From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
--Acts 17:26-27


i generally feel prohibitively timid in praying for the nations of the world, as if i'm putting on airs, and should instead reserve my prayers for the things with which i interact on a daily basis.

This is an excellent way to make yourself the dominant subject of petitions to an everlasting God. It's also an effective way to limit by habit familiarity with God's sovereignty. My prayers are so local most of the time that it seems somewhat hollow when I lift up Richard Dawkins or the Muslim world.

i think i need to vary my prayers more, extend my scope commensurate with the omniscient omnipotent God to whom i pray. and change the topics of conversation with the God i know.

and yet it seems the only time i pray consistently for specific people(s) is when i have a realistic forecast of time to inspire a daily intercession, like a calendar with which i can keep myself accountable.


and it only adds to the posture of humility to lift up a people, a tribe, a sect whose name you're not sure how to pronounce.