7 Days of Prayer: Sunday, 17 August 2025

By Justin Long

Did someone send this to you? Sign up to get it each Sunday.
Please help us grow prayer—forward it to friends with your endorsement.

Join us in beseeching (δέομαι) the Lord of the Harvest this week for…

17th. Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis—Israel has announced plans to govern Gaza “until Hamas is eliminated.” Yet on the ground, months of urban warfare continue. Guerrilla resistance remains, civilians endure blockade and bombardment, and humanitarian supplies reach people only in trickles. Families are displaced, hostages remain in captivity, and disease spreads through crowded shelters. Pray for:
“the hearts of kings to turn” (Prov. 21:1), that negotiations peace would succeed.
believers to “shine like lights” (Phil. 2:15) through acts of mercy and reconciliation.
looters to be restrained, and for aid to “be distributed…as any had need” (Acts 4:35)
the hostages to be released and for “justice and peace to kiss” (Ps. 85:10) in this land.

18th. Lebanon & Syria’s Fragile Peace—Lebanon reels from economic collapse and mass emigration, while efforts continue to disarm Hezbollah without igniting civil conflict. In Syria, revenge killings persist despite calls for restraint, and militias tied to the government are accused of atrocities. Many Christians feel unprotected and are considering departure, while others labor to reconcile and rebuild. Pray for:
violence to cease, that “violence shall no more be heard in your land” (Isa. 60:18).
Lebanon’s leaders to act with “the wisdom that comes from above” (James 3:17).
the Gospel to spread in Syria, and for many to be united with each other in the “bonds of fellowship” by first coming to follow the Prince of Peace.
Syrian believers to model reconciliation, that “the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).
for displaced, fearful Christians to hear, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

19th. Iran’s Crises and the Thirst for God — Iran reels under multiple pressures: crackdowns on dissent, economic hardship, and now an acute water crisis threatening its capital. Reservoirs run dry, taps sputter, and families wait for trucks to bring bottles of water. Yet even in this instability, the church in Iran has shown remarkable resilience, continuing to grow despite persecution. Pray for:
living water to flow in dry places, that “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3).
boldness among believers, that “the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess. 3:1).
cracks in the system to become openings for the Gospel, that “what has been intended for evil, God may use for good” (Gen. 50:20).
protection and courage for those imprisoned for their faith, remembering “those who are in prison, as though in prison with them” (Heb. 13:3).

20th. Pilgrimages and the Search for God — Across the world, millions take part in pilgrimages—journeys of devotion that reveal a deep spiritual hunger, even if sometimes clouded by ritual or superstition. In Senegal, tens of thousands walk each year to Touba, seeking blessing and forgiveness. Pilgrimages in India, Mecca, Lourdes, and elsewhere tell the same story: people are still searching for cleansing, healing, and hope. In the materially rich but spiritually weary West, hunger often hides behind loneliness, anxiety, or quiet desperation. Pray:
for pilgrims in Senegal to encounter the true Living God, that they may find “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
that seekers bound in ritual may discover “the truth that sets free” (John 8:32).
for workers able to recognize and engage spiritual hunger with compassion, “sniffing out” need and offering Christ.
for revival among those numbed by material sufficiency, that “their soul may thirst for the living God” (Ps. 42:2).
that the global church would be attentive both to the visible signs of religious devotion and the invisible cries of hidden desperation.

21st. Saudi Arabia and New Openings — Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into tourism, seeking to diversify its oil-dependent economy. Resorts on the Red Sea, historic sites in Al-Ula, and the Hajj all bring streams of visitors. With these come opportunities for encounter, as workers from across the world enter the kingdom, and Saudis themselves interact more openly with outsiders than ever before. Behind the modernization and display of wealth, spiritual hunger still lies deep. Pray:
for tourists and workers in Saudi Arabia to carry the fragrance of Christ, “spreading the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere” (2 Cor. 2:14).
for Saudis hosting guests to be drawn to true hospitality, like Abraham who “welcomed strangers and entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2).
for the gospel to take root in Saudi hearts, that they may become “pilgrims seeking a better country” (Heb. 11:16).
that in the midst of national change, seekers would encounter the unchanging Christ, “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

22nd. The Grieving in War and Violence — From Gaza to Sudan, from Syria to the Sahel, violence has left behind mass graves, burned villages, and cities in ruin. Families mourn in crowded shelters, or wander as displaced people across borders. Believers in Mozambique endure persecution, while Christians in Lebanon fear for their future. To grieve in such places is to carry wounds the world rarely notices. Yet God hears every cry and calls His people to bear one another’s burdens. Pray:
for grieving families in Gaza and Syria to be comforted by “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3–4).
that in Sudan and the Sahel, bloodshed would cease, and “violence shall no more be heard in your land” (Isa. 60:18).
for persecuted believers in Mozambique to endure with hope, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).
for workers who stand beside the grieving, that they may “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15) and shine resurrection hope.
that the global church would not turn away, but “remember those who are mistreated” (Heb. 13:3), sharing in their sorrows and lifting them in prayer.

23rd. Japanese Students Abroad — A growing number of Japanese students are choosing to study in Asia—particularly Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines—where education and living costs are lower than in the West. This is part of a broader trend: millions of young people each year cross borders for education, often stepping outside the cultural and spiritual patterns of home for the first time. Such moments of transition can open hearts to new ideas, friendships, and faith. Pray:
for Japanese students to encounter Christ abroad, through friends, mentors, and campus ministries, and that “the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess. 3:1).
for local churches and student fellowships in Asia to see international students as a mission field at their doorstep, “welcoming the stranger” (Matt. 25:35).
for Christian students in host countries to live with integrity and courage, being “the aroma of Christ” to their peers (2 Cor. 2:15).
for seeds planted abroad to grow after students return home, strengthening the church in Japan and other countries often resistant to the Gospel (Mark 4:20).
for the wider movement of int’l students from many nations, that this global flow of young people might become a flow of witnesses, carrying the good news across borders (Acts 1:8).

Where do these prayer requests come from? This is a weekly guide to beseeching (δέομαι/deomai, Matthew 9) the Lord of the Harvest for the unreached peoples and places of the world. It is based on the events listed in my Weekly Roundup, as well as on information received from disciple-making movements and other sources around the world. If you’re interested in my Weekly Roundup (out each Friday), you can see a sample and sign up for it here.

Related Articles

Responses