 61

 DAY 29

Meeting Urgent Need COUNTRY

Bhutan
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent
need, and not be unfruitful.
TITUS 3:14

This is the final exhortation in the book of There are people in many parts of the world
Titus. Paul is telling Titus, a leader in the who don’t have clean drinking water, which,
church, to help people devote themselves among other problems, can lead to diseases
to “good works” in order to “help cases of and epidemics. There are also places where
urgent need.” This speaks to the effect that people are starving. This is not the kind of
the gospel should have on our lives and in “starving” we talk about after missing a meal.
our churches. God’s grace not only saves us; Literally, there are people who are starving to
it transforms us into the kind of people that death. There are millions of orphans without
POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
seek to meet urgent need. families. There are people who are enslaved

Ask yourself: where is there urgent need

and who are being abused and mistreated.
These too are urgent needs.
768,521 • Pray for boldness among believers in
Bhutan as they face opposition and
around you? In your family? In your church? MAIN RELIGION discrimination for their faith.
In your community? Those are good places
to start. But then broaden your perspective:
It’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about
urgent needs around the world, and while Buddhism • Pray that believers would have easier
where is there urgent need in the world? we shouldn’t live with constant guilt for the access to Bhutan and that God would
TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
blessings we have, there’s a sense in which open the hearts of many people in Bhutan
Right now there are people dying and
headed to an eternity separated from God,
we should be burdened and driven to devote
ourselves to good works on behalf of those in
76 to repent of their sins and believe
the gospel.
and they’ve never even heard about the need. We ought to pray that God would use UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
• Pray that God would provide the people
gospel. That’s the most urgent need, and
addressing it ought to be our top priority.
us and our churches for the good of others
and ultimately for his glory. 73 of Bhutan with enough food and water.
However, as we seek to address people’s Ask him to use the humanitarian efforts of
most urgent need, we will quickly realize that Largest Unreached People Group: believers to point people to the gospel.
they have other needs as well. Drukpa
(216,000; 0% Evangelical)

Gospel Barriers:
Many people live in rugged or inaccessible
areas; restrictions on religious freedom.

Physical Needs:
Many women receive no schooling; poor
nutrition leads to stunted growth in children.

62 To learn more about the needs of Bhutan, go here. 63

 DAY 30

Every Tribe, Language, People, and Nation COUNTRY

Libya
Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation …
REVELATION 5:9

The scene described in today’s verse is why Even as we labor and sacrifice for the spread
we’ve been praying for unreached people of the gospel, we can rest assured that our
groups in some of the hardest to reach places efforts are not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
in the world. It’s also why we can be confident
as we seek to make disciples of all of them. Hopefully, these thirty days of prayer have POPULATION PRAYER POINTS
This is where all of history is headed. helped highlight for you the global scope of
God’s redemptive purposes. Let this spur 6,821,482 • Pray for followers of Christ to count it
Jesus died to ransom men and women from you on to continue looking for this theme worthy to suffer for Christ rather than
MAIN RELIGION deny him.
“every tribe and language and people and in Scripture, but don’t let it stop there. Ask
nation,” and it’s for this reason that he is yourself some questions: Islam • Pray for peace and stability in the country
worshipped in John’s heavenly vision. So we
for the sake of the spread of the gospel
know reaching all peoples is God’s desire • How will I continue to pray regularly TOTAL PEOPLE GROUPS:
and for the good of all citizens.
… but is this our desire? Is this what we
as individuals and churches are working
for the spread of the gospel among the
unreached? 44 • Pray that religious persecution would end
toward? Is this why we give? Is this why we • What resources, gifts, training, or and that the government enact fair and
UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
go? And does it concern us that so little of our opportunities do I have that can be used to just laws.
efforts and resources are currently aimed at
peoples and places where Christ is
meet urgent spiritual and physical needs 31
for the glory of God among all nations?
not known?
• Might God be leading me to go? Largest Unreached People Group:
Despite the current state of the Great Arab, Libyean (1,590,000) (0.04% Evangelical)
Imbalance (for an explanation of the Great Regardless of the plan God has for you and
your church, take comfort in the fact that Gospel Barriers:
Imbalance, see the Getting Started section
at the beginning of this guide), Revelation his purposes will be fulfilled: “For the earth There are high levels of religious persecution;
5:9 reminds us that God will accomplish his will be filled with the knowledge of the glory individual rights and freedoms are heavily
global purposes and Christ will receive the of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” impinged.
glory he is due. (Habakkuk 2:14).
Physical Needs:
The safety and security of citizens is in
jeopardy; insufficient water availability.

64 To learn more about the needs of Libya, go here. 65

 Missions Data Making Christ known
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