21 Days of Prayer: Day 18

As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Praying God’s Agenda prayer guide. In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2020 in prayer together.

Call upon the One who said, “Make disciples of all nations.”

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Notice

This is often called the Great Commission, and it is packed with meaning. The risen Christ first establishes his authority — he has every right to commission his disciples this way. Then he commissions his disciples to make disciples by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. That’s the verb, or command, in the Commission. Making disciples involves going to all nations (ethne, or people groups), baptizing them when they begin to follow Jesus and teaching them the agenda of King Jesus (all he has commanded). The Commission ends with a fabulous promise: I will always be with you as you fulfill this Commission I have given you.

Think about it

The Great Commission initiated by Jesus Christ himself is still in effect. We have this same calling, to take the good news of Jesus Christ to all the ethnic and language “peoples” of our planet. It’s a full-orbed vision involving going and sending, telling, baptizing (immersing in water new converts to Christ as a public profession of their new faith) and teaching the King’s Agenda. Making disciples is our highest and grandest calling as the church. It fuels our passion as a movement to plant healthy, vibrant, reproducing churches in every people group on earth. Are you personally “on board” with this Commission? Are you doing your part?

Before you pray

We recommend “adopting” an unreached people group for your ongoing intercession. Do you know of one, through your church perhaps? If you don’t, ask a pastor or missions leader at your church and commit to regular prayer for that unique people group.

Calling upon God for help in reaching all the peoples of the earth

“What a grand vision you have, heavenly Father, for filling the earth with worshipers from every language and ethnic group. No people are left out; none is excluded. I commit myself to being part of your Great Commission force, Lord, for the fulfilling of the King’s Agenda to make disciples. Help me to live ‘on mission’ and to either go or send others. Bless my church’s efforts to fulfill our fair share of this Commission. In particular, I pray for the __________ people, that a church would be planted among them and many among them would embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, amen.”