Suppose you are passionate about missions. You have probably seen the problem of church members being indifferent or at least lacking connection to both your missions efforts and your church’s missionaries. Searching for a solution to this can be challenging. Any event you hold and nearly every way you can deliver content can be ignored, or worse, even if it is received, it might not create that passionate connection that is necessary for genuine Christian care.
We believe that prayer events like the ones MissioSERVE trains churches to host are the answer to this problem. Prayer creates connection and passion for our brothers and sisters in Christ as we see in Ephesians 6:
[18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (ESV)
As Paul asked, we should pray for our missionaries. Not just pray for them as they appear on a list of prayer needs, but rather pray for their strength and encouragement. As Paul prayed for his fellow believers and workers, we should follow his example and pray for their spiritual strength for the mission.
We believe that prayer events like the ones MissioSERVE trains churches to host are the answer to this problem. Prayer creates connection and passion for our brothers and sisters in Christ as we see in Ephesians 6:
[18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (ESV)
As Paul asked, we should pray for our missionaries. Not just pray for them as they appear on a list of prayer needs, but rather pray for their strength and encouragement. As Paul prayed for his fellow believers and workers, we should follow his example and pray for their spiritual strength for the mission.
[14] For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [Ephesians 3:14–19 ESV]
This kind of prayer carries little meaning without personal knowledge. When you ask the church to pray this way for missionaries, your church cares about and believes in their mission that your church supports, and your people will care about knowing your missionaries. When you lead your people to pray for their missionaries as family, they will no longer be content to treat them as strangers.
Author
Brian W
Brian served 14 years in the Republic of Georgia, where he started a youth ministry, discipled new leaders, and planted over 15 new churches before serving in leadership of another missions organization. Brian is married to Maia and they have two children.
Brian served 14 years in the Republic of Georgia, where he started a youth ministry, discipled new leaders, and planted over 15 new churches before serving in leadership of another missions organization. Brian is married to Maia and they have two children.