When the Jews of Corinth rejected the Good News and opposed the apostle Paul, he “shook out his clothes against them” and went to the Gentiles instead. Then the ruler of the synagogue and his entire household, as well as many Corinthians, believed the message and were baptized. At that time, “the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’” Paul ministry there effectively for 1½ years (Ac 18:9-10).

What would the Lord say to a visiting evangelist about your city? Would He say that He has people in your city who would offer them places to preach the Gospel and to minister? Are His people professing believers and/or seekers of truth? Does He have many people in your city or few? Would there be some who would feel threatened enough to oppose and even harm someone seeking to do Kingdom work?

In our day and in this time, the Lord is causing great global movements of people through economic migration and asylum seeking. Simultaneously, He is moving missionaries around in new ways for greatest effectiveness. In recent years we’ve seen mission agencies sending workers from Africa to Europe and North America to rescue the church. And now it’s also more common to hear of missionaries to and from specific people groups – for example, Syrians and Iranians – emigrating to work among refugees and immigrants settling in the West.

Have you noticed evidence of mission agencies and ethnic churches working among such groups in your city? How can you pray for your city?

Every city has its own character. When Jesus spoke through John to the seven churches of Asia (Rev 2 & 3), he had a specific message relevant to the significant issues in each city. (See http://www.about-jesus.org/seven-churches-revelation-map.htm). What is your city known for? Where have immigrant groups settled? Where are mosques located? Ask the Spirit – perhaps with several other believers – what He has to say about your city (see e.g. Rev 2:7, 11, 17).

Pray for open doors in your city for effective evangelistic work (1 Co 16:8-9).

Pray for workers to be divinely connected with “worthy persons” (Mt 10:11) who will encourage and support them and help them become established.

Pray for the Lord’s timing and strategies. Where is the special niche that a particular worker or ministry can occupy? Which existing mission agencies offer opportunities to work together effectively for the sake of the Kingdom?

PRAY FOR UNITY! Pray that workers, mission agency administrators and the city church will cooperate to accomplish Kingdom purposes and “live a life worthy of the calling [they] have received, [that they will be] completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, [that they will make] every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). Pray that all men will know they are His disciples by their love for one another (Jn 13:35).