Prayer is a gift, but it often doesn't feel like one. Prayer feels like work or an obligation. It’s boring. We get distracted. Yet we’ve been told to pray without ceasing. God told me once, years ago, “If you knew how strong I am, all you’d do is pray.”
Think about this. Right now, our lives are hidden in Christ at the right hand of God’s throne. Christ is the ultimate High Priest, the intercessor for all believers. Christ is also in us. The High Priest is within our hearts, interceding through us from the Son to the Father through the Spirit.
God simply asks us to step into our calling and pray. We pray to ask God to intervene to do the impossible, things we are unable to do, which is pretty much everything. We pray for the minutiae of our lives as individuals and for big things, like the world or even countries and nations within our world. He cares for it all. This Lent, as we humble ourselves through fasting and seek to be generous to others, let’s come before the God who loves the world so much he gave his Son. And before him, let’s pray for nations.
Here are seven countries to pray for this Lenten season as you prepare your heart for Easter.
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1. Your Home Country
Scripture encourages us to pray for our country and its leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul instructs,
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
We should pray for those in positions of authority, as their decisions significantly impact the welfare of the nation. Also, Jeremiah 29:7 exhorts believers to seek the welfare of their city or country and to pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare, they will find their welfare. This verse connects our individual well-being with the prosperity and peace of the nation as a whole.
Prayer is essential, especially during times of crisis, uncertainty, and division. Whether it be political unrest, social injustice, economic challenges, or natural disasters, we are called to lift up our country in prayer, trusting in God's sovereignty and his ability to bring about healing and restoration.
We should pray for our home country and the problems it faces, recognizing the significance of seeking God’s intervention and guidance in times of need, even if leaders and others reject God and the truth. We continue to love all people and seek their good. Through prayer, we can contribute to the well-being and flourishing of the nation, aligning our hearts with God’s purposes and trusting in his sovereign plan for our country’s future.
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2. Israel
We have a responsibility to pray for Israel, recognizing its unique significance in God’s plan and the challenges it faces. Scripture teaches the importance of praying for the peace and well-being of Israel, as well as the need for believers to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people.
In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This highlights the special relationship between God and the nation of Israel, emphasizing the importance of blessing and praying for Israel. Psalm 122:6 (NIV) instructs us to
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.’”
Jerusalem is the capital of God’s chosen people but also serves as a symbol of eternal heaven and God’s presence on the earth. In the New Testament, Romans 10:1 expresses the Apostle Paul’s earnest desire for the salvation of his fellow Israelites, stating, “Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Paul sought the salvation of the Jews and their repentance to Jesus, as all people, Jew and Gentile, require trust in the person of Christ for deliverance and salvation.
Through prayer, we can demonstrate our love and support for the nation of Israel and its people, aligning our hearts with God’s purposes and seeking His blessing and protection upon the land, especially during this current time of war with Hamas and Gaza.
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3. Gaza
Christians are called to pray for the Gaza Strip, recognizing the suffering and challenges faced by its inhabitants and the transformative power of prayer in bringing about change and reconciliation. Despite the complex political and humanitarian issues in the region, prayer remains a vital means of expressing compassion, seeking peace, and interceding for all those affected by the conflict.
Scripture emphasizes the importance of praying for enemies and those who persecute us. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus instructs his followers, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This command challenges us to extend love and grace even to those who may oppose or mistreat us, recognizing the potential for transformation through prayer. Just as Saul (Paul) killed Christians but was able to be redeemed, so can the leaders and people of Hamas.
Praying for the Gaza Strip also aligns with the biblical mandate to seek justice and mercy for the oppressed and marginalized. Many citizens of Gaza have suffered at the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, as well as damage to homes and lives from the war with Israel. Our hearts go out. Isaiah 1:17 urges believers to “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” This verse emphasizes the importance of advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized, including those living in conflict zones such as the Gaza Strip.
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4. Ukraine
We should fervently pray for Ukraine, acknowledging the ongoing conflict with Russia and the profound impact it has on the nation and its people. Prayer serves as a powerful means of seeking God’s intervention, comfort, and guidance amidst the turmoil and suffering experienced by Ukrainians.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has its roots in the country’s history, including the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ukraine declared its independence, but tensions persisted, particularly over Crimea, an autonomous region with a significant Russian population. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, sparking a conflict that has since escalated into ongoing military aggression in Eastern Ukraine, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing millions of people. Russia has recently invaded Ukraine, and this war has taken thousands of lives, destroyed property, and spread chaos in the region.
We should particularly pray for other believers in Ukraine, people spreading compassion and the Gospel through their efforts to feed, clothe, and help the people there. Also, many refugees have moved into eastern and central Europe over the past two years—the refugees and the people assisting them need our prayers.
Psalm 46:1-3 assures us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” We can pray this verse over the country and the people suffering through war.
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5. Russia
Just as we pray for Gaza and Hamas, since they are people made in God’s image and he desires to bring them to repentance through his love, we should pray for the nation and leaders of Russia. Despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the adversarial actions of Russia, we are called to pray for all nations and people involved, including those who may be perceived as enemies.
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus instructs his followers, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” By praying for our enemies, we demonstrate Christ-like love and extend God's grace even to those who may oppose us.
In praying for Russia amidst the conflict in Ukraine, we intercede for its leaders and people, asking for wisdom, compassion, and a desire for peace to prevail. We pray for a change of heart among those involved in making decisions that perpetuate violence and suffering, asking God to guide them towards paths of reconciliation and understanding.
By praying for both Russia and Ukraine, we fulfill our call to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation in the world. We trust in the power of prayer to bring about transformation and healing, even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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6. Nigeria
The Bible instructs us to pray for other believers under persecution, and Nigeria faces several challenges in this regard, including religious persecution and violence perpetrated against Christians by extremist groups, particularly from some factions of the Muslim community. Prayer serves as a powerful means for believers to seek God's intervention, protection, and peace amidst the turmoil experienced by Nigerians.
Nigeria has a long history of religious tensions, with instances of Christian persecution by Muslim extremists dating back decades. Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, has been responsible for numerous attacks on Christian communities, targeting churches, schools, and villages, resulting in loss of life, displacement, and untold suffering for countless families. Since the turn of the century, more than 62,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed through persecution.
Hebrews 13:3 says, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” This verse tells us to put ourselves in their place and join the suffering of persecuted Christians through prayer. Remember, Jesus told us we would face persecution but overcome through his victory (John 16:33), like he suffered persecution. We are also connected to our brothers and sisters in Nigeria through the one Spirit indwelling us all.
Let us earnestly pray for Nigeria, its people, and the challenges facing the nation, recognizing the importance of prayer in seeking justice, protection, and healing amidst religious persecution and violence.
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7. North Korea
North Korea has been one of the most oppressive nations in the world for decades, and as such, we should pray for that nation, recognizing the severe challenges faced by its people, including religious persecution and human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime.
North Korea has a long history of religious persecution, particularly targeting Christians. Under the regime of Kim Jong-un, the practice of any religion other than the state-sanctioned worship of the ruling Kim family is strictly prohibited. Christians in North Korea face imprisonment, torture, and even execution for their faith, with estimates suggesting that tens of thousands are imprisoned in labor camps due to their religious beliefs.
Along with our discussion above about praying in solidarity with Nigerian believers, we should remember to pray for church leaders seeking to shepherd people and even spread the Gospel under severe hardship. The church in North Korea is hidden and secret. Any believers caught are placed in prison or executed.
The apostle Paul was a leader put in prison for the Gospel, and he writes in Ephesians 6:18-19: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
Through prayer, we can express solidarity with persecuted Christians in North Korea and seek God’s intervention in their time of need.
God loves all people and seeks to communicate his love through truth and compassion. Compassion speaks loudly in a broken and corrupt world. As his children, Christians are uniquely empowered to be God's hands and feet in this world. Because of the Spirit inside of us, we can bring hope and peace in a way no one else can.
This Lenten season, let’s pray for our own country, Israel, nations at war, and nations persecuting the people of God in various ways. Let’s pray especially for the believers in those countries: for their comfort and strength to live boldly and wisely and to bring transformation in their contexts.
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Originally published Monday, 11 March 2024.