Ends of the Earth

Have you thought about how your prayers could reach the other side of the world? Psalm 22 sees the ends of the earth turning to the Lord.

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:27–28).

We wonder what David was thinking when he wrote about “the ends of the earth” and “all the families of the nations.” Could he have imagined the islands of the sea? A world with billions of inhabitants, stretching from Tierra del Fuego to Siberia?

He could hardly have imagined a country like India, with its rich, complex history and a population today of almost 1.5 billion people.

Modern India brims with energy. It’s a nation filled with youth—half of India’s population is under the age of 30. While still influencing much of Indian life, its ancient caste system, part of its Hindu tradition, is gradually eroding. People eagerly pursue economic freedom, as hundreds of millions enter India’s middle class. Many are finding prosperity.

In partial fulfillment of David’s prophecy, many in India have turned to the Lord—today, an estimated 30 to 34 million Christians live in India. But we also see a land of heartbreak and suffering, with many more millions who still deny the Lord. We see its Hindu majority, Muslim population, and other religions. We see conflicts between its ancient traditions and the modern world.

In many ways, the harvest field in India symbolizes the state of missions and the urgency of fulfilling the Great Commission. Pray for the Christians in India. Pray for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to save souls and cause the ends of the earth to turn to the Lord.

Reflection Question: Write a prayer asking God to encourage Christians throughout the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Christians are there in India today?

Census-based estimates put India’s Christian population at roughly 2.3% of the population—about 30 to 34 million people—though some missiologists believe the actual number of believers is higher due to underreporting in a country where identifying as Christian can carry social risk.

Why does India represent “the state of missions” in a unique way?

With nearly 1.5 billion people, a young population, deep religious diversity, and ongoing gaps between rapid economic growth and widespread poverty, India illustrates both the scale of the Great Commission’s remaining task and real, measurable Gospel progress already underway.

How can I pray meaningfully for a country as vast as India?

Praying for specific groups—a particular region, an unreached people group, or Indian believers facing pressure for their faith—is often more sustainable and specific than praying for India as an abstraction.