Praying For Your Missionaries

We were blessed to be part of a send-off service for one of our missionary families Sunday night. They have been on furlough, visiting churches to share the highs and lows of their ministries. Now they'll make the journey back to the mission field with our love and prayers.

And prayers are the most coveted gift we can give a missionary. If they're on a foreign field, they're away from family and their sending church. They're burdened for the souls and hearts of the people there, but Satan wants them distracted and frustrated. He wants them thinking about anything other than sharing the gospel. That's why our prayers are so vitally important while they're serving the Lord on the mission field.

Our pastor presented a list of seven ways we can specifically pray for the life of a missionary and his family. While it's always great to read their prayer letters and get updated on their individual requests, this is one way to cover all the bases.

1. Health and stress - If the missionary isn't physically strong and healthy, they're unable to do the work they've been called to do. They're also more susceptible to foreign diseases and viruses because they haven't built up an immunity to them. Pray that God will put of hedge of protection around their bodies.

2. Safety - Not every country is blessed with a relatively safe environment like we have in the United States. Pray for the missionary and his family in their home, when they travel and for their church building and property. Prayers for security can include protecting them from evil people with evil intentions and even natural disasters and accidents.

3. Finances - Support from churches in the States is what keeps the missionaries and their works going. Building and maintaining a consistent level of monetary support can be a burden and a drain on their minds and lives. Pray for the hearts of people to step up and give what is needed, and more. Also ask the Lord to help the missionary spend what they receive in wise ways, being the best stewards of those finances they can be.

4. Children and family - If the missionary's family is miserable on the field, the ministry will suffer. But if our prayers for their love, support and encouragement are continuous, God will show them ways to thrive in this foreign environment. Pray that each member of their family will find their place in the work, and that family back home will do everything in their power to help and uplift them.

5. Use time wisely - Missionaries have the same 24 hours in a day as anyone else, but there are so many more obligations pulling them in different directions. Pray that they will balance the work in their churches, soul-winning and discipling new believers.

6. Cultural adjustments - Every country and neighborhood has its own unique environment, and they're often drastically different than what the missionary is used to. Understanding what is culturally acceptable and what is taboo can truly make a difference in the vibrancy of a ministry. Pray that they will settle into the country's lifestyle and know what to say and how to say it in any situation.

7. Spiritual life - Perhaps the most important prayer need of any missionary, staying close to the Lord every day can change his life and the lives of the people he interacts with. Pray that personal Bible reading, studying and praying will be the most important part of their day. Without this vital component, every other aspect of their life will suffer.

I encourage you to take time every day to lift up your church's missionaries in prayer. Your love, support and encouragement has such a positive impact on the life of these servants of God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Recovering An Old Card Table And Making It Usable Again

Image
This card table recover project has been on my to-do list for months. I've been using it as my workspace in the craft room for quite some time, and it sees a lot of abuse. Here it is now, with a neutral cover on it so I can take better pictures for my tutorials. There were dents and dings in the old blue covering from metal tools. And yes, I've used my embossing heat tool on it several times, leaving pretty good scars. The padding underneath the blue cover also made it difficult to keep paper crafts flat when adhering them together, so it was time for something new. That's where a simple vinyl tablecloth comes in handy. The process to recover the table is pretty simple, but I learned a couple of lessons the hard way. I share them with you now. First, don't do this on any surface but a carpet. I tried it on the deck int he sunshine to get better pictures, but all it did was tear up the cover. Second, get a second pair of hands to help you kee
Read more

Simple DIY Beaded Keychains

Image
We're having so much fun putting together goodie bags and door prizes for our upcoming ladies retreat at the church. So many of our ladies have donated craft supplies, decorations, time and energy to treat our visitors to an amazing time. These keychains are just one of the gifts some of the attendees will find in their bags. All you need to make them are a variety of beads, some fairly thin yet sturdy cord and a jump ring. Cut a length of cord, fold it in half and string it through the jump ring. String matching beads on both sides. And tie it off with a double knot. So simple, yet so pretty. Here's another variation: Cut a length of cord, fold it in half and thread it through a jump ring. Tie one or two beads on one side and tie it off with a knot. Make the other side longer with additional letters and beads before tying it off. Make a variety of lengths, colors, patterns and phrases so no two are alike.
Read more

Debilitating Disappontment

The things of this life tend to disappoint us. People aren't who we'd like them to be, events we'd hoped for never occur and things we'd expected to happen in a certain way never come to pass. I've tried relying on everything else in this life - relationships, career, better finances. When we look to mankind for answers or for hope, we will surely be disappointed. Our own misconceptions of life's circumstances leads us down a long, dreary path. What we plan and see inside our head doesn't always match what others see, or what may actually be reality. Looking into ourselves for "clarity" directs us straight to depression and failure. Have you ever heard yourself say, "I couldn't care less" and truly meant it? Having confidence in our own power to change our outlook means that we care more about the circumstances themselves rather than how to grow as Christian women. God is the only unchanging factor in our uncertain world. Focusing on
Read more