4 Things to Pray for Unreached People Groups

Perhaps you’re in the habit of praying for unreached people groups (UPG’s) but have begun to find your prayers narrow and repetitive as time goes on. Or perhaps you just don’t know how to get started. Every UPG has its own unique combination of culture, dynamics, faith and context, but here are four ways we can pray for them.

Pray that barriers would be removed

To many people in UPG’s, there are huge barriers to bring down before the gospel will receive a hearing, or be received in the heart. Devotion to other gods often involves a message of merit and reward, preventing people from accepting ideas such as forgiveness and grace through Christ. We can pray that their eyes would be opened, enabling them to turn from darkness to light. We can pray that they would cast aside the lies of Satan for the truth of God and receive the forgiveness of sins at the cross (cf. Acts 26:18).

We can also pray that cultural barriers would not prevent people from following Christ. Among many UPG’s, to become a Christian is to abandon tradition and to dishonour others. It may cost you your family or even your life. Pray that individuals might truly see Jesus as a treasure of great worth, and for leaders of communities and families to trust in the Lord and lead others to Him. 

Pray for workers

Practically speaking, UPG’s need people and resources from the outside to help the gospel to spread among them. Often, the most effective method is for a ‘near–neighbour’ Christian to take on this task – somebody from a nearby location and similar culture who can understand the norms and language of the people.

We can also pray for more cross–cultural workers to serve among UPG’s. Pray for greater awareness of UPG’s in the church, for churches to be eager to send their best people, and for faithful workers to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet named (Rom. 15:20).

Pray for understanding

God’s Word is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Ask God to hasten Bible translation work for those languages in which it is not complete. Pray that the Word of God might be distributed where it is unavailable, whether through funding of Bible printing, relaxation of religious restrictions, or efforts to carry God’s Word across borders.

Pray that the living Word will be ‘sounded out’ (1 Thess. 1:8) and have free course (2 Thess. 3:1) to achieve God’s good purposes! 

Pray for indigenous churches

Pray that as the gospel is made known, many would believe. Pray that God would raise up leaders among first–generation believers who will faithfully and wisely shepherd indigenous churches even while young in their faith.

Pray that new believers would be discipled to count the cost and seek to grow in Christ. Lift up those who would be tempted to compromise between the way of Christ and any ungodly aspects of their own culture – that God would strengthen them to live for Him.

Finally…

Why not download the PrayerMate app or subscribe to AsiaLink emails below to hear about our work among UPG’s in Asia? 

BACK TO BLOG