How to Pray for MissionariesSample

PRAY FOR SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE (2 Thess 3:1-2)

On 15th January 2016, 84-year-old missionary doctor Ken Elliot and his wife Jocelyn were kidnapped by terrorists in West Africa. The local community were devastated by this unspeakable act. Three weeks later, Mrs Elliot was released but in 2021 Ken was still in captivity, forced to give medical care to his captors. Family and friends continue to pray for him. This is a heart-breaking story, but not an isolated one. Many missionaries face similar assaults.   

Jesus was the first and greatest foreign missionary (Heb 3:1; the word ‘apostle’ means ‘missionary’). He set an example by suffering for us and we are called to follow in his steps. (1 Pet 2:21). Ultimately, he was tortured and executed for our sake.   

Paul the apostle also faced frequent danger. He had done it often enough. He tells us about it in 2 Cor 11:23-30. (Please read this passage before continuing. See also 2 Cor 4:7-10). 

He knew what it was to be delivered from vindictive attacks. He had been subject to them when he first preached the gospel to the Thessalonians. Ironically, he later invited believers there to pray for his safety in time of trouble elsewhere (2 Thess 3:1-9). Was there a secret smile on his lips when he wrote this request? 

Sometimes, he was rescued and escaped without injury. At others, he was strengthened so that he could endure it. Either way, he came through victorious.

However, he took nothing for granted and continued to ask people to pray for him to be saved from the hands of the wicked (Rom 15:30-32; 2 Thess 3:1-2). Missionaries today need the same kind of prayer support. 

It is important to keep ourselves well informed of their circumstances. Not only of persecution but also of natural hazards such as storms, floods, fires, poor water supply, food shortage, inadequate housing, children’s education, language learning and so on. Julia Love, a former student of mine, who is now one of my heroes, has served for over three decades in several countries, and faced more than one life-threatening situation. She points out that even little things can be traumatic, ‘such as when I am presented with a half-filled bucket to bathe with, a meal of fried onions with fried flying ants, a room filled with lots of spider webs and spiders, or a culture where nobody considers saying thank you.’

There is a need for careful and regular research as some folks are shy about making their needs known. (The people with the most effective PR are not always the ones with the most pressing problems!)

The apostle also longs for acceptability by his own people, the ‘saints’ (Rom 15:32). This is a deeply personal and human need. After rejection by our enemies, it is a double blow if our friends reject us as well. That really hurts.

As we have said earlier, we cannot pray for all the missionaries in the world. Generic prayers (‘God bless all the missionaries’) are of little value. But praying biblically and wisely for those whom the Holy Spirit lays upon our hearts is a different issue. It is this kind of praying that counts.  

What next?

Refer to your list of names of missionaries you pray for and add details of what kind of risks, dangers, obstacles or even plain practical problems they might be facing. You can then make these matters of prayer.