Praying for His Kingdom

Posted by: Patrick Nugent, Business Development Associate | Monday, January 27th, 2025 (12:00am)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Your kingdom come on Earth as it is in heaven…  

We say these words every time we say the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew chapter 6. But how often are we praying for the rest of the world? When Jesus instructs us to pray that God's Kingdom would come on Earth, I think he is telling us that part of our prayers need to be that all would come to know him. Whether it be friends, family, neighbors who aren’t following him, or people we’ll never meet, we should pray they come to Him too.  

If you’re like me, your prayers are typically centered around your family, friends, church, and community without giving much thought or time to the rest of the world. While we should absolutely pray for these things, Paul encourages us to expand our prayers even beyond the immediate people we know. In 1 Timothy 2:1 he states, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”  

It wasn’t long ago that I learned about the 10-40 Window. This is the area between 10 degrees north latitude to 40 degrees north latitude, which includes North Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Asia; some of the places where they don’t know the LORD. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam are largely in control throughout most of this area. These places are openly hostile toward Christianity, and many of these areas are torn apart by war and tribal factions battling for control. Since these regions aren’t terribly relevant to our everyday life, it’s easy to forget they even exist. Yet, they need our prayers now more than ever.  

The 10-40 Window isn’t the only place that needs our prayers, however. The nations where Jesus IS known need our prayers too. Wealth, comfort, and prosperity have led so many away from Christ that they fail to see a need for him. I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 19:10, “For the son of man came to seek and save the lost.”  Jesus says this after his encounter with Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector in Jericho. Zacchaeus probably never imagined how his wealth and comfort had caused him to ignore God and those in need around him. After he meets Jesus he vows to give half of his wealth to the poor and to repay anyone he wronged. Before Jesus, Zacchaeus was lost.  

“I once was lost but now am found.” Famous words from perhaps the most famous hymn of all time. Words that are true of me; I came to faith five years ago as a selfish, egotistical, and prideful man. Money and status mattered so much to me. I was constantly seeking a larger paycheck, the latest tech, and a newer, flashier car. Back then I couldn’t see how the Kingdom of God could be anything but a trick peddled by religious leaders to swindle people out of their hard earned money.  

Then God opened my eyes, and I saw the Kingdom in a new light. One of the men who started walking with me when I came to Jesus invited me to serve. He explained that one of the best ways to combat the pride I was carrying was to serve others. And as I served others, I began to see how the body of Christ, His church, came around its people. How Jesus’ church supported them in their time of need, wept with them when they wept, encouraged them when they were down, and moved them toward being the version of themselves God intended. My eyes were opened, my heart was softened, and I knew I had to be part of it all.  

Pray for the lost, that their hearts would be softened to recognize their need of a savior.    

Pray thanks for the good work God is doing in the hearts of his children.  

Our prayers are a tool in God's hand to use as He brings His will upon the Earth. And, as Christian song artist Matthew West says, “Don’t stop praying.”    

The day I gave my public testimony before my baptism, my brother Ben texted me and said, “I’ve been praying for this moment for 25 years.”  

He had come to Jesus before me, and prayed during that entire time that our Lord would find me. The world needs our prayers to be found. Our brothers and sisters on mission in other countries need our prayers. The people who don’t yet know Jesus need our prayers, so they too can be saved. Join us in praying; Lord your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.  