10/25/2021
Today, as we pray through our day, let’s give special attention to lifting up our missionaries, and pastors in our prayers. Let’s pray that they be inspired by the Holy Spirit so that their words will be courageous and bold as they speak the Word of God, and deliver the good news of Jesus Christ to those they come in contact with. Let’s also pray that they not hesitate to ask for our prayers just as Paul so often did.
“and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:19-20 ESV
In today’s society we are often reluctant to ask for help when we need it. Sometimes this is the result of pride, but at other times it is because we feel that asking for help indicates a lack of trust in God’s provision, or our inability to wait on Him to answer us. We read scripture in which it seems that God might be asking why a prophet has come to Him, but it is wrong to feel that this is a reprimand… no, it is our God wanting to hear our voice, a request for us to speak, and it is a call to prayer.
“There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
1 Kings 19:9 ESV
Even when our pastors, and missionaries, don’t ask specifically for our prayers we should pray for them. We should intercede for them by becoming their Elijah and by taking their place in the mouth of the cave to hear, and answer, the question when it comes “What are you doing here”. Our answer should be “I am here to ask that you help my pastor, and the missionaries.” Then we should not be surprised at God’s answer because it might be a Word for us to give them, but it could very well direct us in how we can be of help. When Elijah told God why he was there; that he feared for his life, God didn’t promise to save him… He gave him something to do that seemed not only challenging, but dangerous as well.
“And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.”
1 Kings 19:15 ESV
Yes, when we join with those God has called into the ministry we are not praying simply for them, but we are joining with them in it. We are striving with them in their calling. Have you ever considered this, and the responsibility that it brings? We don’t simply ask God to help them, but we offer ourselves as tools in this endeavor. Listen to Paul as he asks for prayer…
“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,”
Romans 15:30 ESV
As for our pastors and missionaries, when was the last time you asked the church or its Saints for prayer, and was it specific to your calling? I am not talking about those requests for what you think you need, or for things He has asked you personally to do, but for an open request for their prayers in which God might speak to you through them, or perhaps even ask them to do something unthought-of, something that will help you achieve your call, or task. When we partner with someone in prayer their voice becomes our voice, and God’s response to them is given to us as well.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15 ESV
When a pastor, or missionary prays for us we will sometimes receive an answer that is hard for us to hear, and it is the same when pastors asks their congregation to pray for them. This can be unsettling, and those called of God are often reluctant to ask for prayer out of fear for what the answer delivered to them might be. Isn’t this what Saul faced when God spoke to him through Samuel, and he disobeyed?
“And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’””
1 Samuel 15:1, 3 ESV
When God speaks directly to us we can choose to pretend that we don’t understand Him while we go back and forth as we seek discernment in the privacy of our prayer closet, but upon receiving a Word from another we feel pressed to make that determination right away. But we are meant to trust in the Lord, and comfort is not always a part of that. So pastors and missionaries, reach out for prayer, and humble yourselves before God. And Saints, pray fervently for those who are thus called, and pray fervently for discernment if you feel that you have been given a Word for them because quite often we misunderstand the small still voice of God, or mistake it for another’s as Samuel did…
“And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”
1 Samuel 3:8-9 ESV
So today let’s pray for our pastors, priests, and missionaries, and for those called to serve the Lord in such manner… ask that your church, Saints, and others of God, pray for you. Be not afraid, but trust in the Lord.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for those you have called to preach, and who deliver the gospel of Christ to every corner of the world. Thank you Lord for drawing us to pray for them, and serve alongside them in both prayer, and deed. Help us to minister to them in our prayer closets, and whether you answer us by speaking to them directly, through us, or by asking us to walk with them, we thank you and praise you for this privilege, and the pilgrimage of prayer you have asked us to travel with them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who hears and answers our prayers. Praised be your name for listening to our pleas as we lift up our pastors, missionaries, families, and all the others you have laid on our hearts. Help us today Father as we pray special prayers for those you have called into the ministry, and send your Spirit to guide us in word and deed as we partner with these your special envoys to the world. Merciful are you Father, and we ask that you wash them, and us, clean of sin with the blood of your son Jesus. Let us come together in your presence made pure through your grace, which flows through Jesus, and strengthen us in our obedience to your will. Hear our voices as one, and count them as worthy Lord.
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV
Rich Forbes