Praying for America: A 30-Week Prayer Journey Through 2026

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus.

As we step into 2026, I want to talk with you about something that's been weighing heavily on my heart—and I believe God wants to stir this same burden in the hearts of believers across America.

This year, our nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary. Two hundred and fifty years since the Declaration of Independence. A quarter of a millennium as a nation. That's a significant milestone by any measure.

But here's the question: What kind of nation will we be celebrating? And more importantly, what does God want to do through His church in America during this pivotal year?

Today, I'm introducing a resource that I pray will mobilize believers and churches to intercede for our nation like never before. It's called "Praying for America: A 30-Week Prayer Journey Through 2026."

Let me be honest with you. America is in crisis.

We're more divided than we've been since the Civil War. Crime continues to rise. Racial wounds that we thought were healing have been ripped open again. Economic inequality is widening. Our criminal justice system is broken. Families are fragmenting. Mental health is deteriorating. Addiction is epidemic.

And the American church? Friends, we're complicit in much of this mess.

Some have confused cultural Christianity with Kingdom transformation. Some have allowed political ideology to eclipse Gospel identity. We've built entertainment empires and called them churches. We've preached a self-help gospel that asks nothing and costs nothing.

More often than not, the public face of American Christianity pushes people away from Jesus rather than drawing them to Him.

But—and this is crucial—God is not done with America.

Even now, there are signs of hope. Campus revivals are breaking out among Generation Z. Ethnic minority churches are experiencing vibrant, authentic faith. Missionaries from immigrant communities are being raised up to reach the unreached. Pockets of genuine spiritual awakening are appearing across the country.

The question is: Will we recognize what God is doing and partner with Him through prayer and obedience?

Let me take you back to 1630—almost 400 years ago.

A Puritan lawyer named John Winthrop stood aboard a ship called the Arbella, preparing to land in what would become Massachusetts. He delivered a sermon that would echo through American history. He said: "We shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us."

He was quoting Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Winthrop envisioned a community that would demonstrate God's kingdom principles to a watching world.

Now, I need to be clear here. Winthrop wasn't preaching American exceptionalism or Christian nationalism. He was calling for Kingdom faithfulness. He was saying, "The world is watching how we live. Will they see Jesus in us?"

That calling is just as relevant today—maybe more so.

The eyes of all people are upon us. America's cultural, economic, and military influence touches every corner of the globe. For better or worse, what happens in America shapes the world.

But here's what's absolutely stunning: In His sovereignty, God has brought the world to America.

Think about this. The last words Jesus spoke before ascending to heaven were: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). For two centuries, American missionaries crossed oceans to obey that command.

But now? The nations have come to us.

Millions of immigrants and refugees from every corner of the earth live in our neighborhoods. Muslims from Pakistan and Syria. Hindus from India and Nepal. Buddhists from Vietnam and Thailand. Secular professionals from China. Refugees from restricted-access nations where missionaries can't go.

The harvest field is at our doorstep.

And friends, this is not a problem. This is not something to fear. This is a God-ordained opportunity to obey the Great Commission without leaving our zip codes.

So here’s my invitation to each of you…

Starting this month, I'm inviting you to join a 30-week prayer journey. This isn't just another prayer list. This is a comprehensive, strategic guide to interceding for America with Kingdom priorities.

We're going to pray through 30 critical topics. Let me give you a taste of what we'll cover:

We'll pray for America's diverse communities:

The African-American community—both healing historical wounds and celebrating their incredible Kingdom impact.

The Hispanic community—the spiritual vitality and missionary potential of America's largest minority.

Native Americans—our First Nations who have suffered so much yet are experiencing spiritual awakening.

Asian-American churches that are leading the way in missions sending.

We'll pray for those who need the Gospel most desperately:

International students—700,000 future world leaders studying on American campuses, many encountering Jesus for the first time.

Muslim immigrants—who can hear and respond to the Gospel here in ways impossible in their homelands.

South Asian communities—5.5 million Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs largely unreached with Biblical truth.

The incarcerated—1.2 million prisoners who need both justice reform and the transforming power of Christ.

We'll pray for critical national issues:

The deep political and racial divisions tearing our nation apart.

America's global influence—both the good we do and the destruction we can prevent.

The crisis facing our youth—and the signs of Gen Z revival.

The need for authentic revival versus the shallow, entertainment-driven Christianity that's failing us.

Each week, you'll get:

A brief introduction providing context and Biblical perspective.

Four to five Scripture passages to read and meditate on.

Five specific prayer points to guide your intercession.

You can use this personally—set aside time each week to pray through one topic.

You can use this in small groups or prayer meetings—I've designed it for 45-60 minute gatherings, either in person or online. I’ve been doing this with a group of ladies every Friday morning, over Zoom, for two years. It is a powerful time of prayer! 

You can use this church-wide—imagine your entire congregation praying in unity through these critical issues over the course of the year.

Now, before I close, I need to address something really important.

As we pray for America throughout 2026, we must remember the words of Hebrews 13:14: "For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come."

America is not our permanent home. The Kingdom of God is our true citizenship. Our primary identity is not American—it's Christian. We're part of a global body that transcends all national, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

So when we pray for America, we're not praying for American dominance or American exceptionalism. We're praying that God would use this nation as a launchpad for His glory among all peoples.

We're praying that America's 250th anniversary would mark not just a celebration of this country and its history, but a renewal of missionary faithfulness.

We're praying that the American church would embrace the beautiful, diverse, multicultural Body of Christ that increasingly reflects what heaven will look like.

We're praying with Kingdom eyes—seeing America not as an end in itself, but as a tool in God's hands for the sake of the nations.

And friends, that changes everything about how we pray.

So here's what I'm asking you to do.

First, download the prayer guide. It's completely free. You'll find the link in the show notes or you can go to nations4jesus.blogspot.com to get your copy.

Second, commit to this journey. Don't just download it and forget about it. Put it on your calendar. Set aside time each week. Make 2026 the year you intercede for your nation like never before.

Third, invite others to join you. Share this with your small group. Talk to your pastor about using it for church prayer meetings. Post about it on social media. Text it to three friends this week who you know have a heart for prayer.

Fourth—and this is critical—don't just pray. Act.

As you pray for international students, volunteer with campus ministry or invite a student to dinner.

As you pray for immigrants and refugees, connect with a local resettlement agency or ESL ministry.

As you pray for the incarcerated, look into prison ministry opportunities.

As you pray for revival among youth, mentor a teenager or support youth ministry financially.

Prayer without action is incomplete. James tells us that faith without works is dead. The same is true of intercession.

Finally, expect God to work. Don't pray these prayers with cynicism or despair. Pray them with faith—believing that the God who raised Jesus from the dead can raise up this nation from spiritual death. Believing that the same Spirit who empowered the early church can bring revival to the American church.

Let me close with this.

Second Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

That's a promise. God will hear. God will forgive. God will heal.

But it starts with His people. It starts with us. It starts with humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and repentance.

As America enters its 250th year, my prayer is that this anniversary would mark not just a milestone of national history, but a turning point of spiritual history. That 2026 would be remembered as the year the American church woke up, fell on its knees, and cried out for God to do what only He can do.

Will you join me in that prayer? 

Download the guide. Commit to the journey. Invite others. Pray with faith. Take action.

And let's see what God will do.

Let me pray…

Thank you for joining me today. I believe God wants to use this year in powerful ways—not for American glory, but for His glory among all nations.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, pray for America with Kingdom priorities, and remember—we have no lasting city here, but we're looking for the city that is to come.

Want a PDF of the prayer guide? Email me at taniad1992@gmail.com.

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