The world is full of beauty. Mountains, oceans, and lush landscapes reflect the creative work of the Lord. Yet the world is also full of darkness. Pain hides around every corner, and billions of people don’t know that hope exists. If your heart is burdened for those who don’t know the gospel, this liturgy is for you. As you pray, let your heart be reminded that the beauty of the gospel can overcome spiritual darkness.
A Liturgy for Those Burdened for the Unreached
The world is shrouded in darkness—
a darkness so deep
that many do not see it.
The darkness is hidden,
residing deep within the hearts of those with no hope—
yet they do not know they are without hope.
They have not heard,
they have not tasted nor seen
the abounding love of the Lord.
They live in deserts and jungles,
in cities and villages,
on mountains and shorelines.
They are ignorant of the existence of a Savior,
Much less their need for a Savior.
The gospel has not reached them.
Billions of people, blinded to the truth of Jesus,
carry idols made of wood
and pray to gods who cannot save.
Their efforts to find life
are only leading them on a path toward death.
O Lord, God of Heaven,
You fashioned the Earth and made it.
You did not create it to be empty
but filled it with Your image bearers.
You do not speak in secret
from somewhere in a land of darkness.
Rather, You speak the truth.
Heaven and Earth declare Your glory.
God of the universe,
there is no God but You.
You alone can save.
Call on the nations to turn to You.
Open blinded eyes
and soften hardened hearts.
Remove barriers and strongholds
that seek to stifle the gospel.
Let Your light shine forth in the darkness.
As for me, Lord, Your child,
equip me to fulfill Your purposes on this Earth.
Stir my heart toward action.
Forgive me for my complacent spirit
that tempts me to remain unmoved.
Let me not sit idly by
as billions wander aimlessly in spiritual darkness.
Give me ears to hear Your commission
and the resolve to respond faithfully.
When You call me to pray,
burden my heart to leverage the power of intercession
for the sake of the unreached.
When You call me to give,
fill me with the joy of letting go
that one soul may be saved.
When You call me to go,
guide me by the Spirit
to be Your ambassador both near and far.
Allow me to be a light in the darkness,
calling all nations and tribes and peoples
to seek Your face.
Send forth Your messengers
until every knee bows
and every tongue confesses,
“In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.”
Yes, Lord, deliver the nations
until Heaven is filled with people from every corner of the globe,
until the gospel has filled every dark corner,
until there is no longer a need
to reach those who are unreached.
In Your mighty name I pray.
Amen.
Beauty & Darkness: A Collection of Liturgies
Connect with God and pray for the unreached in a new way with three guided prayers. Along with the liturgy download, you will receive two lock screen downloads to use on your phone. Download a free copy today to be reminded that the beauty of the gospel can overcome any form of spiritual darkness!
