How does Psalm 68:31 inspire us to pray for global evangelism today? Setting the Scene—Psalm 68:31 in a Single Sentence “Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.” (Psalm 68:31) The Scope of God’s Promise in Psalm 68:31 • Egypt and Cush (modern Sudan–Ethiopia region) represent the farthest reaches known to ancient Israel—former oppressors, distant cultures, dark spiritual strongholds. • The verse declares, not merely hopes, that these nations will move from hostility to homage: they will send “envoys,” and “stretch out” hands in worship. • This worldwide trajectory is woven through Scripture—Genesis 12:3; Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 19:19-25; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:9-10. God’s redemptive plan has always been global. Snapshots of Fulfillment Already Unfolding • Acts 8:26-39—an Ethiopian official encounters the gospel and carries it home. A first-fruit of Cush stretching out hands. • Church history—North Africa’s early theologians; modern mission movements; vibrant African churches today. • Present day—growing numbers of believers in former strongholds of atheism, Islam, and animism, demonstrating the verse’s ongoing fulfillment. Why This Verse Fuels Passionate Intercession for the Nations • Certainty fuels confidence—God has promised that distant peoples will come; prayer aligns us with His guaranteed outcome (Isaiah 55:11). • Prophecy invites participation—Daniel 9 shows fulfilled prophecy driving prayer, not stifling it. We join God’s plan by asking Him to do what He has pledged. • The verse highlights leaders—“envoys” suggests influencers. Pray for diplomats, academics, business leaders, and heads of state to meet Christ and become gospel channels. • The image of uplifted hands reminds us to pray for spiritual hunger—hearts ready to “stretch out” toward the only Savior (John 6:44). • From oppression to outreach—Egypt once enslaved Israel; now the promise envisions former captors becoming worshipers. Pray for regions hostile to Christianity to become sending centers for missionaries (Acts 9:15). Practical Prayer Pointers Drawn from Psalm 68:31 • Nations by name—call out Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and by extension every nation still waiting for gospel light. • Workers for every people group—Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest…” (Matthew 9:38). • Translation and distribution of Scripture—so “envoys” can read God’s Word in their own tongue (Romans 10:17). • Courage and protection for indigenous believers—so hands can stay raised without fear (Ephesians 6:19-20). • Governmental favor—open doors for visas, broadcasting, humanitarian projects that carry the gospel seed (Proverbs 21:1). • Revival in sending nations—renewed zeal among established churches to keep resourcing global evangelism (2 Timothy 1:6). Encouragement to Keep Praying Psalm 68:31 is a fixed point on God’s timeline. Every prayer for global evangelism bends history toward that promised worship gathering before the throne. Stand on the certainty of the Word, and keep asking until every tribe and tongue stretches out its hands to God. |
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