by Jennifer Wake

As a Chemistry teacher, a Financial Counselor, author, speaker, and quilter, I am considered an enigma. My interests are wide-ranging, and my reading habits reflect that same diversity. A glance at my Kindle or bookshelves reveals science fiction, travel, religion, devotionals, and plenty of fiction. And, thanks to the military’s weight-limit policy, many of my books now live in e-book format rather than on physical shelves.

My love of reading has also shaped how I approach life in the military. We move every two years, and each set of orders becomes an invitation to explore our new home, not just physically, but intellectually. As soon as we know where we are going, I dive into travel books to uncover meaningful places to visit. Our time in Europe was guided by Rick Steves’ European series, while we used Lonely Planet to discover many other places. Each guide offers ideas that help us make the most of each location.

Yet somewhere along the way, my heart gradually shifted from simply exploring places to understanding the people we met. At one duty station, I discovered Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. Unlike my tried-and-true guides, this book provides insight into each nation’s spiritual landscape—highlighting primary religions, the presence of Christianity, and specific areas of need. Through it, I began to see the world not just as a collection of destinations, but as a tapestry of people in need of prayer.

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This shift led me into a new challenge: writing prayers. While I find it easy to talk to God, writing prayers has always felt more difficult—almost stilted at times. Using Operation World as a framework, I slowly note facts that resonate with me, and then consider how I would pray to either encourage or combat those ideas. By focusing on one country at a time, I began intentionally reading about its people and then writing prayers specifically for them. What once felt awkward slowly became purposeful.

For example, during our five years in Germany, I became particularly burdened to pray for our host nation. Germany is currently experiencing a significant exodus from organized religion, which prompts a deep longing in my heart for revival within its churches. At the same time, the rise of false teachers highlights the urgent need for clarity and discernment among both leaders and congregations. Additionally, as the population ages, there is a growing need for younger generations to engage with and learn from the faith of those who have gone before them.

Here is a sample prayer I wrote for Germany:

Lord, please send Your Holy Spirit into all the churches in Germany. Strengthen the pastors and draw their congregations into deeper worship and growth. May all the denominations work together to reach every corner of the nation.

El Roi, the God who sees, please open the eyes of those who are following false teachers. Shine Your light to expose the darkness of deception. Grant clarity and discernment to leaders. Stir the hearts of the younger generation to seek You, to learn from older believers, and to carry the faith forward. May each generation encourage and strengthen the other.

As we pray for Germany and her people, remind us to stand firm in Your truth, to seek wisdom, and to encourage fellow believers. Send the Holy Spirit not only to Germany, but to our own land and to all nations. Convict us of sin and remind us daily of Your Son’s sacrifice. Amen.

Through this process, I’ve realized some unexpected things. First, my heart is increasingly drawn toward God’s purpose to share the Gospel and pray for all the nations. Second, no matter what genre I read, I often find myself reflecting on the deeper question of how we can bring God’s truth to the world. Third, I enjoy writing prayers.

My writing journey may just be beginning, but my prayer life is rooted firmly in God and His love for every nation. And that leads me to an invitation: will you join me on this journey? Together, we can learn to write—and pray—for each nation, one at a time.

 

 

Jennifer Wake is a passionate Bible study leader, author, and educator dedicated to helping others grow in faith and wisdom. With a background in chemistry and physics, she brings clarity and depth to her teaching, blending science, scripture, and real-life application. Jennifer holds a master’s degree and is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), offering practical guidance rooted in both knowledge and compassion. As a military spouse and the 2023 AFI Fort Belvoir Spouse of the Year, Jennifer has served alongside her chaplain husband, supporting families and building resilient communities. She is also a seasoned teacher and trainer, known for her engaging and down-to-earth teaching style. She is currently working on two new books. She is a proud mother of three adult children and two beloved dogs. Whether she’s writing, teaching, quilting, or walking her pups, she remains committed to living a life of purpose, faith, and service.