Praying for Missionaries: for Spiritual Renewal!

 

 Pray for Spiritual renewal

Pray for Spiritual Renewal!

".so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company" Romans 15:32 (NASB - Emphasis added).

• Pray that the missionaries seek the Holy Spirit and be encouraged by Him.
• Pray that they have the discipline to study the Word of God, to pray faithfully so that God will reward him publicly.
• Pray that they will have good Christian fellowship with other believers.

"I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" Romans 15:30 (NIV).

Prayer is so Important to Mission Work!

The Apostle Paul was a missionary and a man of prayer.  He prayed for those who did not know Christ.  He prayed for the believers and for the new churches established through his ministry.  He also asked other believers to pray for him.  "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" Romans 15:30 (NIV).

The Apostle Paul also knew that prayer bears fruit:

"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" 2 Corinthians 1:10, 11 (NIV).

In his epistle, Paul gave specific prayer requests for the believers to pray.  As a prayer "partner" of missionaries, you also will be a part of the impact that the Lord makes around the world.

The Apostle Paul understood the greatest need of missionaries.

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV).
Thank you for praying

Praying for Missionaries: For Protect\ion, Harmony Among Beleivers,and God's Direction

Pray for protection ¨... pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith" 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV).

• Pray that God will protect them from those who seek to do them harm.
• Pray that God will change the hearts of those who oppose the Word of God and those who bring it.

Pray that there will be harmony and acceptance among the believers

"Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;" Romans 15:30,31 (NIV).

Cooperation and support are essential for the progress of the missionary work.

• Pray that the ministry and the attitude of the missionaries are acceptable and that their colleagues and other believers support them.

Pray for God's direction and help while they travel

"...so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company" Romans 15:32 (NIV).

Missionaries travel frequently and their mode of transportation varies greatly.  Many times traveling produces tension.  Pray for things that are needed when they travel: protection, favorable travel conditions, visas and permission, etc.

Praying for Missionaries: That the Word of God is Proclaimed

Pray for Missionaries:  Pray that the Word God is proclaimed without obstacles

 "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you" 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV).

In order for the Word of God to flow freely, the obstacles have to be removed.  The enemy is trying to hinder the work of God and has to be resisted.. In the same way that Aaron and Hur supported the arms of Moses in the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:12) you can support the tired arms of the missionaries with your prayers. We are reminded that our fight is against the spiritual forces of evil that attack in any area. (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The Word of God, when proclaimed, is the avenue to personal transformation and miracles.  It is the power of the Gospel that breaks the chains that bind.

Praying for Missionairies: Open Doors and Courage to Witness

Seven ways to pray according to the Apostle Paul.

1. Pray for open doors
2. Pray for courage to witness
3. Pray that the Word God is proclaimed without obstacles
4. Pray for protection
5. Pray that there will be harmony and acceptance among the believers
6. Pray for God's direction and help while they travel
7. Pray for renewal

1.  Pray for open doors

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds..." Colossians 4:2,3

We cannot take for granted that there are open doors everywhere. Many missionaries work in countries with restricted access or in areas that are resistant to the Gospel, where, even though there are open doors, there are closed hearts.

• Pray that God will guide the missionaries as they cross barriers and find hearts ready to receive the Word of God.
• Pray that God opens doors for ministry, partnership and friendship.
• Pray that those serving would be guided by the Holy Spirit and be able to recognize opportunities.

2. Pray for courage to witness

 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should"
Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV).

Why do we have to pray for courage for our missionaries?
They need courage to:

• Minister effectively in other cultures and languages
• Defeat the power of the enemy's opposition
• Conquer fear of failure and shame.

Praying for Healing -- the Insights of James 5th Chapter

Is your heart heavy over a sick friend or family member? Do you wish there were something you could do to help? You can take your friend or family member to the Lord in prayer. Here is a Bible verse and a prayer to help you ask God for healing.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:15-16 (NIV)

Dear Lord, 

You know my friend/family member so much better than I do. You know his/her sickness and the burden he carries. You also know his heart. Lord, I ask you to be with my friend now, working in his life. Let your will be done in my friend's life. If there is a sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, Lord, please help him to see his need and confess. Lord, I pray for my friend because your Word says I should pray for his healing. I believe you hear this earnest prayer from my heart and that it is powerful because of your promise.

I have faith in you to heal my friend, but I also trust in the plan you have for his life. Lord, I don't always understand your ways, and why my friend has to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward my friend. Nourish his spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort him with your presence. Let my friend know you are there with him through this difficulty. And may you be glorified in his life and also in mine.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Pray for Christians in Other Countries Who Are Under Attack -- And Thank God for Your Freedom

Pray for Christians in Other Countries That Are Under Attack, Such as This Woman

---Christian woman forced into slavery in Pakistan

Ejaz Masih, his children, and other family members organized a sit-in, demanding that police intervene. Photo from AsiaNews

A group of Muslims recently abducted Sana, a Christian mother of two, in Fatehpuh Kasur, Pakistan. Ejaz Masih, Sana's husband who works as a labourer, took out a loan in order to provide medical treatment for his ill father. When his Muslim landlord heard about the loan, he demanded that Ejaz repay it within two weeks, saying, "We'll come and take your wife and children to work for us as slaves. You have no choice [but pay].... You are lowlife and will always be our slave. We Muslims are superior to any other religion." A few days later, on September 3, a group of armed Muslims confronted the family, throwing Ejaz to the ground, abducting his wife and beating his father. When his mother called for help, neighbours came out but no one tried to stop the kidnappers. His brother contacted police but they refused to register the complaint. (Source: AsiaNews) Pray for Sana's release. Pray for wisdom and comfort for her family. Ask God to help them to respond in a Christ-like manner to this injustice. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).
For more on the trials facing Christians in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report
  Information sent tor us by Voice of the Martyrs Christian organziation.

Thoughts About Praying for Healing -- Praise God for His Healing Touch!

Pray for wisdom when you pray for someone's healing. Pray for guidance of the Holy Spirit. Enrich your prayers with Scripture when you pray for the sick. Pray according to the promises of God. Also remember that not all promises are relevant or valid in every case.  Remember to saturate your prayer with Praise and Worship when praying for a sick person. It gives Glory to God's work and faith to your own heart.

The principles of spiritual warfare, our authority in Christ and His victory over the evil one, are of utmost importance when there is the possibility of a demonic onslaught. We must bind the evil one in the Name of the Lord Jesus, break and resist his works.

Testify to what the Lord has done. It gives others confidence to pray and it strengthens their faith in God's ability to heal. Testimonies like these often contribute to the conversion of others and the returning of those who have backslidden.

Make a note when you pray for someone who is ill and write down the answers. You will be astonished when you see how many people that you have prayed for were healed.
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All Christians may pray for the sick. Mark 16:17-18 says: "And these signs will accompany those who believe... they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well." Go with boldness to the Lord when praying for sick people.

The time has come for James 5:13-15 to become normal practice in the church of the Lord again. "Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of The Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned he will be forgiven."

• God uses different "methods" to heal people:
o God heals through the laying on of hands
o God heals through the anointing with oil and faithful prayer
o God sometimes heals people at communion
o God heals people in answer to intercession for them
o God uses doctors and medication to heal people.

• Remember when you pray for someone or for yourself that healing does not always occur overnight or immediately. It can sometimes take days or weeks before someone is completely healed.

• In Exodus 15:26 The Lord call Himself Jahweh-Ropheka, it means: The Lord who heals you. It is God's Name, it is who He is, what He can do and what He wants to do. When you pray for the sick, pray to God who calls Himself Jahweh-Roph