Hello friend. A new year has a funny way of turning the volume up on everything—hopes, goals, regrets, promises. And it’s tempting to think we’ll finally live “on mission” once life feels a little more put together.

But Jesus doesn’t wait for ideal conditions.

He meets us in the ordinary—and fills the ordinary with eternal meaning. Because while your life may feel small on a Monday morning, God can (and does) use it to draw people to Himself in places where Jesus is not known—yet.

In today’s edition:

🇸🇾 A glimpse into Syria—where hardship is real, and the need for hope is urgent.

☕️ The Great Commission in the ordinary rhythms of everyday life.

🚪 Pray for Kenya, where millions remain unreached even in a nation with many churches.

Hope in the Rubble 🇸🇾

Syria’s connection to the gospel stretches back to the early church, when Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. 

Yet today, less than 3% of Syrians identify as Christian, and believers often face opposition and persecution from the Muslim-majority. 

Years of war and displacement have only deepened the need for hope.

With our support, a theological seminary is discipling refugee believers and church leaders from Muslim backgrounds—training them in their native language through both online and in-person classes so they can shepherd healthy churches in their communities.

How to Pray:

🙏🏼 Pray for Syrian believers to be lights in their neighborhoods, even as they themselves suffer loss.

🙏🏼 Pray that displaced families would encounter Christ through aid, friendship, and the love of His people.

🙏🏼 Pray for peace in the land and for the rebuilding of churches that will stand as beacons of hope.

Meaning in the Ordinary ☕️

I’m spending these first days in 2026 at large conferences mobilizing 18–25 year-olds for mission around the world.

I believe in the catalytic value of large gatherings like this.

Right now, I invite you to pause for a moment.

Before you even read the next sentence, pray for God to move by his Spirit during these days in ways that will resound to his glory among the nations for generations to come.

At the same time, I’m reminded that mission in this world doesn’t revolve around “spiritual highs” that come with large conferences once or twice a year. 

Instead, mission in this world consists of walking with God in a long series of Monday mornings all throughout the year. 

It’s the commute.

It’s your job.

It’s class.

It’s the gym.

It’s dinner with your family.

This is part of what I love about the Great Commission. When we read Jesus’ first word in this passage, it sounds like a command.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…

But in reality, the word that’s translated “go” here is a participle, not a command, and participles communicate ongoing action. 

The only command in this verse is to “make disciples.” 

In other words, it’s like Jesus is saying, “As you go, make disciples of all nations.” And when you realize this, you feel the wonder and meaning Jesus is attaching to everyday life.

As you go to work, make disciples of all nations…

As you go to school, make disciples of all nations…

As you go to this store, make disciples of all nations…

As you go to that restaurant, make disciples of all nations…

As you go to the gym, make disciples of all nations…

As you go on this trip, make disciples of all nations…

As you go to gather with the church, make disciples of all nations…

Jesus means for the Great Commission to be infused into our everyday lives everywhere we go and in everything we do. 

And this means that the normal routines of your life are not a distraction from mission in the world; instead, they’re the place where devotion to mission comes to life!

Imagine having a simple conversation one day this week with a co-worker or classmate in which you invite them to come to church with you. Imagine them coming one Sunday, hearing the good news of God’s love for them, and placing their faith in Jesus for eternal life. 

Your conversation at that water cooler at work or in the hall of your school before second period this week could actually lead someone to be enjoying and exalting Jesus 100 trillion years from now. 

Every single moment of your life could actually lead to everlasting fruit in others’ lives.

So here’s my encouragement for the next 7 days: each morning, pray, “God, as I go today, please help me to live like I’m on mission at every moment.”  

Then see your life all day long through that lens. Only God knows how your normal life this week might lead to fruit that lasts far beyond this world.

—David Platt

The Unreached Next Door 🚪

Kenya is often seen as a Christian nation, yet millions within its borders have little to no access to the gospel.

Out of more than 57 million people, over 5 million still live among unreached people groups, with little to no access to the good news of Jesus. Many of these groups are in rural or marginalized communities where cultural and linguistic barriers keep them separated from gospel witness. 

Even where churches are strong, these neighbors remain invisible to many believers.

How to Pray:

🙏🏼 Pray for Kenyan believers to see the unreached not as distant “others,” but as neighbors to love—crossing cultural and tribal lines with humility and joy.

🙏🏼 Pray for pastors and churches to send workers to overlooked regions, trusting God to provide even when resources feel thin.

🙏🏼 Pray for God to raise up disciple-makers in every people group, until all in Kenya can hear the good news.

📍 Attention Worthy

• Start 2026 by making Jesus known: become a Radical monthly partner and get David Platt’s How to Read the Bible free this January.

• What it means to be ambassadors for Christ—and why words are central to the missionary task.

• “No time.” “Too confusing.” “Not relevant.” Three common excuses for neglecting the Bible—and practical ways to crush them.