Praying for Missionaries

A missional class makes prayer for missionaries a priority. In James 5:16 (HCSB) it says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.” During the month of December we focus our prayers on world missions and the Lottie Moon offering for world missions. I have been impressed when I see a class go beyond two or three seasons for missional prayer. Think with me about how a class can be more mission-minded with their prayers.

1. Have a bulletin board with pictures and names of missionaries. The board could contain the class members who have gone to serve in other church ministries (preschool, children, etc.), class members who are serving in community ministries, and class members who are helping with new church starts. Many times these members are soon forgotten; our prayers can keep them fresh in our minds and provide great strength through the Lord’s help.
2. Intentionally adopt a community ministry for the purpose of regular prayer support. Put it on your missionary board!
3. Make a point of getting to know one or more North American Mission Board missionaries and keep the class updated on their ministry. Lead the class to have an occasional video chat or conference call during class. Pray for their needs and ministries. Don’t forget to add them to your missionary board!
4. Adopt one or more International Mission Board missionaries. It is always great to pray for missionaries on their birthday, but how much more powerful our prayer when we know the missionary personally, their needs and their ministries. On the missionary board!

I think everyone has heard the Prudential Insurance advertisement, “Get A Piece Of The Rock”. The “rock” is the rock of Gibraltar located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. If you want to lead your class to get a piece of the missional rock that is the entrance to a great missional class, commit to pray for missions in an intentional personal way. Jesus is the “Rock” of our salvation. Pray for those spreading the Rock-solid Gospel.

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Tom Belew has served as Small Groups and Childhood Specialist for the California Southern Baptist Convention since 2002. He previously served as Minister of Education in churches in Arizona and California.