Seven Prayer Tools from the Apostle Paul

As Christians, prayer is our first and best line of defense. It is our open line of communication with our Creator and Father God. It is a way in which we can support each other -- continuously lifting each other up in intercessory prayer.

As missionaries, we covet your prayers. At the bottom of each monthly update letter, you'll find a "Prayers and Praises" section. You can print our Prayers and Praises and post them on your fridge to help you remember to pray for our family and our ministry.

The Apostle Paul, one of the first missionaries of the early church, spoke much about the power of prayer in the life of a missionary. Here are 7 ways to pray for missionaries...

Seven Prayer Tools
from the Apostle Paul

Copied from the website of Wycliffe Bible Translators

1- Pray for open doors.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
And pray for us, too,
that God may open a door for our message..."

Colossians 4:2,3 (NIV)

Open doors can't be taken for granted. Many missionaries work in restricted access countries, or areas which are resistant to the Gospel. And even where there are open doors, hearts may still not be open.

• Pray that God will lead missionaries through the barriers to find hearts prepared to receive His Word.
• Pray that the Lord will open doors of ministry, blessing partnership and friendships.
• Pray that those who serve will be led by the Holy Spirit and recognize these opportunities.

2- Pray for boldness in witnessing.

"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"

Ephesians 6:19 (NIV)

Why should we pray that missionaries will have boldness? They need it to:

• Minister effectively in other cultures and languages.
• Overcome the opposition of evil forces.
• Overcome the fear of embarrassment and fear of failure.

3- Pray that the Word of God will spread without hindrance.

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to pray for us.
Pray first that the Lord's message will spread rapidly
and be honored wherever it goes..."
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NLT).

Obstacles must be removed if the Word of God is to flow freely. Satan, who is determined to obstruct it, must be resisted (James 4:7). Just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses' arms in the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:12), you can support the weary arms of missionaries through your prayers. Remember that the struggle is against spiritual forces which can attack in any area (Ephesians 6:10­18).
4- Pray for protection.

"Pray, too, that we will be saved from wicked and evil people,
for not everyone believes in the Lord"
2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NLT).

• Pray that God will keep the Christian workers safe from those who might seek to harm them.
• Pray that God will change the hearts of those who are resistant to His Word and to those who share the gospel.
  

5- Pray that their ministry will be accepted by believers.

"Pray...that my service in Jerusalem
will be acceptable to the saints there"
Romans 15:31 (NIV).

Cooperation and partnership are essential to ministry and vital to the progress of the work. Pray that the missionary's ministry and attitudes will be worthy of acceptance and that fellow colleagues and believers will be supportive.
6- Pray for God's guidance and assistance in travel.

"Pray...so that by God's will I may come to you with joy"
Romans 15:32 (NIV).

Many missionaries travel frequently and the mode of transportation varies. Traveling often involves stressful situations. Pray for the protection, provision, timing and permission needed by missionaries as they travel.
7- Pray for refreshment.

"Pray that...I together with you may be refreshed"
Romans 15:32 (NIV).

• Pray that missionaries will seek and receive refreshment from the Holy Spirit.
• Pray that they will be disciplined in and rewarded through the study of God's Word and through faithful prayer.
• Pray that they will experience rich, spiritual fellowship with other believers.

Thank you a thousand times for your prayers for us

and those with whom we minister!