Please read PS. 86:1-10

I have incorporated information from several sources to put this study together. They are listed below. I used some of the thoughts from the sources and expanded them with other thoughts/illustrations.

I would take this opportunity for the many mission agencies that put out information for their missionaries to give away while visiting churches. I have been challenged and educated in missions by much of this information over the years.

"HOW TO PRAY FOR MISSIONARIES" Pamphlet from CBFMS.

"HOW TO PRAY FOR MISSIONARIES "Tape by Dr. Dick Hillis

"PRAYER IS THE LIFELINE TO MISSIONS" Pamphlet from the Great Commission Prayer League.

"HOW TO PRAY FOR ME" Pamphlet from Sudan Interior Mission.

ARTICLE ON REAR OF PRAYER CALENDAR FROM CBFMS.

OUTLINE:

I. HOW TO PRAY

II. HOW NOT TO PRAY

III. WHAT TO PRAY FOR

A.PRAYERS IN THE POSITIVE

B.PRAYERS IN THE NEGATIVE

INTRO: While pastoring a church in Nebraska we had the pleasure of inviting many missionaries into our home.

One Wednesday evening a young couple came. They represented New Tribes Mission in Papau New Guinea. We fed them supper and the whole family was just right and proper. Their slides and presentation were very well done. The question answer session went nicely.

Everyone from the church left (We were meeting in our home.) and We told the folks to relax and make themselves comfortable for the night. We got the kids to bed and began to talk. As we fellowshipped we began to talk about the "Missionary image" -- the straight lace, proper look and the super spiritual image -- I told them to relax as if it were their home. They both kicked off their shoes. He took off his tie and coat and pulled his shirt tail out and rolled up his sleeves. She relaxed considerably as well.

We offered to tape music for them to take back to the field. They began looking through our music and found that we had older country western music. They went crazy over it. They liked it but had very little of it on the field.

As the evening wore on it became more and more evident that these were just plain people.

After they left we requested that their mission place us on their prayer letter list. In fact we ask for it several times but never received one. (They may not send one out!)

I prayed for them daily for a number of years and still do from time to time.

How do I pray for them when they send no requests?

I prayed for them as just plain folks. I decided if they liked country western they might get homesick -- they might get depressed -- they might get bored -- they might need money -- they might need to send out prayer letters.

How do you pray for just a name -- maybe someone that you've never met? Hopefully when we finish with this study you will know how. Hopefully when we finish with this study you will know how to pray more effectively for all missionaries.

This study is centered on Missions but applies equally to pastors and one another.

Please read Exodus 17:8-13

"Moses hands were heavy" It wasn't that the rod was neither magic nor that it had to be in the air. It was just that the Israelites needed to remember that was what was needed in the battle. The rod was a symbol throughout the journeys of Israel. As long as his hands were held high --- SUCCESS!

This is similar to what happens on the mission field. As long as prayer is held aloft the missionaries ministries flourish and the Devil is in defeat, but the moment prayer drops off the Devil begins to take the advantage.

This moves us to the question: How can we pray more effectively for missionaries?

I asked this question in California and the pastors reply was - stop lieing to one another. We all say Oh, I'm praying for you - do we? He said he believes many people lie about this. We have the best intentions at the moment but never give footwork to our intent.

LUKE 10:2 Lays important ground work for our study. "Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore the Lord of the Harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest."

PRAYERS (PEOPLE)

LABORERS (PEOPLE)

THESE TWO ARE COLABORERS WITH GOD. Indeed, the "ye" were the Disciples and they were sent.

THE PRAYERS BECAME THE SENT ONES! BE CAREFUL HOW YOU PRAY! YOU MIGHT GET INVOLVED!

In the past this text has been used to show that laborers are few. Today this is still true but more to the point ---- pray-ers are few.

The emphasis is not at the moment on more workers to commit themselves but that the Lord would send forth those that are ready to go. Praying is not being done in proper amounts in this country today!

This involves a great responsibility. After we have prayed then we should be willing to go and willing to enable to go.

Evangelism is a spiritual battle that needs to be waged with spiritual weapons ---- PRAYER.

So, how do we pray?

PRAY INTELLIGENTLY:

Be informed about those you pray for.

PRAYER CARDS:

PRAYER LETTERS: How many of you read the prayer letters that are posted on the bulletin board? How many of you read the prayer letters that you receive at your homes?

PERSONEL LETTERS: I was privileged to go to visit missionaries in Ireland years ago, and one of the highlights for the whole family was when the mail came. They would gather in the living room to see if there were any letters from home. The parents would read these letters aloud to the children. Even the letters from churches and supporters were read. The whole family knew who was praying for them - a very special time to each of them.

Get to know them at church. Have them in your home for a meal or overnight if you have room. Keep an account of their ministry in a scrapbook. Keep a list of needs based on their prayer letters. Keep track of their kids age and the problems they might be going through. Keep track of when a loved one dies and pray especially for them on those anniversaries. (Husband or wife)

Pray for the men that are in the 35-45 bracket when they might have a time of adjustment. Pray for aging women and their physical problems.

PRAY REPEATEDLY: Never give up until it's been answered or until the missionary tells you the Lord has answered no. Paul mentions praying night and day and he also mentions praying without ceasing. (We'll see these refs. later. I Thes. 2:13; 5:17)

PRAY AS THE SPIRIT LEADS YOU: Pray at first in general but then allow the Spirit to lead you to certain ones to pray for specifically. We have recently heard of a mission that requires each new worker to find 100 people that will promise to pray for him or her daily. This is required before they can leave for the field.

The Lord may lay a burden on your heart to pray for someone or something for no reason at all. Do it.

A case is very vivid to me in recent years. As I was praying - my mind tends to think - pray - think - pray etc. My mind came to rest on a couple at our church. We didn't know them well - I had decided we'd have them over - I felt they had need of prayer. I prayed for them in a general way, not knowing their needs. That afternoon I learned that at the time I was praying for them he had had an heart attack and had died. I had been praying for "Whatever their needs were".

PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING: The psalmists were very good at intertwining their thanksgiving with their prayers. Paul was heavy on thanksgiving. Col.4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Phil. 4:6 "With thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." I Tim. 2:1 "I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."

Missionaries should be heavy into letting you know how and when your prayers have been answered on their behalf as well.

MAKE IT REGULAR: Take a specific time of the day when you are going to meet with God. Don't let anything come between you and that time, short of an emergency. The time of day does not matter. However many people find in the morning when their mind and body is fresh is best for many people. Paul prayed day and night we are told in II Tim. 1:3 which is a good example to us!

Whenever you do it remember Paul comments in Col. 4:2 the NASB puts it in a light that I can relate to "devote yourselves to prayer keeping alert in it...."

CONSIDER IT AS A DUTY TO BE DONE FOR GOD THE SAME AS TEACHING A CLASS OR LEADING A BIBLE STUDY. IT IS A VITAL MINISTRY!

EXERCISE FAITH: Pray believing that God is going to answer! The some friends of ours out on the mission field ministering to servicemen, needed a large house for their ministry. When God answered the prayers of many He did it in a fine way. In Germany when you rent a house you rent a house. You do not get appliances, curtains, curtain rods, light fixtures etc. etc. The house God provided had it all and the landlords were great people as well.

PRAY FOR ALL SAINTS FOR WE ARE ALL MISSIONARIES OF ONE SORT OR ANOTHER: Eph. 6:18 "Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

PRAY RIGHTEOUSLY: Do not try to petition God while living in sin. He won't be listening as closely as if you were on holy ground. I Pet. 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears attend unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those that do evil." I've heard people that are openly disobedient to the Word state, "We've prayed about this decision and know it is what God wants us to do!" Baloney" God wants obedience before He leads"

HOW NOT TO PRAY

DON'T CONSIDER THIS A FAVOR TO THE MISSIONARY OR TO GOD. IT IS A MINISTRY THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO EACH OF US.

DON'T GIVE UP EVEN THOUGH DISCOURAGEMENT MAY SET IN. PAUL ASKED THE ROMANS TO STRIVE WITH HIM ABOUT HIS MINISTRY. (Rom. 15:30)

I try to pray for many items so that if one item is "ON WAIT" from God I see other areas answered so that I don't get discouraged at not seeing prayer answered.

DON'T SUBSTITUTE PRAYING FOR MISSIONS FOR GOING YOURSELF. IF GOD HAS CALLED YOU, THEN GO.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO JUDGE PEOPLE WHEN YOU HEAR FROM THE FIELD. IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING IS WRONG ASK GOD TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

We have wondered about things from time to time concerning the missionaries we support personally. I have decided to just pray for the situation instead of worrying about it. God led us to give to these people and we were obedient. Now it is the persons job to be a wise steward with the gift. His job not mine. One of the missionaries we supported in Germany mentioned a trip to the mountains to ski. NOW! I can't afford to go ski - much less go the mountains - He's doing it on my money - WELL! The next letter mentioned another trip to ski - both were retreats for service men - wellll okay --

God asks us to give, not give and regulate the spending!

WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR?

Pray for all their needs. If someone told you they wanted to pray for you what would you tell them to pray for? Missionaries have the same needs.

MONEY

FAMILY

KIDS

SUPPLY OF FOOD

SAFETY ON ROADS

STRONG SPIRITUAL LIFE

You might remember that their problems seem somewhat harsher in that they are away from the security of the U.S. and away from families.

After only two weeks in Ireland, when I stepped to the ticket desk at J.F.K. airport in New York the agent spoke and a relief came! HOME! I hadn't noticed the strain before that point.

PRAYER IN THE POSITIVE:

1. More workers for the field. I don't know of a mission that couldn't put a hundred or two hundred people to work immediately if they had them available.

2. Help raise money for missions & then pray that God will raise up more supporters.

3. Ask God to get only qualified people to the field. If any are not right ask that they be kept home. Remember, however that all that stay home may not be problem people. Indeed, some might not fit into the culture on the field yet do a fantastic job here at home. A friend prepared to go to Sweden - went - couldn't handle the language physically - had to return to the states. Very expensive. However he is very active with another mission agency in this country.

4. Pray for the salvation of individuals on the field by name. Get involved in the missionaries work and the people he is ministering to. Only God can open a persons heart and mind to the Gospel.

One of the single girls I used to pray for gave reports on a family that she was ministering to in her letters. It was like reading of someone that we were witnessing to. You become involved with lost peoples lives even though they are half a world away.

5. Pray for national people to take over in part of the ministry. We have been excited about the Navajo Indians in Colorado sending evangelistic teams to Canada. This is missions in action!

6. Pray for good health for the missionaries and strength to carry on.

7. Pray that God will help them through language school and help them to become good communicators.

8. Pray that God will give the missionary and his family a love for their new home and people. Some people we have talked with view the field as their home and furlough as something that they have to do from time to time. Others feel they are trapped in a very backward country. I overheard a worker after eating in a very top-notch place to eat on the field "well it's not to bad a place I guess - The best you can find over here."

9. Pray that God will give them a strong will to complete the task set before them. Discouragement is heavy when you are alone! Paul must have had his low times just as we do. II Cor. 1:8 "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life."

10.Pray that they will have wisdom in planning their future ministry. One error in judgment can be disastrous.

11. Pray that God will give boldness in their witness. They must be forward and outgoing in their contacts. This is not one of the prime assets of many missionaries. Indeed it is not a prime asset in most people. I recently took a personality - career - ministry test and it was mentioned that the vast majority of people feel they work best in a very small group as opposed to larger groups. Eph. 6:19 "That utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel," EVEN PAUL ASKED FOR BOLDNESS!

12. Pray that God will oversee their finances and help them to deal wisely with what they have been given. That they have enough. That they are frugal.

13. Pray for their children and their obedience. Pray for their salvation and spiritual maturing. Pray that they would adjust to all the changes in their lives.

14. Pray for open doors of service for them. Col. 4:3 "Praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ"

15. Pray for the governments over them as well as the U.S. government as they deal with foreign powers. I Tim. 2:1-2 "I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

Pray for safety from the terrorists of the world. Most missions tell workers up front that they will not negotiate and they will not pay ransom. In the 1990's several men were taken captive and held for years. How terrible for the families as well as the men and their ministry.

16. Pray for their travels and abilities to get where they need to go. Paul ask for prayers concerning upcoming trips. Philemon 22;I Thess. 3:10.

17. Pray for the spread of the Gospel in their area. II Thess. 3:1 "Finally brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified,"

18. A final very important item of prayer is the need to pray for the missionaries supporting churches and for that matter all churches in this country.

FOR REVIVAL

FOR RENEWEL OF MISSION FERVOR

FOR COMMON COURTESY ON THE PART OF PASTORS WHEN THEY ARE CONTACTED

FOR OPEN HOMES TO HOUSE AND FEED MISSIONARIES THAT NEED A NIGHTS REST

FOR COMMITMENT TO CARRY THROUGH ON PROMISES OF MEETINGS AND HELP

We have missionaries that have lost so much support while on the field that they have to come back for six months to raise enough to remain on the field till furlough.

PRAYERS IN THE NEGATIVE:

1. Ask that god will keep them from loneliness or at least give them the ability to cope with it so that it doesn't affect decisions and the ministry.

2. Ask that they won't loose touch with their own country. You can help by sending them articles from the paper or magazines. Write to them and fill them in on what is happening in this country.

I asked one missionary if a subscription would be good. He said an airmail one would be too costly and a regular one would be stale news by the time they received it. I try to select something that is current and send a short outline of it or a good article.

3. Ask that the Lord would keep them from spiritual lukewarmness. You might help by sending a tape of a good message or some Christian magazines.

4. Ask that laziness not be allowed to creep in. It's easy to say, "Oh, one morning of sleeping in won't hurt." In fact the next time it is easier and easier and EASIER etc.

5. Ask that they be kept from situations in which morals might be challenged beyond limits.

6. Ask that pride not be allowed to find a stronghold. Ask that the Lord would set a fall in motion before the pride is too large.

7. Ask that anxiety or worry not become troublesome to them. Over the many problems of just living not to mention the problems of the ministry.

Most of what we've spoken of can relate to people we do not know.

Praying specifically is the best way however general prayers are answered specifically as well.

From an article in Eternity Magazine P. G. Zimmerman (He listed several topics and expanded them. I have taken topics and given application of my own.)

1. LOVE THE LORD: This is the key to being able to stay in some countries. To know the Lord loves you and that He has placed you there and that He is going to supply your every need. Love Him, love His plan for your life and love walking with Him.

2. GENUINE LOVE FOR OTHERS: The Irish aren't a dirty people however they have some different ways. They re-use tea cups at times when you come in. They do not rinse dishes after washing them. The job is to love them as they are! God does not check hygiene at the pearly gates!

3. DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: This is true with all Christians - to be able to teach others we must be deeper than the ones we desire to teach. We need to be on a growing basis with the Lord, as our people should be.

4. SPIRIT - CONTROLLED LIVES: The Holy Spirit is essential to knowing how to approach people and when to witness to them. We must be slow yet not behind His leading. Mistakes often cost dearly on the field.

5. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Most foreigners continually watch to see if the missionaries loose their temper etc. The missionaries had better be clean living people if they are to pass their scrutiny!

6. WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE: Some of the isms of our day talk the same language that we do yet they are meaning something different usually. We need wisdom to know how to approach them and how to understand what they mean by what they say. Knowledge of the isms and their teaching are essential to answering their questions and helping them see the errors of their faith.

7. COURAGE: When in Ireland some of the people on literature distribution looked like they wanted to tear me apart. One older woman stepped to her door and said, "sonny, pick that up!" speaking of the tract I had placed at her door. I reached down and picked it up and handed it to her. She thanked me very nicely. She explained that she could not stoop over. When she first spoke I thought that I had really gotten myself into trouble.

8. RECEPTIVE HEARTS: Many people feel that their destiny is set in their church. They don't have a need to speak of spiritual things thus God must open their hearts and minds to the spiritual need that they have.

9. DISCIPLES: Most missions feel that the key to evangelizing the world is to train the nationals to go out doing the work of II Tim. 2:2. Discipleship is the key in many countries today. Teaching converts so that they can teach their converts etc.

10. A STRONG FAITH: Many are the accounts of modern day missionaries facing harsh trials even some unto death. It is a place for a very strong faith. A strong faith is essential to surviving under the pressure of living in a foreign country as well as the everyday pressures of living.

11. STEADFASTNESS: Some missions have ministered in the same area for 20 years with little result, but we know that many have been confronted with the Gospel. Some of these areas all of a sudden blossom into great works. Missionaries to the American Indians ministered for many years before seeing their first converts.

12. A STRONG FAMILY: A family problem on the field would be very harmful to the work and to the national believers. A strong family can also be a good example for the believers to pattern their families after.

That might give you some insight into those that you are thinking about supporting. Do you want to send them to the field as a good example of a family? Do they meet that standard?

13. PROTECTION:

Traveling

Dogs

Health

Terrorists

14. MATERIAL NEEDS: I am a stereo lover - I spotted a portable AM-FM with two cassette decks and a CD player - only $500. I was walking with my wife and said, "Come this way - I want to show you something I need!" She said, "Let's rethink this now - You need or you want? Always a critic isn't there? I said, "Oh, I need it - I need it to satisfy my covetousness." NO, I DIDN'T NEED THE STEREO!

THE MISSIONARY NEEDS TO REALIZE WHAT HIS NEEDS ARE. ONE SONG THAT HAS BEEN VISUALIZED FOR CHILDREN IS BASED ON MATT. 6:33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." As the kids sing of the Lord supplying their needs they see clothes, food, housing etc. and in the middle is a bright new bike. Now what are we teaching the kids? The needs are promised not the luxuries!

15. HEALTH AND STRENGTH: Health is a problem in some countries due to weather. Busy schedules tend to leave one fatigued and open for colds and flu bugs.

A young woman we met that had been to South America had contracted parasites and it took her over a year to get rid of them.

I'm sure that these items would be on the hearts of many missionaries around the world.

"NO CHRISTIAN IS GREATER THAN HIS PRAYER LIFE."

"The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing.

"Two prerequisites of dynamic Christian living are vision and passion, and both of these are generated in the prayer closet. The ministry of preaching is open to a few. The ministry of praying is open to every child of God.

"Don't mistake action for unction, commotion for creation, and rattles for revivals.

"The Secret of praying is praying in secret. A worldly Christian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness.

"Tithes may build a church, but tears will give it life. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church. Our emphasis is on paying, theirs was on praying. When we have paid, the place is taken. When they had prayed, the place was shaken.

"In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray." Author Unknown On a TEAM pamphlet.

Just picture missionaries as regular people. Just pray for them as regular people. Have you prayed for your own missionaries lately?

Prayer is not easy - it is laborious - it takes time - it takes effort - it takes commitment.

Let's commit ourselves to praying for the saints. Let's give of ourselves for the needs of others.

We need to pray for one another!

Let me give you one last example of what prayer can do. Our church is Salem had a day of prayer for us. The next day we received a gift of $500. The next day we received word that a church was going to back us. The next day a door opened for me to talk to a college that I had been trying to get into for three years. The next day I scheduled a meeting.

PRAYER WORKS!

Let us uphold our missionaries! Let us uphold our pastors! Let us uphold one another!