October 01, 1985 by

"Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession." Psalm 2:8

Two hundred and fifty three times the plural word nations' is mentioned in the Scriptures. This word could be rendered as ethnos" or ethnic groupings. The idea that is being conveyed here is that there are also nations within nations people groupings that make up a nation.

In this 1986 Prayer Diary, we introduce you to the concept of unreached people groups within nations. If we are to discover the keys to unlock closed doors to these final 16,750 unreached groups totaling over two billion of our earth's population, we must begin to pray. This is essential!

Praying for a nation and for an unreached people group is no small order. Maybe you have not even considered the possibility of praying for anyone or anything beyond your own circle of friends and family. It is possible! In fact, it is a command from the Lord. God asks us to do the possible and He will take care of what we see as impossible.

The Old Testament abounds with examples where the course of an entire nation was changed as the result of intercession. Consider Nehemiah, serving in exile as cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes. He received the report that the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down and the Jewish remnant there was in great trouble; there was no apparent hope for the Jews.

But Nehemiah, of Jewish nationality, interceded on behalf of his people: 'When I heard these things, I sat down and wept  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: 'O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who  preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His command ments, let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer of Thy servant ..." (Neh. 1:4 6). Nehemiah continued in confession and repentance.

As a result, the king granted Nehemiah permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. Amidst intense opposition from surrounding enemies, the task was completed, providing protection for Jerusalem against attack. The exiled Israelites were able to return to Jerusalem and the nation was spared from destruction.

Two biblical admonitions can assist us as starting points in praying for a nation: "First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority.

(1 Tim. 2:I'Z). Also, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest" (Math 9:37 38).

In addition, for every society, there are basically seven areas which shape the thinking of individuals, and subsequently a nation. These "mind molders" have tremendous influence over the direction of a nation. Fervent intercession is needed for godly change in these areas:

• Home and Family
• Church
• Education
• Arts and Entertainment
• Media
• Government
• Business and Commerce

What can we do? We can pray regularly ... and pray believing!