WAPAC NMI

April 2026 Prayer Devotional

We live in a time when the distance between “here” and “there” is quietly disappearing. The conflicts we read about, the places we once thought of as far away `regions, persecuted churches, displaced families—are no longer just headlines from another part of the world. They are stories carried by people now living in our communities, sitting in our schools, working alongside us, and sometimes even worshiping beside us.

At the same time, conversations around immigration and national boundaries have become increasingly complex, and often deeply personal. People hold strong convictions, shaped by experience, concern, and a desire for what is right. As the Church, we may not all see every issue the same way. But wherever we may stand on those questions, one thing remains clear: there are people in our communities—men, women, and children—who are hurting, displaced, and in need of compassion, care, and prayer.

For years, the Church has faithfully prayed for missionaries serving in dangerous places, and for believers enduring hardship under the weight of conflict. And we should continue to pray that way. But the moment we are living in is inviting us into something more. God, in His providence, is not only sending His people to the nations—He is also bringing the nations to us.

So how do we pray in a world like this? How do we intercede faithfully for those facing danger abroad, while also recognizing the needs of those now living among us?

Perhaps our prayers need to grow—not just in urgency, but in vision.

We may never walk into a conflict zone, and we may never fully understand the weight carried by those who live and serve there. But we can pray—and we can choose how we see the people God places in front of us.

In a time when it is easy to form opinions from a distance, the Church is called – not to withdraw – but to remain open-hearted and attentive to the needs around us. We are still called to love our neighbor, to show compassion to the hurting, and to lift up in prayer all those whose lives have been shaped by loss, displacement, and uncertainty.

Let us be faithful in intercession—for the missionary serving in uncertainty, for the believer standing firm in hardship, and for the neighbor whose journey has brought them to our doorstep.

Areas of Prayer:

• Pray for families affected by war and conflict, that in the middle of crisis they would come to know the love and compassion of Jesus.
• Pray that God would continue to call missionaries, pastors, and faithful lay people to missions and ministry.
• Pray for those who serve in our regional offices in all six world areas, supporting the work of the Church of the Nazarene.

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