Each year, millions of international students make their way to the U.S. and Canada to study at one of our many universities or colleges. God is bringing the nations to our doorstep! We must be found faithful in welcoming them! Over the past several years, the Baptist Collegiate Network has deemed September Welcoming the Nations month. You are challenged to seek intentional ways to welcome the nations that call your local college/university home. The prayer guide below has been developed to help you on this journey. May we be found faithful in reaching the nations God has placed at our doorstep!
September 1: Pray for international students to be welcomed by American students and families.
September 2: Pray for the many international scholars that are making American university campuses their home.
September 3: Pray for international students struggling with language and cultural challenges.
September 4: Pray for churches to welcome international students.
September 5: Pray for open doors to Gospel conversations with international students.
September 6: Pray for relationship building opportunities for international students and American students.
September 7: Pray for Christian international students to find a church family to connect with while they are in America.
September 8: Pray for Baptist Campus Ministries to be intentional in engaging international students on campus.
September 9: Pray for the families of international students – that they may be engaged with the Gospel in their homelands.
September 10: Pray for the hearts of international students to be softened to the Gospel message.
September 11: Pray for God to reveal Himself to international students and American students alike, on this anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
September 12: Pray for international students to excel in their studies.
September 13: Pray for international students to join seeker Bible studies and for God to use those studies to draw these students to Himself.
September 14: Pray for churches to see the opportunity to reach the nations in their communities.
September 15: Pray for international students to be comforted in homesickness.
September 16: Pray for the hundreds of unreached people groups that are represented by international students on campuses all across the U.S.
September 17: Pray for American families to begin thinking about how they can share with international students over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
September 18: Pray for students who served as summer missionaries to intentionally engage those whom they served among this summer who are represented on their campuses as international students.
September 19: Pray for God to use the presence of international students on campuses across the nation to see His heart for all nations.
September 20: Pray for follow-up to take place when international students return home through programs like International Student Referral.
September 21: Pray for the families of international students/scholars who are here in the U.S., that they too may be welcomed by American Church.
September 22: Pray for personnel in international student offices at universities across the nation – that they are diligent in working through the many details for international students.
September 23: Pray for the leadership of each country that is represented by an international student in your community.
September 24: Pray that God use this time to disciple those international students who have chosen to follow Him, that they may be missionaries to their homeland.
September 25: Pray for educational opportunities (internships, projects, etc.) to open up for international students in which to participate.
September 26: Pray for American students to seek opportunities to show hospitality to international students.
September 27: Pray for an opportunity to engage one international student in a spiritual conversation today.
September 28: Pray for pastors to lead their congregations in a vision to reach the nations in their neighborhoods.
September 29: Pray for a renewed passion and interest in international student ministry to spread across our college and university campuses.
September 30: Pray that God uses this prayer journey to continue to reveal to you the need and the opportunity, that is: international students on our campuses.