From the very beginning, God planned for us to be in fellowship through meaningful connections. He created us to be in relationship with one another, as well as with Him. It’s a way that we manifest His character — by being living representations of His love to those around us.

There are many brothers and sisters in Christ that we’ll never get to meet, but we can still support and love each other through prayer. It’s an easy, powerful way for us to connect with others around the world because we share a mutual love for Christ.

But how do you pray for people who you might never meet, or people who you might know nothing about? Here are some tips on how to pray for and participate in God’s global community:

1. Invest in your local community.

Many of us don’t need to look further than our own neighbors to learn about a different culture. We live in communities full of diversity! Opportunities to learn about and experience a different way of life are all around us.

Get to know your neighbors — whether on your street or in your local community — and develop relationships with them. And as you do, ask for ways that you can pray for them. This is a tangible way we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those we encounter on a daily basis. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of your community. Be intentional to pray with and for those you meet.

2. Visit another culture’s church.

Revelation 7:9 describes an awe-inspiring picture of what heaven is going to look like: “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands” (NLT).

As believers, we get to look forward to participating in this one day! But we don’t have to wait for heaven — we can get a glimpse of this right now. Try visiting another culture’s local church to get a taste and appreciation of how they worship God. Whether you worship in the same format or not, we have the common ground of exalting the same God, and that’s a beautiful depiction of what Revelation 7:9 describes. Use this experience as an opportunity to proactively pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ from that culture around the world. Pray for their ability to worship freely, grow closer to God and mature in their faith.

3. Use Scripture as inspiration.

The Apostle Paul starts many of his epistles with a prayer of exhortation to the community of believers he’s addressing. Use passages such as this to pray for communities around the world — words that can relate to many people, regardless of their language, culture or country:

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. — Colossians 1:9-14 (NLT)

Using God’s Word shows you His love for others and helps you align your words to His thoughts. For more Scriptures and tips on how to pray this way, read “How to Pray Scripture Back to God.”

4. Look to the news.

The news connects us to events happening all around the world within seconds. As we learn of natural disasters, conflicts, illnesses and more that happen around the world, we can use the news as an opportunity to pray for a specific community.

Take just a few minutes each day to read a news article or two, and pray specifically for the people involved. Whether they’re fellow believers in Christ or not, God loves them. He can use your prayers over the news to strengthen His children and draw more people to Himself. Want to learn more about praying through current events? Read “How to Pray Through the News.”

God’s global community is all around us. It’s right outside your front door as well as on the opposite side of the world. Wherever you are, you can engage in global community by praying for God’s people everywhere. And through your prayers, God’s name will be magnified among the nations.