It began with the Lord Himself who, out of compassion for those whom He described as “distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd”, spoke to His disciples, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Mt. 9:36-38). Then, as the foreboding shadow of the cross drew ever closer, Jesus prayed for His chosen apostles and for those who would believe in Him through their message, asking “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 17:21).
In the early days of the church, when threats came against Peter and John for preaching in the name of Jesus, the disciples “lifted up their voices to God with one accord” asking Him to “take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence…” (Acts 4:29). Their prayer was answered in truly remarkable ways.
When, in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s instructions, the church in Antioch set apart Barnabas and Saul prior to their first missionary journey, they were sent forth after prayer and fasting (Acts 13:3).
The letters of the apostle repeatedly mention his earnest desire for the prayers of the church in helping him carry out God’s purpose for his life. One of the more familiar examples is found in the book of Ephesians where Paul mentions prayer in connection with the armor of God. Not only did he ask the brethren to pray for “all the saints”, he also asked them to pray on his behalf so that he might “make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” and “speak boldly, as [he] ought to speak” (Eph. 6:18-20). There are other references to prayer on behalf of missionary outreach, but these are enough to lay a foundation for a strong appeal that we take seriously our duty to pray for those who are doing the Lord’s work and especially those who are working in foreign fields.
Pick up a list of the mission works we support and incorporate these works into your daily prayers. Don’t forget that Missions’ Day is fast-approaching on February 4th. Mason Norman will deliver our Sunday morning sermon and Ted Knight will preach Sunday afternoon. Steven Ashcraft, Chase Turner, and Kelvin Loyd will provide brief updates on their work during the combined auditorium class and other reports will be read. As is our custom on Missions’ Day, all that is contributed over our regular budget will be ear-marked for missions. The elders have once again set our goal for $20,000 over our budget. Please pray that this will be a day that truly glorifies God.