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By Dave Imboden
Years ago, I began to regularly pray a simple but powerful prayer I learned while reading David Bryant's classic book, In the Gap. In it, David encouraged readers to not only pray for their loved ones and friends to get saved, but to pray that they would also become a blessing to the nations. So, taking David seriously, I not only began praying this way for those on my prayer list, I also included myself!
Did it make a difference?
Since that prayer became a part of my life twenty-five years ago, there's been solid evidence that many of the people I've prayed for have become a blessing to the nations. Additionally, God has opened countless opportunities to be a blessing—both personally and through the people I've been privileged to share mission vision with—many of which have gone on to become senders, welcomers, goers, mission mobilizers and networkers.
Does this kind of prayer work for cities?
A favorite personal experience in praying for cities goes back to the early 90's. While working at the US Center for World Mission, I noticed that the state of Michigan had been without a Perspectives class for over five years. As Extended Ministry Correspondence director, I encouraged the staff to pray for key cities within their various assigned states. Soon I noticed one particular staff member had circled the major cities of Michigan for prayer and within a year most of these same cities were holding Perspectives classes!
So, what about you?
Prayer First offers plenty of daily prayer topics for mission mobilization and networking, but if you just want to get your feet wet, daily one-minute praying is a great place to start. That's why we've included a first level of prayer. Just a minute each day, praying the same strategic prayer. And while you're asking God to bless the nations through the churches, campus fellowships and ministries of your city, don't forget to pray that He would do the same through you!
To see Go Connect's One-Minute Prayer Strategy link, click here.
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