Thursday, March 11, 2010

How to Pray for a Missionary


All week long I helped my husband and daughter pack for their spring break mission trip. They would join our oldest daughter on a medical mission trip on the Texas border. As soon as they drove off I logged onto my email site and marshaled the prayer troops.

The modern age of computers makes it easy. Our church has a coordinator who sends out instant requests to members of our prayer team.

As a mom and a wife, my top concern for my travelling missionaries was for safety. Okay, add team cooperation and open hearts for the team members. Oh, and good health for the patients. That should do it.


God then prompted the memory of a verse in Acts.


Now, Lord,
consider their threats
and enable your servants
to speak your word
with great boldness.
Acts 4:29


In the face of imprisonment and threats against their lives, Peter and John gathered with the saints and requested--not protection--but greater boldness to speak God's truth.

That was their number one request. They understood the real purpose of their ministry. It wasn't about them but about God.

I logged back onto the computer and sent an addendum to my prayer request. I asked to change the top request on the list.

#1.
Pray for boldness in words and actions in every opportunity on this trip.

I'm learning to be the mom and wife of missionaries. God knows my heart and concerns; I am seeking to learn God's heart and understand how to pray for a missionary, especially when they are members of my own family.
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25 comments:

  1. A mission trip! How exciting! What a wonderful bonding time for father and daughter to be going together! As our children go out into the world and live their lives, may we always remember to pray for their safety and diligence in standing up for the cause of Christ.

    I would love to hear more about their mission trip -
    Blessings on your day today,
    Kymber

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  2. It's all about Him...What a wonderful privilege to serve the Lord in a special ministry. May the Lord guide them, protect them and give them the "boldness" to share the Good News to those who needs to hear it. To those who needs spiritual healing, much more than the physical...God bless sister and have a great weekend!

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  3. God has all ready paved the way and prepared the hearts to receive Him. Alleluia.

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  4. How awesome! Praying for all and I agree with whidbey woman....God has prepared the way, the words, and the hearts of all! Praise HIM for all HE will do in each the giver and the receiver!

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  5. How exciting for you all. I too join the others in praying for boldness of speach for all involved and for the opportunities that are in place to further His kingdom. My son is the high school pastor at his church in San Diego. He has done several missionery trips including a 3 month one to Indonesia one summer a few years ago. It was a difficult time for me as the government there is soo anti-Christian and many were being literally murdered in their efforts to share the gospel. I loved the fact that the Lord understood my mother's heart and that it was OK that my heart was frequently centered around my son's safety. He brought me such comfort. He knows our hearts and brings us comfort. I join you in praying for their safety as well. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Debbie

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  6. It never ceases to amaze me how the apostles weren't afraid to lay down their lives to tell the world about Jesus. In more modern times we know of Jim Eliot others who died for their faith. It makes me wonder that, if faced with similar circumstances, how I would react. I pray God will give me more boldness to tell others about Jesus.

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  7. Lifting your family up in prayer as they do work for our Lord. What an opportunity! What a blessing! Lifting them in prayer...

    www.myautumnyears.blogspot.com

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  8. Blessings to your family as they answer God's call and on you as you wait for them at home.
    This reminds me of a story my husband used to tell in sermons. A woman prayed the same prayer for years. She prayed for a million dollars so she could send missionaries all over the world. She never got the million dollars, but her children became missionaries. When they left to go into the mission field, she said, "Goodbye my precious million dollars."
    Blessings & prayers for you.
    Charlotte

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this. I am praying for you, for
    your daughters and husband and the mission trip.
    My son will be going on an Igo Global mission trip this summer.

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  10. Agreeing with you in prayer, for bold witness and receptive hearts.:)

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  11. Great post. How exciting for your daughters and husband. Great prayer.
    cindy

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  12. I will also keep your family in my prayers. What a nice system your church has.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  13. I too will join the others interceding in prayer for your family. Mission trips are such a blessing not just for the people they help, but they end up being blessed knowing they will be doing the Lord's work as vessels for his glory.

    hugz Lorie

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  14. nice... I hope people will pray that way for me... I will pray for your missionaries =)

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  15. I will certainly add them to my prayer list this weeek and will be anxious to hear how things are going. I will also pray for you to have that strength and peace that only He can provide.

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  16. praying with you....believing for awesome things done in His name....

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  17. Wonderful post ! I agree with you in prayer for your missionaries .
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

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  18. Wonderful, wonderful, post. Very inspiring.

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  19. Great practical advice here for praying. Thanks. Love that scripture.

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  20. May your missionaries be bold...and safe. :-)

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  21. God bless your beloved missionaries who are going boldly to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My prayers are with you and your family.

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  22. My prayers are with your family. What a self-less act for teenagers. My thoughts and many prayers are with you. and yours.

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  23. Praying for you and your family. The one thought that keeps me at peace when thinking and praying for my family is that God loves them more than I do. It doesn't seem possible, but He does...He died for them. It is out of my hands, other than petititioning the Lord on their behalf...the rest is in His hands, and He sees their future...my heart must release them to Him, at all times, in all things. I know the mission field is both exciting and dangerous...trust the Father...He knows your heart and hears your concerns.

    God bless,
    Mary

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  24. How wonderful for your children to want to serve in this capacity. May God bless you and your family and bring them home safely.

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