Praying for Missionaries . . . Biblically
By Dave Butts

The most effective prayer is one that comes directly from God's Word. When we see something in the Bible and know it to be God's will, then we are able to pray with greater faith. This especially applies to our prayer for missionaries. In the Bible, we find a number of prayer requests from the first great missionary, the Apostle Paul. Each of these requests should be included in our prayers for missionaries.

1. Acceptance. Paul (as are missionaries today) was rightly concerned about how other believers perceived and accepted his ministry. Many missionaries are damaged or discouraged, not by those they are trying to reach with the gospel, but by other missionaries. Each is focused and called by God, but may have a different idea about how to reach a particular group of people. "Pray . . . that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there" (Ro. 15:31).

2. Boldness. The request is made for courage in presenting the gospel. Getting on an airplane to fly across the ocean does not automatically make a missionary bold. "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" (Eph. 6:19).

3. Clarity. Paul didn't want to be misunderstood, but rather to be able to communicate the gospel clearly. Can you imagine how difficult it is for a missionary to learn a new language, or try to translate the Bible into a language that has never been written down before? "Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" (Col. 4:4).

4. Deliverance. There is a place for the prayer of deliverance from the attack of the enemy, from whatever direction the attack may come. Missionaries need prayers of protection from physical, emotional, and spiritual harm as they serve Christ in a different culture. "Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea" (Ro. 15:31).

5. Extension. Paul asks for prayer that his ministry may be extended beyond its current boundaries. "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains" (Col. 4:3).

6. Fruitfulness. Paul, like all missionaries, was concerned about church growth. He wanted to see the gospel spread and be accepted. "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you" (2 Thess. 3:1).

The six specific headings for prayer are taken from Prayer Life by T.W. Hunt and Catherine Walker, published by the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board. Dave Butts is the director of Harvest Prayer Ministries. This article is taken from Pray!, Issue 1, May 1997.

Nitty Gritty Prayers for Missionaries By Lucinda Norman

If you're like me, when you pray for missionaries, you want to go beyond standard, saintly, sanitized prayers and straight to the nitty-gritty issues. I have found these words from Gary Chamberlin&emdash;an experienced missionary and Christian worker&emdash;helpful in targeting the issues that often cause missionaries to become discouraged or abandon the field.

1. Disagreements. Lack of communication between missionaries, their supervisors, and local workers can cause conflicts, gossip, and division. Disagreement may stem from competition, theological differences, different ministry visions, or personality clashes.

Distance can interfere with the resolution of family issues, depleting missionaries spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

2. Sexual purity and fidelity. Sexual immorality is one of Satan's most effective weapons for eliminating missionaries. Both single and married missionaries face its temptations. Missionaries must learn behavioral nuances that are insignificant in the States, but hold a different sexual meaning in another culture. Newsstand, video, and live pornography is international and can tempt missionaries. Infidelity can occur abroad as easily as here, so strong marriages and open communication between spouses are crucial.

3. The drive to succeed. Missions agencies often promote successful missionaries to administrative positions in the home base, drawing them away from the field. Success can cause missionaries to forget that God, not they, are moving people's hearts. Striving to succeed in God's work often means long work hours and ministry-related traveling, tempting missionaries to neglect their spouses and families. They need a way to establish a God-pleasing balance between home and ministry.

Slow numerical progress can also discourage missionaries, especially when they hear reports of others' success. This can create a spiritual crisis for missionaries, making them doubt their calling and doubt God.

4. Government instability. Changes in government may force missionaries from the field or endanger them. Currency-exchange fluctuations can cause their cost of living to increase substantially.

5. Health problems. Illness in a missionary's family can be an added strain. Does the country's medical knowledge match America's? An illness that is eradicated in the States may still plague a host country. Missionaries also struggle with guilt over their inability to help or visit sick relatives who are an ocean away.

6. Children's education. What is the quality of the field country's schools? Will the children assimilate well with native children? Will local schools adequately prepare them for college? Should children attend a missionary-kids' boarding school? Should the children stay with relatives in the U.S. for school? What will schooling alternatives cost? How should these decisions be made?

7. Homesickness. Missionaries miss their homes and their native culture and climate while in the field. They experience culture shock as they adjust to their new way of life. They can also experience reverse culture shock and disappointed expectations when they return home for visits!

Lucinda Norman is a freelance writer from Brookville, PA. This article is taken from Pray!, Issue 10, Jan/Feb 1999.