Looking For Prayer Partners
We are asking God to add “Intercessory Missionaries” as partners in prayer to the work He has called us to. Please take the time to read the information below written by Will Bruce of OMF International. This brief pamphlet will help equip you to be an effective prayer partner with us.
Why and How to Pray For Missionaries
Will Bruce
Paul appealed to the Thessalonian believers, “Brothers, pray for us.” He knew he could not go it alone. The missionary echoes that appeal, “Brothers, pray for me.”
The Spiritual Battle
The missionary knows life will be a battle, for he will be invading enemy territory where Satan has held uncontested sway for years, darkening people’s minds so that the truth of God’s word cannot penetrate. The fight will be fierce; the enemy’s counter-attacks will be cunning and accurately targeted. It will be an intense spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-12). Intercessory missionaries are prayer partners and should see themselves as part of the missionary’s team. (2 Cor. 10:4).
Pray that souls will be released from Satan’s bondage and will put their trust in Christ.
Frustrations of Cross-Cultural Life
- Language learning.
- Customs and culture.
- Unfamiliar food.
- Climate.
- Lack of privacy.
- Lack of results.
Pray for the missionary to be graciously flexible and able in very practical ways. (Philippians 4:6)
Self-Knowledge
It is not long before cross-cultural stress reveals to the missionaries the fact that they are sinful. They then recognize afresh how human they are! Here are a few of the insights the Lord brings to their attention:
- Pride.
- Prejudice.
- Selfishness.
- Lack of self-discipline.
Pray that the missionary will learn to submit his own desires and inclinations to God.
Loneliness
It happens to singles or to the married; in a cross-cultural setting, surrounded by people with an unfamiliar culture and language, and perhaps with no one showing interest in his message, the missionary can feel very isolated and alone.
Pray that the missionary will experience closeness with God in new and satisfying ways.
Stability
Faithful Bible reading and prayer promote stability-spiritually, mentally, and emotionally-so that the missionary will effectively combat Satan’s deadly tactics. Pressures, interruptions, and emergencies can rob him of his time for spiritual renewal.
Pray that in each of these areas the missionary will develop mature stability and a self-worth from who he is in Christ and not from success or what others say about him.
Insight
Pray that the missionary will have sympathy and insight tuned to the heart-needs of those around him.
Relationships
Good relationships with his family, with his leaders (who may be nationals) and with members of his team are necessary if God’s work is to advance.
Pray the missionary will be surrendered to God and sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit.
Spirit Filled Lives
Pray that the missionary will be filled with the Spirit…and therefore, walk in the Spirit (Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:16,25).
Health
Pray that God will keep the missionary’s health in the condition that will best glorify Him.
Travel
Pray for safety in travel.
Children
Pray for the health of missionary children. Pray that both parents will be godly role models to help their children develop a godly self-image.
More Workers
Pray that many more at home will make Jesus’ last command their first concern (Matthew 28:18ff).
(Consider copying and printing the list below to place in your Bible or prayer journal)
How To Pray For Missionaries
Pray that the missionary will:
- Recognize the enemy’s attacks, and use scriptural weapons to defeat him in battle.
- Be able to adjust to new and strange things: the food, the climate, the lack of privacy.
- Not lose heart at the lack of results, but persevere, trusting for the fruit God promised.
- Confess and seek cleansing from traits of the old nature such as pride, prejudice, selfishness, lack of discipline.
- Experience genuine fellowship with God in prayer and in reading His word.
- Be a humble servant, not expecting to be served.
- Mature spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
- Have sensitivity and insight into the needs of others.
- Make earnest effort to have harmony in all his relationships.
- Be filled with the Spirit and love at all times.
- Be in good health, safe in travel, and wise in bringing up his children to love and obey the Lord.
- Have a healthy prayer and devotional life.
- Have more workers to help.
Some tips when praying:
- Be specific, systematic and steadfast in praying for specific needs.
- Agree in prayer with others the “two or three” of Matthew 18:18-20.
- Practice saturation prayer-covering many aspects with many brief requests.
- Try using a passage of scripture when praying, like Ephesians 1:15-19 or 3:14-21.
- What you pray for yourself could also be prayed for the missionary as he may have similar needs, concerns, and problems.
If God is calling you to be part of our missionary team as an intercessor, follow the link below to receive regular prayer requests and information.
Great insights into the life and struggles/challenges of missionary life. These things apply in a lesser degree to the church planter, even if he is working in his own country.
I would only add that the prayers of Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:14-21, and Colossians 1:9-12 are powerful and can be used to pray for any Christian worker or missionary.
God bless you guys… keep up the good work!
Thank you Bill. I agree completely. It really doesn’t matter where you are. We all deal with opposition in one form or another. Isn’t it awesome to know that the thing meant to tear us down is the thing God uses to build us up! We serve an awesome God. He truly will keep us in perfect peace when our eyes are fixed upon Him! God Bless you Bill!