2026 August Prayer Corps

The disciples of Jesus could have asked Him to teach them many different things:

• “Teach us to do miracles”
• “Teach us how to speak with authority”
• “Teach us how to evangelize”… and more.

Instead, they asked Him to teach them how to pray! What follows in this beloved scriptural account has come to be known as, The Lord’s Prayer – some of the most well-known and most-quoted verses in the New Testament.

However, Jesus was not giving His followers a word-for-word prayer to be memorized and repeated as the only prayer to pray. Rather, He was showing them, and each of us, something far more profound.

He was revealing that prayer to the One True God is the ultimate expression of a genuine and intimate relationship between God and man. Jesus’ example to His disciples of this kind of prayer gives us much we can learn from these short verses, and books upon books have been written on the subject.

But for now, here are a just few insights about what is at the core of this powerful prayer as it was spoken from the heart of Jesus:

1. His deep and abiding dependence upon the Father for everything, modeled often in Jesus’ life and ministry (Jn 5:19; 8:28,29).
2. His heartfelt dependence also cultivated an ongoing intimate and personal fellowship with the Father (Mt 17:5; Lk 5:16; Jn 5:20).
3. Every work that Jesus did, every word He spoke, all of which flowed from His dependent and intimate relationship with the Father, was to give glory and honor to the One true God (Jn 7:18; 12:49-50; 14:9-11; 17:1-5).

Though the disciples’ question may have concerned the “mechanics” of praying, Jesus’ response instead revealed the far greater lessons of the motivation or mindset necessary in the heart of every believer as we approach the open arms of our Heavenly Father.

God’s desire is that His people know Him and draw near to Him. It is what we were made for, and why the God of the universe sent His only Son to die on a Cross – so that the way would be opened to restore that lost relationship broken by our sin.

His Word promises us, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (Ja 4:8). Jesus taught that prayer is not a religious ritual filled with a correct formula of words, proper posture or the right length (Mt 6:1-8).

Prayer is the sincere heart-to-heart communication between a loving Father God and His loving children. As we come to Him in prayer, we can come in confidence since it is not based upon our own goodness or spirituality. We must simply trust in what Jesus has already done for us (He 4:14-16).

So let us come boldly to God in prayer, with much thanksgiving and praise (Ps 100) to Him Who is truly worthy. Let us come with a humble and contrite heart (Ps 51:17), lifting open and yielded hands to the One Who knows all and loves us unconditionally. And let us come expectantly to Him Who delights to hear from us, will speak to us, and Who has the power to release the answers that are best for us. Hallelujah!

Anti-conversion laws continue to spread across India, allowing radical Hindus to attack, imprison and persecute Christians. In much of SE Asia, the strict laws and religious customs prohibit Christian evangelism and the growth of churches. However, evangelism and church planting continues to expand, particularly among unreached people groups.

Please pray for:

• Boldness, wisdom and sustaining grace for Christians in these nations.
• Changes in the governments and laws that give freedom to share the Gospel.
• The binding and casting down of demonic strongholds and spirits seeking to quench the light and life of Christ.

The June 24 earthquakes were devastating, with thousands of lives lost and homes and buildings destroyed. It has uncovered the profound weakness and disorder of every infrastructure system from years of socialistic governmental failure, compounding the disaster into epic proportions. Venezuela is in danger of catastrophic collapse.

Please pray for:

• The tens of thousands who have lost loved ones, homes, jobs and any immediate possibility of rebuilding their lives.
• That governments would come to the aid of Venezuelans, and ensure that the assistance goes where the need exists, rather than to socialistic regimes and drug cartels.
• Christians and ministries to step into the gap – with divine wisdom – to provide food and necessities, and for the Holy Spirit to empower bold prayer and evangelism with signs following. May fresh revival and salvation fall upon Venezuela!

As unrest continues, keep praying often in the Spirit and with your understanding for this part of the world in such turmoil. Much is at stake for the region, and the surrounding nations. The battle is ultimately spiritual, so armor up and contend in the power of the Holy Spirit!

There is only one God who hears and will answer the prayers of those who love Him and seek Him. He is Yahweh, the One revealed in the Holy Bible, Who is seen in the Person of Jesus Christ. Our God is waiting and listening, so may we often come into His presence.

Seeking Him with you,
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish, World MAP Executive Directors