Pray for: Friends of Internationals Ministries
One of the primary reasons New City Church was planted in Tampa, FL, is because of the vast international population at the University of South Florida (USF). USF is actually the leading school in all of Florida for international students, with a population of over 6,000! Out of approximately 195 countries in the world, nearly 150 are represented at USF.
We are praying for the organization Friends of Internationals (FOI) as they seek to love and reach international students in Tampa Bay. We are also praying for wisdom as we seek to come alongside and partner with FOI in the work they are already doing!
Pray that the people of New City would have a deep burden for international students and a desire to support and engage with FOI.
Pray for the leadership of FOI—that they may find favor with the University of South Florida and the students they are trying to engage.
Pray that, through the efforts of FOI and partnering churches, many international students would receive the gift of salvation and become part of the local body of Christ.
Example Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Great is your holy and precious name. You are holy and worthy to be praised by people of every tribe, tongue, and nation. You are so faithful to bring the whole world here—to Tampa Bay.
Lord, I confess that it is so easy to get caught up in everyday busyness, and that I often miss the world all around me. It’s easier to leave the work to others, even when you have called us to be a part of it ourselves. At times, I lack the faith or boldness to engage with international students or to partner with those at FOI.
Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness in bringing the nations to Tampa Bay. Thank you for raising up laborers and burdening the leadership of FOI to reach international students. Thank you for giving us the strength and boldness to fulfill the work you’ve given us to do.
Lord God, I lift up FOI to you. I ask that you would guide their leadership as they faithfully labor for you. Give them favor with the leadership of USF, and help them to effectively reach international students. Father, I ask that you guide New City Church as we seek to partner with FOI, and that our church body would be deeply burdened for the international population in Tampa Bay. Encourage and strengthen us as we reach out to international students, and lead more churches to partner with and labor alongside FOI.
Above all, Lord, we thank you for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that we have received the same salvation we now seek to share with others.
In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.