How to Pray for MissionariesSýnishorn

BE A ROPE HOLDER (Eph 6:18-20)

William Carey’s missionary career did not take off easily. Before he left England in 1793, he preached on the topic: ‘Expect Great Things; Attempt Great Things’, which became his life-motto. (This statement is better known today in its modified form, ‘Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.’) 

Even so, he suffered many setbacks. It was seven years before the first convert was baptised. Despite his gift for languages, there were ongoing problems with the Bible translation program. The printing press and several priceless unpublished translations and grammatical texts were destroyed in a fire. His wife Dorothy experienced mental illness and died well before her time. Their five-year-old son Peter also died unexpectedly. Later, Carey’s second wife left him a widower. His work was opposed by English traders and business-people. Some folks at home accused him of mishandling finances, when in truth he was supplementing mission funds from his own pocket. And so on. 

Nevertheless, by the time of his death, he had achieved such notable success in training local leaders, producing Scripture translations in over 40 languages, developing new and lasting methods of missionary endeavour and establishing a strong mission base that today we call him the Father of Modern Missions.

Carey himself attributed his accomplishments to his perseverance. ‘I can plod,’ he said. ‘To this I owe everything.’ But it is also important to remember what he said right at the beginning in 1793:

   'I will go to India as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of sin. But I can't do it alone. I need rope holders. Will you be my rope holders?' Undeniably, this dependence upon God was crucial. 

Here again is the short poem I quoted earlier, inspired by the words of Carey. It represents a plea that could be found on the lips of countless missionaries around the world today.

Our mission has placed us in lands faraway
for people who live without hope.
You may not be physically with us today—
but never let go of the rope!

The language is different, the culture is new,
at times it’s a challenge to cope;
some people around us don’t like what we do—
so never let go of the rope!

We preach the good news where it’s rarely been heard
with people who stumble and grope;
we trust in your prayers and the power of God’s Word—
Please, never let go of the rope.

Barry Chant © 2017

What next?

• Continue memorising the poem until you can repeat it by heart without looking.

• Share it with missionary friends and members of your church or life group.

• Much of what has been said about praying for missionaries could also apply to your church leaders, friends, colleagues, family members and so on. Begin to make lists of different groups that you might pray for each day.