Part one:
Pray for Individuals associated with missions
You find yourself involved in missions directly or indirectly. Now you are asking yourself, “is there anything else I could do to answer the call of missions?”
The answer is very simple, yet very powerful. Pray
Pray for the team leaders, team members, people and nations, mission logistics and outcomes.
There are so many things involved with and connected to the work of missions. There are both the normal flow of preparation and execution. Then there is the element of the unexpected and possible opposition.
Prayer is a key element in assisting in the mission of helping and serving others.
1 Timothy 2:1,3, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”
Pray for Individuals
Here are five areas that may help lead your thoughts in prayer for those who are a part of or involved in missions. It is not an exhausted list to address on behalf of others, but just a few to stir your heart and mind.
Pray for their spiritual connection, development and growth
It is so important to give time and effort to the disciplines that help us grow spiritually. Prayer, study, meditation and service unto the Lord are necessities to our Christian walk. “Dear Heavenly Father, daily draw them into a closer relationship with You. Allow them to mature spiritually that they can effectively fulfill Your purpose in, through and by them.”
Pray for their wisdom, knowledge and understanding
There needs to be direction, comprehension and cognizance in the dealings of our lives. We are not to aimlessly go through plans and intentions. “Gracious Lord, open the eyes of their understanding and pour out Your wisdom and knowledge. Lead, guide and direct their footsteps. Establish their thoughts. Let them acknowledge You in all their ways that they would receive Your insight.”
Pray for their physical, mental and emotional health
Our bodies and state of mind are constantly challenged. When we are not operating in wholeness, what we do and who we are around can be negatively affected. Small unassuming issues can turn into big out of control problems. “Most Kind Father, touch their physical, mental and emotional well being. Cover them with Your hand of healing in all areas of their person. Let nothing go untouched by Your grace and mercy.”
Pray for their protection seen and unseen at home and abroad
It is impossible to troubleshoot all incidents, accidents and mishaps. Life is just filled with all sorts of happenings. Caution and pre-planning assist in prevention, but many times instances arise beyond our control. “Lord God, go before them and prepare their way. Cover their comings and their goings with Your divine protection. Dispatch Your heavenly angels that have special charge and care over them.”
Pray for their personal families, relationships, and associations
Our involvement with others reaches from our homes to those we come in contact with on a daily basis. We need support and encouragement to maintain and sustain healthy bonds and communications. “Bless every one connected to and associated with them. Let their dealings with others be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. Let there be no strife or confusion. Release Your favor, peace and harmony in abundance.”
Those were just a few ideas to fuel your prayers for those involved in missions. It is hard to serve others when you are personally up against negative situations or circumstances. Individuals need to also be built up in their inner man. Through prayer we can ask for divine assistance. What a joy to have a spiritual covering in operation from the inside out.
When we pray for others, we co-labor with God to bring forth His will in and for their lives. In Ephesians 4:12 the apostle Paul sums up why we should pray, “…For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Here he was speaking about the five-fold ministry gifts, but it fits the purpose of our prayers for others as well.
Each mission trip has numerous aspects before, during and after that we can lift in prayer. This was just a list of five for the individual person. There are so many other areas, petitions and requests. Don’t wait till time for the team to go. Begin now. Include missions in your prayers. The fruit of your prayers will be eternally appreciated.