I am always encouraged when one of the brethren tells me that they are praying for my family and me. Every three months or so a pastor of one of our supporting churches in Alabama calls me to check on our family and tell me he is praying for us. That is encouraging. When we presented our work at a church in Colorado Springs this summer a gentleman told me that his ministry is one of intercession and that he would faithfully be praying for us every day. What a blessing. We need prayer.
At every church where we present the work God has called us to do in Italy we pass out prayer cards so that people might remember our family and lift us up to the Lord. Some have said they place the prayer card on their refrigerator, others alternate cards at every meal to pray over a different missionary before they eat. So far on deputation we have passed out over 7,000 prayer cards. We finally updated our picture to include Pearl and have ordered another 5,000 to pass out for the remainder of deputation.
We need your prayers. There are some very specific things that you can pray about for missionaries. Earlier this year I found a helpful article in a magazine that addressed how to pray for missionaries. I hope it will be of benefit as you intercede on the behalf of others. As I pray for missionaries I usually alternate between the various groupings listed below.
Pray for their spiritual life
that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit
that the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in their life
that they will have wisdom in making decisions
that God’s power will be upon them and souls will be saved
for harmonious relationships between husband, wife, and their children
Pray for their physical well being
for good health
for healing when illness occurs
for protection from harm and danger
for safety as they travel on the field, on deputation, and on furlough
Pray for their children
the education of their children
adjustment to the language, culture, and climate
while traveling on deputation and furlough
adjustment on returning to their home country
Pray for their cultural adjustments
ability in learning the language
adjustment to strange culture
for patience in establishing relationships with people
for comfortable housing as a refuge in a strange environment
Pray for good relationships
within the home
with missionary peers
with the government
with the national believers
with unsaved neighbors
Pray for their financial needs
adequate monthly support
resources for special projects: land, buildings, vehicles, etc.
funds for education of children
crippling inflation
Pray for their spiritual warfare
victory over temptation
moral purity
appropriating Christ as their life on a daily basis
freedom in Christ over evil spirits
for victory over loneliness and discouragement
Pray for their ministry
winning souls
baptizing and discipling new converts
planting churches
training workers
sending out national missionaries
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” 2 Thessalonians 3:1
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