Focus On Missions

How to pray for missionaries — Prayer and missions

"Pray for us." -- Hebrews 13:18

Making your "concerts of prayer" effective: Praying for world evangelism's front-line workers

Want to know how to pray for those working to fulfill Jesus' Great Commission among those yet unreached?

You can use your fingers as memory aids when you pray for missions. Here's how those fingers become prayer points:

1. Thumb
   Since your thumb is nearest to you, begin by praying for those missionaries closest to you. They are the easiest ones to remember. C.S. Lewis said that praying for those we love is a "sweet duty."
   
2. Index or pointing finder
   Let your "pointing finger" remind you to pray for missionaries who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and evangelists. They need support and wisdom for pointing others in the right direction.
   
3. Middle finger
   Our tallest finger reminds us of our church leaders. We can never pray too much for them. Pray for those who supervise and direct missionary outreach.
   
4. Ring finger
   Surprisingly, the ring finger is our weakest finger (as any piano teacher will testify). This weak finger reminds us to pray for those missionaries who are discouraged, in trouble, or in pain.
   
5. Little finger
   Our little finger is the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place our individual wants and desires in relation to world evangelism needs. The Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for the people of the world who have the greatest need to find Jesus. Pray that they will open their eyes and see Him.
   
   --Author unknown

Seven things all missionaries need . . . and which people forget to lift them up in prayer over:

1. Victory over mental stagnation
   
2. Freshness in prayer and in Bible teaching
   
3. Guidance in how to present the Gospel
   
4. Deliverance from the temptation to pride
   
5. Wisdom in relationships with other missionaries
   
6. Strength to overcome temptations brought on by loneliness
   
7. A saving sense of humor

From a missionary: Specifics to pray for

When traveling . . .

• That missionaries will pass effortlessly through customs and immigration lines
  
• That the planes on which missionaries travel will not encounter mechanical problems or trouble from terrorists
  
• That our missionaries will make all their connections

Health and safety objectives

• Protection for the missionaries from accidents, crime, natural disasters, terrorists, and dangerous animals
  
• Protection for the missionaries from sickness
  
• That missionaries will find time for proper sleep, rest, and exercise
  
• That missionaries' food and water needs will be met

Spiritual watchcare objectives

• Times of intimacy for missionaries with Jesus in Bible, prayer and worship
  
• Shielding for the missionaries from dark forces in spiritual realms
  
• Preservation for missionaries from discouragement, fear, and doubt
  
• That missionaries will demonstrate purity, humility, boldness, wisdom, patience, love for people, a teachable spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit

Teamwork objectives

• That teams of missionaries will experience and express unity, love, good communication, patience, and spiritual gifts
  
• That missionaries will resist temptations toward jealousy, envy, bitterness, and pride
  
• That missionaries will be granted grace for cultural adjustments, dealing with jet lag, being away from family and friends and lack of privacy
  
• For missionaries to have wisdom to design and implement effective efforts that will make a long-term difference here . . . and that they will be able to establish and maintain a solid friendship with government officials and other leaders in their chosen land.

BLESS -- an acronym to guide your prayer for a missionary

B -- Body

Pray for physical health and nutrition.

L - Labor.

Pray for their work.

E - Emotions.

Pray for emotional health and well-being of the missionary

S - Social.

Pray for their social relations, their families and extended families. Pray that God will keep marriages together.

S - Spiritual.

Pray for their spiritual condition.