Ephesians 6:18-20 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Andrew Murray – “Without prayer, even though there may be increased interest in missions, more work for them, better success in organization and greater finances, the real growth of the spiritual life and of the love of Christ in the people may be very small.”
Dick Eastman – “In no other way can the believer become as fully involved with God’s work, especially the work of world evangelism, as in intercessory prayer.”
We fight a strong enemy. Violence continues to plague our cities. No amount of support, staff, or creative ideas will change the hearts of people in the city. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ will change the city. The Lord has set up prayer as one of the primary ways to release his power and resources and to overcome the strongman. Prayer is at the very heart of the work of missions – they have always been fueled by the prayers of the saints.
We would like to extend a continued invitation to pray and make a powerful IMPACT for the kingdom of God in our cities. So using this acronym we would like to invite you pray to make an IMPACT. Not everyone has a call to be in direct ministry and working in the city. But your prayers are absolutely essential for the work of God to go forth. So we deeply value and are frankly in desperate need of your partnership in prayer.
I: Inmates
- Pray for all of the inmates that are taking TUMI classes and training to be pastors and leaders. There are 1,319 TUMI students who are currently incarcerated. Pray that salvation and revival comes to our prisons.
M: Missionaries and staff
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Pray that in all their various roles they would clearly reflect the glory of God and that they would proclaim the gospel boldly. Pray for their emotional and physical health as they work long hours and endure the stresses that come from life in the city and full-time ministry.
P: Partnerships
- We praise God for the many amazing partners that the Lord has given our ministry. Pray that we could continue to find many new partners in new cities and those willing to invest financially.
A: Associates and indigenous leaders
- Pray for all the leaders that we are connected with from the city. Pray for their ministries, churches and church plants that many would come to know Jesus.
C: Children
- Pray for the children in the city that endure so much. Pray for the children in our Christian schools and camps that the Lord would protect them and they would be powerful witnesses of the gospel.
T: Training
- Pray for TUMI as they have more than 2,500 urban leaders taking classes worldwide who are being trained to be pastors and leaders. Pray for all of our Siafu Conferences as these men and women are trained and equipped to be empowered leaders in their communities.
Matthew Penner is World Impact's Prayer Director. Read more from Matthew.