PRAYER AND MISSIONS: FROM LIP SERVICE TO THE REAL WORK OF PRAYER

We know prayer is vital for missions. It is holding the ropes, a lifeline for missionaries. So why don’t more people pray?

The Bible calls prayer warfare. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…” (Eph. 6:12).

The Message puts it this way: “This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the devil and all his angels.”

“The fulcrum on which the battle turns is our ability to pray aright.” (J. O. Sanders, World Prayer, p.24) We’ve been equipped for this battle. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation (Eph. 6:13-18, The Message) are more than words. We need to put on full body gear and use what is in God’s arsenal. God’s Word and prayer are indispensable weapons in spiritual warfare.

How do we wield our weapons? Paul says, “Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. And don’t forget to pray for me” (vv. 19-20). In other words, let God’s word inspire and inform our prayers. Be consistent. Be persistent. Cover everything, every place, and everyone with prayer -- for the weak and needy, but also for the able and strong.   

What will prayer achieve? The weapons we use will pull down the enemy’s strongholds and destroy his fortresses (2 Cor. 4:10). Satan’s deceptions and man’s arguments that steer people away from the knowledge of God can be brought down. Then people will see the gospel truth, find freedom from spiritual bondage, and be saved.

But why don’t we pray more? Here are some reasons.

We don’t really believe that God hears or answers prayer, or that he cares. The needs are too great, and the circumstances too dire. We give lip service to the importance of prayer, but our actions prove otherwise.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We lack the commitment and discipline to pray. Prayer for many is a burden. We feel guilty if we don’t pray. We don’t know how to pray when we try, or we are unsure that we’re doing it right.

When we drift from our first love for God, we don’t enjoy coming before Him. Sin and a sense of guilt in our lives increasingly separate us from God and demotivate us from praying.

Laziness. Often, it is easier to busy ourselves with everything else than to do the work of prayer. Prayer is “laboring” (Col. 4:12) and “striving” (Rom. 15:30). It is hard work.

We are too busy to prioritize or make time for prayer. As a result, there is much activity but limited results.

We become discouraged when we do not receive the answers we want and quit. This is why Jesus reminds us to always pray and not lose heart (Lk. 18:1).

Finally, the world of missions and missionaries seems far removed from our own lives. If we don’t even pray for things close to home, praying for people and places thousands of miles away won’t happen. If our immediate circumstances seem overwhelming, praying for missions is beyond us.

But if you have read this far, it is likely that you want to pray for missions. You want to be a better intercessor.

So how to build a habit of prayer?

First, you must decide you want to pray. Unless you make a conscious choice, it won’t happen.

Structure helps.  Choose a time and place to pray that works for you. Habit is built through learning and repetition.

Choose a pattern for prayer. For example, ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication); the Lord’s Prayer, praying through Scripture passages, praying through concentric circles of relationships, daily themes for each day of the week, using a prayer guide, etc.

Ask for God’s help. We are practical atheists, J. I. Packer said. We need God’s help to grow our spiritual affections. This interior motivation from God will help us build a habit of prayer.

Seek accountability. Find a prayer partner and agree to pray together at a set time. Don’t give up when the schedule is interrupted. Pick up where you’ve left off and keep going.

Join a missions prayer group. Praying with others offers the support we need. We can learn from one another, and there is strength in corporate prayer.

Keep a notebook on how/when God answers prayer. Noting God’s faithfulness, timeliness, generosity, and power will fan the flame within.

Get to know missionaries personally. Prayer for individuals you’ve met, invited to your home, or visited on the field, will come much more naturally than prayer for names on a bulletin.

It is never too late to start. God promises to draw near to us if we draw near to Him (Jas 4:8). Prayer is after all a gift. With God’s help, prayer can become a habit.

We highly recommend a trilogy on prayer: 31 Days of Praise, 31 Days of Prayer, and 31 Days of Power by Warren and Ruth Myers, Navigator missionaries in Asia for almost 50 years. Each day comes with a Scripture-based devotional prayer to help you cultivate a heart habit of praise and prayer.