October 7, 2026
— Frank Houghton · Source: "Millions"
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
In 1945, Frank Houghton wrote these words in Millions; six years later, he personally led all China Inland Mission missionaries to evacuate China. The foreign missionaries left, but the gospel did not stop, because evangelism has never been merely the professional job of pastors, preachers, or missionaries. Peter says that every single one of us believers is a "royal priesthood," called to proclaim God's excellencies. Today, do I treat evangelism as someone else's job while remaining a mere spectator? God has placed me in my family, workplace, and community precisely so that I may be a light there.
Heavenly Father, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light, thank you for choosing us as your people and making us a royal priesthood. Forgive us for often pushing evangelism onto a few while remaining silent ourselves. Revive your church, enabling every brother and sister to see their calling, and to live out and proclaim your excellencies among family, colleagues, neighbors, and fellow countrymen. Please also protect and strengthen local churches everywhere, that they may proclaim your name from generation to generation. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.