Pray for Missionaries

There are many requirements for prayer related to missions and many examples within the Bible.  In addition, there are many good books written on this subject which can be recommended to supplement what is here.  Just a few of the Biblical references include:

• Matthew 9:37-38 and Luke 10:2 tell us: The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
• We see that our first command is to personally (ye)  pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers into his harvest.  Since this commandment is in the Bible twice, it meets the legal requirements to be something required of all believers and to be something which each believer will personally answer for at the judgment seat of Christ.  Imagine having all of Heaven there as a witness when our Lord gives the terror of the Lord  (2Corinthians 5:10-11) to some saved people because they did not persuade men  and they did not even obey this command to pray for those who did obey the 'Great Commission'.  Now imagine seeing several others go before the judgment seat  And receive bad  and now it is your personal turn.  How will you personally be judged for your personal obedience to this personal command?
• Now, once we understand the command to pray for the labourers,  how can we truly pray for them if we don't understand what they are going through? Some understanding only comes through personal experience.  Therefore, the church member who has never visited the mission field can't truly understand how to obey this command and most saved people who have never visited a mission field actually ignore this command.  The fact is that people who visit a mission field, and truly see the work, have the greatest burden for missions.  Yes, there should be some tourist things on such a trip but they should be the least focus.  When the church member personally experiences trying to do the 'Great Commission' on a mission field, especially on a foreign mission field, they learn about the difficulties in a way that cannot be learned any other way.
• In many places within the Bible we see Paul saying that he prayed for the mission works which he started and we see his request that they pray for him.  We started this Study the fact that God made the first missionary plan and how God the Father was the sender and God the Son was the sent missionary and how they had a regular communication through prayer.  We are not following God's example unless we have regular prayer for our missionaries and they have regular prayer for us.  The sending church is to pray that God makes the missionaries effective and efficient because the more they are, the greater reward is put into the Heavenly account of the sending church.  Likewise, the missionary is to pray that God protect the members of the sending church and keep them in proper relationship with Christ so that the members of the sending church will continue to support the missionary.  Yes, they should pray for far more than these things but God made us and recognizes our selfish nature.  God makes it acceptable when we use our basic nature to care for others.  That is why God has people become partners.  That way, we fulfill our basic nature by caring for another.  In addition, to these types of prayers, the church is to pray for people going to visit the mission field so that they are protected and bring back an accurate report.  Likewise, the person visiting the mission field is to pray that the home church accepts their report and reacts in a Godly manner.

Once we consider our basic command to pray for missionaries, we also need to look in the Bible for lessons on how to pray for them.  That is: what detailed applications of such prayer can we find in the Bible.  When we look within the New Testament, we see many places where people were involved in prayer related to missions.  Therefore, we need to follow our God given examples.  Below are some of those example applications of prayer.

1. A general type of prayer in including praying for self and others:
1. Hebrews 5:7 tells us that jesus prayed and is our example of how and when to pray.
2. Acts 1:14 says that the church was in one accord.  This is how the church is to pray, especially for missionaries and mission works which are to be regarded as spiritual children of the mother church.
3. Acts 1:24 tells us that the church asked God to choose between two options which were not His will.  We are to never try to restrict how God can answer our prayer, especially when we are seeking His will.
4. Acts 2:41-42 tells us that newly saved people immediately were baptized and participated in church life including church prayer.
5. Acts 3:1 tells us that Peter and John had a daily scheduled time to pray.  Acts 16:16 says the same about a new mission work.  This is to be true for all saved regardless of the type of church or mission work that is available.
6. Acts 4:31 tells us that after seeing the power of God, and being threatened with physical punishment, the apostles stood for the truth.  When they returned to the church, the church prayed in thanksgiving and praise to God.  As a result, God displayed even more power.  When we are threatened or even persecuted we are to thank and praise God for His power if we want to see even greater demonstrations of God's power.  We also see this in Acts 16:25 with the account of the Philippian jailer.
7. Acts 6:4, Acts 6:6 tell us that different people within the church have different job, each of which require the power and direction from God.  The church should pray that each person does his own job under the guidance from God and others should not try to tell them how to do their God given job.
8. Acts 8:15 tells us to pray that newly saved people will display God changing their life.  This is especially important for mission works where people have not heard the true gospel before nor have seen the true power of God change lives.
9. Acts 9:11 tells us to continue in prayer while we wait for God to act and keep His promise.
10. Acts 9:40 teaches us to pray in true faith if we want to see miracles from God.
11. Acts 10:1 says Peter prayed in his normal manner and was told by God to go and do missionary work.  True missionaries have a good prayer life before going to the mission field.
12. Acts 10 tells us that God hears and answers the sincere prayer for salvation, especially from someone who is sincere in his wish to worship and obey God.
13. Acts 11 has Peter giving an account to the church about what happened in Acts 10.  When God answers prayer we are to testify about it to the church so that others are encouraged to pray properly.
14. Acts 12:5, Acts 12:12 teaches us to pray when the government Acts against saved people, especially for missionaries as many governments are against the true gospel.
15. Acts 16:9 says that the missionary is to p[ray for specific guidance when seeking where to establish a mission work.
16. Acts 16:13 says that believers are to gather and pray and study the Bible together even when there is not an organized church or mission work.
17. Acts 20:36 teaches that we should pray with loved ones before going on a journey, especially a long journey.
18. Acts 21:5 teaches that we should pray with believers that we meet in our travels whom we spend some time with.
19. Acts 22:17 tells us that prayer should be so integral to our life that it automatically becomes part of our testimony.
20. Acts 28:8 and James 5:13-18 says to pray that mission church members would be effective and fervent in their prayer life so that they display the true fruits of faith when God answers their prayers.
21. Romans 8:26 says to pray with a sincere and proper desire in our heart and not worry if we say the right words because God's Holy Spirit corrects our words for us.
22. Romans 10:1 says to have a heart's desire and prayer to God  that the lost would be saved, especially on mission fields.
23. Romans 12:12 says that all spiritually mature saved people are to be continuing instant in prayer.
24. 1Corinthians 7:5 says that the only time that married people should deny marital rights to their partner is when the two agree for a time of prayer and fasting.
25. 1Corinthians 11 is about being is subjection to God given authority.  1Corinthians 11:13 needs to be understood within the context of the culture at that time but basically tells us that we cannot expect our prayers to be answered when we are not in subjection to our God given authority.
26. 1Corinthians 14:13-15 says that we should have understanding about what we are praying about.  If we lack proper understanding about an issue then we should pray for God's will to be done and expect God to know what is best and believe that we became aware of the problem only so that we could add our prayers that God's will be done.
27. 2Corinthians 1:11 says that prayers by churches make a difference in the protection of missionaries.
28. 2Corinthians 9:14 says that churches are to pray for God's grace to be in other churches.  This is especially true for sending churches praying for their missionary churches and for missionary churches praying for sending churches.
29. Ephesians 6:18 says: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.  This is part of our continual spiritual warfare.  Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1Peter 4:7 and Jude 1:20 say something similar.
30. 1Thessalonians 5:17 says: Pray without ceasing.  In every little thing we are to seek God's guidance since little things can sometimes have big effects.
31. 1Timothy 2:1 says that we should pray for all men but especially for government officials that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
32. 1Timothy 2:8 says: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  We are to be holy  when we worship within our prayer and to have a Christ-like attitude towards those who have done us wrong.  We should have this attitude, in particular, about missionaries because they sometimes have to do things to present the Gospel within another culture which do not fit within our own cultural religious practices.
33. 1Peter 3:7 says that a husbands prayers are hindered when he is not right with his wife.
34. 1Peter 3:12 says that the Lord is against them that do evil  and that He refuses to hear their prayers.
35. 1John 5:16 says that we do not have to pray for someone who does a a sin unto death.
36. Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4 say that the prayers of saints  are a swwwt odor to God and part of the Heavenly worship.
2. Churches prayed for, or were asked to pray for, the missionary / preacher in:
1. Acts 13:3 says that the sending church is to have a special prayer of dedication when sending out missionaries.
2. Romans 15:30 says to pray for God's protection on missionaries especially from governments and hateful religious people.  It also says to pray that the missionary is effective.
3. Colossians 4:3 says that they are to pray , that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.
4. 1Thessalonians 5:25 simply asks for prayer.
5. 2Thessalonians 3:1 asks pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
6. Philemon 1:22 says that converts are expected to pray for their pastor / missionary.  Hebrews 13:18 says something similar.
3. The missionary / preacher prayed for, or were asked to pray for, the church in:
1. Acts 14:23 teaches that the missionary is to pray for a new church when he turns it over to another.
2. Romans 1:9 says that this is to be a daily prayer of the pastor and responsible spiritual parent such as a sending church.
3. 2Corinthians 5:20 they prayed that church members would personally be ye reconciled to God.
4. 2Corinthians 13:7 says to pray that mission church members would be honest and do no evil  regardless of what the lost world said about them and other saved people.
5. Ephesians 1:16 says that prayers of thanks are to be given every time that we hear a testimony of missionary churches doing the will of God.
6. Philippians 1:9-11 says to pray that mission church members would have Godly love, knowledge, judgment, sincerity, righteousness and that they would approve things that are excellent  and bring glory and praise to God.
7. Colossians 1:3, Colossians 1:9 with Colossians 1:9 saying: that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father.
8. Colossians 4:12 says that the missionary is to pray for his converts that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
9. Philippians 1:4 says that the missionary is to always pray for his converts, making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel  and for the continuing influence of Jesus Christ in their lives.
10. 2Timothy 1:3 that the missionary is to have have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day  for his converts and especially for any convert who becomes a preacher.  Philemon 1:4 says something similar.
11. Philippians 1:19 says that the missionary is to assure those praying for him that their prayers are spiritually effective regardless of what happens in this world.
12. 1Thessalonians 1:2 says that this is to be part of his regular prayer with full knowledge, and thanksgiving, for how God worked in the lives of the converts.  In addition, 1Thessalonians 3:9-10 says: For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
13. 1Thessalonians 5:23 says to pray that mission church members would have peace from God and be kept blameless  before God.
14. 2Thessalonians 1:11 says to pray for the mission church members so that God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you.
15. 1Timothy 4:5 says that all things, especially our food, can be sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
16. 2Timothy 4:16 says to pray that the missionary would forgive wrongs done by God's people.
4. Prayer is used for something else:
1. Acts 8:22-24 wicked man prayed for physical salvation.  Here we see that praying with the wrong motivation can have negative effects upon ourselves.
2. In Acts 8:34; Acts 23:18; Acts 24:4; Acts 27:34; 2Corinthians 8:4, the word pray  is used for 'sincere asking with a fervent desire'.  This is to be our heart's attitude when we pray to God.
3. 1Timothy 5:5 says that a life of prayer is one of the evidences of a Godly person.

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