WAPAC NMI

August Thoughts on Prayer

By Pastor Doug Moe, Prayer Coordinator

Prayer is the first of NMI’s five areas of emphasis—and for good reason. When we gather in prayer for missions, whether in our local church or in our homes, we are linking arms with brothers and sisters in Christ all around the globe.

Sometimes we may feel like we have little to offer the work of missions. But the truth is, prayer is powerful and effective, and it is something every one of us can do. You don’t need special training or a passport — just a willing heart. Every prayer, whether whispered alone or spoken in a group, joins with countless others to surround our missionaries, our churches, and those who have yet to hear the gospel. Prayer is not a “small” contribution to missions—it is often the very thing that opens doors, strengthens workers, and prepares hearts to receive Christ.

Here are four ways we can pray for missions:

• For the lost: Pray for those who have not yet heard the name of Jesus—that their hearts may be open to the gospel.
• For the messengers: Pray for people to rise up and share the good news with boldness.
• For the missionaries: Pray for those already serving in mission fields—that they may be protected, strengthened, and encouraged.
• For believers everywhere: Pray for the strengthening of the Church—that our faith may grow deep and our witness shine bright.

One way to focus our prayers is by lifting up specific countries and ministries. For example, in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), the Church of the Nazarene has been present since 1910 and is now the third largest denomination in the nation. Yet the people there face many challenges, and the Church continues to serve faithfully in the midst of them.

How we can pray for Eswatini:

• Pray for the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Eswatini, through local congregations, South Africa Nazarene University, and ministries like Haven of Hope.
• Pray for those who suffer from human trafficking, the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis, and the stigma that robs people of dignity.
• Pray that God would raise up strong, faithful leaders to carry the work forward.

Your prayers matter. They make a difference in the lives of missionaries, in the hearts of the lost, and in the mission of the Church. Let’s keep prayer at the center, believing that God will do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Global Week of Prayer

March 1-7, 2026

From the beginning, Nazarene Missions International (NMI) has been praying for the work of the global church. As a global denomination that ministers in 165 world areas, we strive to be connected and lift each other up in prayer.

This desire is not unique to the Church of the Nazarene. A heart for missions and the work of God’s kingdom here on earth has always been the heartbeat of the church. Beginning in 1887, there was a call to prayer for missions that bloomed into the World Day of Prayer. This movement is global and stretches across denominations. The World Day of Prayer falls on the first Friday of March every year.

In 1996, Nazarene Missions International joined this movement by observing a week of prayer focused on joining together as Nazarenes all around the world to lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer. We are also joining with our brothers and sisters outside of the Church of the Nazarene by observing our week of prayer the same week as the World Day of Prayer.

In 2026, the Global Week of Prayer is March 1-7.On the NMI Global Week of Prayer website, you can find both adult and children’s booklets to help people of all ages come together in prayer.

Everyone Can Do This

Many times people feel that they have nothing to offer missions. The reality is that every believer can contribute to missions in a significant way through prayer. James 5:16 tells us that the “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” God is listening!

We are to pray for those who have not yet heard about Jesus. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone… This is right and acceptable before God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1,3-4)

We are to pray for people to share the good news. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

We are to pray for people who are working for the Lord, asking for their protection. “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). You can view our missionary profiles with prayer requests.

We are to pray for the strengthening of believers. “To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Specific Prayers for Missionaries

Pray for boldness in sharing the Gospel, new ministries, and times when fear may come. Pray for the people they are ministering to that their hearts would be open. Pray for their education, as many are learning new languages, customs of the place they are serving, and building sustainability. Pray for their families, both immediate family and those they are far away from. Pray for their personal needs, physical and mental strength, strong relationships, time with family, effective use of time, and opportunities to relax. Pray for the virtues of perseverance, strength, wisdom, and peace. Pray for their protection. Pray for intimacy with Jesus.

How Can Your Church Participate In Prayer?

Remember our missionaries (LINKS and otherwise) throughout the year in prayer. Many are often facing troubled times in the places in which they serve. They seek to be peacemakers and agents of transformation. They need your support through intercession. >>View all of our missionary profile pages and their prayer requests

Another idea is to use the weekly NMI resource that is emailed out on Wednesdays. Each week, NMI Central features a different country, region or theme. This resource also includes prayer requests. It is a great touch point for your church and another way to bring the church together in prayer.

Ideas for Praying for Missions

Post missions-related prayer requests on the fridge, by the stove or on a bathroom mirror to draw them to mind regularly.

Draw an outline of a hand on a notebook and write missions-related prayer requests for each day.

Pray with a Sunday School class or small group for specific mission requests.

Ask your pastor to include a weekly missions-focused prayer request in the bulletin.

One Sunday a month, take a few minutes during the worship service to pray for your Links families. This will help the full church learn their names and be aware of their prayer needs.

NMI Prayer Facts

• We encourage people to pray for all missions efforts of the Church of the Nazarene.
• Each week, NMI Central shares prayer requests and praises for a country where the Lord is working through the Church of the Nazarene. www.nazarene.org/nmi-central
• Since 1996, during the week that includes the first Friday in March, NMI has called the church to prayer through the Global Week of Prayer, with resources for adults and children in multiple languages. www.nazarene.org/NMIGWP