by Carla Williams
So, you’re praying that the Gospel will reach into every tongue, tribe, and nation? Yay! Good job! Maybe you’d like to take some inspiration from these Old Testament prayers that reveal God’s heart through His people. Here are 3 prayers that you can use as you pray for God to be glorified throughout the world!
Solomon’s Temple Dedication Prayer (2 Chronicles 6:12-42)
Solomon prayed for the foreigner who seeks God.
God had promised David that his son, Solomon, would be the one to provide a dwelling for God’s spirit. After years of building, Solomon finally revealed the temple he’d built, and he marked the occasion with one of the most eloquent prayers recorded in Scripture. In his prayer, he identifies many situations God’s people might find themselves in when they turn to Him. Solomon’s basic prayer is “When this happens, and they turn to You, answer them.”
The whole prayer could be used in the context of those who are seeking God, but one line is especially applicable:
As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you,as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.
Daniel’s Prayer of Confession (Daniel 9:1-19)
While living among those outside of God’s grace, Daniel acknowledged his own sin first.
Daniel was a man of God living among those who neither knew nor feared God. Though he didn’t chose his situation, he found himself in the position of light among a nation of darkness. It would have been easy for him to feel superior to those around him, but instead, he approached God with humility and confession. This is a prayer of shame – and hope!
As we pray for God’s redemption among the nations, let’s remember to acknowledge that, were it not for God’s abundant grace, we would just as easily be destitute and savage.
We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
David’s Psalm of Gathering (Psalm 103)
David praised God for being available for all who seek Him.
Though many of David’s psalms mention God ruling over all nations, his priority is often the elevation of Israel. In this psalm, though, he draws attention to God’s availability to all who seek Him.
This is a great psalm to pray for the seekers around the world who are certain there is Truth and sure their worldviews are not enough.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
What other biblical prayers inspire your own prayers? We’d love to know your favorite missional prayers in the comments. You can also find more prayer resources on our website.
