Pray For Missionaries 2

Missionary to Uruguay Tim TenBrink and Pastor McBay inspired this article.

2 Timothy 2:1-7: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Pray that missionaries will be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus because they will face many challenges and complications that servants of God in their homelands will not. They will have to deal with different languages and different cultures. Some of them will be permitted to work for a time with other missionaries who have experience ministering in the new language and the different culture. Some will be serving with God*s help alone from day one. They are like explorers, researchers and pioneers. Some go with families. Others do not have that blessing. Missionary families must be strong against the different types of temptations and the different forms of idolatry in a new culture. They must discern the differences in their new culture and their old culture and which practices are unbiblical and unacceptable to Christians. They must discern the cultural differences that may fit with Biblical Christian faith and Christian living and those that will not.

Pray that, like Timothy, they will teach the same things they have learned from the Bible and from Biblical teachers like Paul. Pray that they will find others to disciple who will quickly become faithful and Biblical Christians also able to teach others. Pray that their ministry will grow steadily. Pray that they will have the joy of fellowship with new believers in their new countries. Pray that they will have the support of many local believers, if not financial support, spiritual support. Pray that they will be encouraged by seeing God changing lives.

Pray that they will be able to endure hardness graciously. Pray that their families will be unified fortresses against the evil in a new culture. And yet pray that they will find ways to love the individuals in the new culture. Pray that they will be able to hate the sin but love the sinners. Pray that the modern ability to stay in touch with their families and friends in their homeland electronically will not be a distraction. Pray that they will be separate from the world in spite of the influences of their new culture and their old one. Pray that they will be stable and unwavering in unstable circumstances. Pray that they will faithfully be Biblical in every decision. Pray that they will be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Pray that they will remain gracious in suffering. Pray that they will be shining examples in their new surroundings. Pray that they will please God instead of men. Pray that they will persevere. Pray that they will be hard workers. Pray that they will remain accountable to God and maintain a close relationship with Him. Pray that they will always have His guidance and follow it. Pray that they will have strong character. Pray that they will have understanding in all things. Pray that they will get wisdom from God.

Pray that their financial and medical needs will be met. Pray that they will have prayer support and encouragement whenever they need it. Pray that their dependence upon God will grow. Pray that they will be able to see God*s faithfulness.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. As noted in another article, if you are not going to the mission field, sending missionaries financial support or praying for them, you are out of the will of God.

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