Together # 46
A Together of Evangelism
A Together of Evangelism
Uphold the Gospel Messengers in Joint Prayer
Pray together for Christian missionaries, relief workers, and outreach helpers. Seek their success, financial support, health, safety and perseverance.
Eph 6:19-20; Col 4:3-4; 2 Thess 3:1-2
All those taking the good news of Jesus Christ to unbelievers need to be supported by the prayers of Christians coming to God in agreement. They are assaulting Satan's strongholds. Standing against the devil is no task for an individual. The work of missionaries, relief workers, and outreach helpers must be backed up with the prayers of God’s people, especially in Christian friendship, family and marital teams.
The Apostle Paul requested that others pray, and if he needed prayer, can any gospel messenger not need it?
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.
2 Thess 3:1-2
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In this passage Paul asks for prayer that:
(1) the gospel spread quickly through Paul and his team,
(2) the gospel be honored by those who would hear it, (3) the team of gospel messengers be protected from bad people without faith. |
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Col 4:3-4
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In this passage Paul asks for prayer that:
(4) opportunities would open up for proclamation of the gospel,
(5) his words would be clearly understandable by those who need the Savior. |
. . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 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.
Eph 6:18-20
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In this passage Paul asks for prayer that:
(6) he may be given the words to speak from the Holy Spirit,
(7) he would be bold in speaking forth the unfamiliar truth of Jesus Christ, (8) his boldness be proper, in the exact way that God would want things said. |
Let it be repeated that if the great Apostle Paul needed such prayer, so do all who are gospel messengers. If missionaries and those other Christians who reach out to the lost in ways of service need such prayer, then let us not be casual in attending to them in this critical way.
And, what would make us think that the Apostle Paul was asking for individual prayer when each request was to a church? Individualism has taken us way off track, hasn’t it? Most important is the promise of Jesus when two or three agree upon anything in His name.
And, what would make us think that the Apostle Paul was asking for individual prayer when each request was to a church? Individualism has taken us way off track, hasn’t it? Most important is the promise of Jesus when two or three agree upon anything in His name.
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask,
it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Matt 18:19
it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Matt 18:19
Praying for gospel messengers must be done when we are with other Christians. God gives special attention to prayers offered in agreement by two or more believers. Therefore, it is important that praying be done together as often as possible. That means we should make prayer for gospel messengers a regular activity of faith in our Christian friendships, families and marriages.
Next, there is the matter of remembering to pray for gospel messengers. Two trying to remember will do a better job than one, three more than two, and a whole family better than one parent.
It seems standard practice to depend on organized churches to do this job of praying consistently for gospel messengers. But they can only scratch the surface of the need. Time can rarely be made to pray for the eight needs mentioned above, much less for a number of missionaries. We cannot continue to believe our church assemblies are the main places for such prayer to be most effectively offered to our Lord.
It should be crystal clear that the urgent assignment of prayer for gospel messengers be taken on by Christian friends when they gather, Christian families who should already be praying, and Christian marriages? And whose job is it to tell these basic units of Christianity of such an important assignment? Our church leadership.
Next, there is the matter of remembering to pray for gospel messengers. Two trying to remember will do a better job than one, three more than two, and a whole family better than one parent.
It seems standard practice to depend on organized churches to do this job of praying consistently for gospel messengers. But they can only scratch the surface of the need. Time can rarely be made to pray for the eight needs mentioned above, much less for a number of missionaries. We cannot continue to believe our church assemblies are the main places for such prayer to be most effectively offered to our Lord.
It should be crystal clear that the urgent assignment of prayer for gospel messengers be taken on by Christian friends when they gather, Christian families who should already be praying, and Christian marriages? And whose job is it to tell these basic units of Christianity of such an important assignment? Our church leadership.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . .
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Eph 4:11-12
Hopefully any church leader will recognize from this passage that they are not to “do it all” in the way of service or tasks of the church. It might be difficult to get volunteers for the various works of ministry that are the church’s responsibility, but that does not mean church leaders should do those tasks of service themselves. If people are not stepping up, then church leadership must focus on preparing the saints for works of service. Whatever they are doing that is not working in discipling church members to be actively committed to the responsibilities of the church must be stopped and wisdom sought from God as to what to do differently.
Church leadership should see to it that Christian families, Christian marriages, and Christian friendship groups are mobilized and equipped to uphold gospel messengers in prayer. If these groups are not told this is their responsibility, then churches will continue to use their missions committees and merely scratch the surface of the need. It should be quite easy to convince the church’s families, marriages and friendship groups to pray weekly for missionaries and outreach ministries.
How easy would it be to ask two elderly women confined to their homes by illness to pray on the phone twice a week for one or two gospel messengers? Not difficult at all, and it would give these ladies cut off from church attendance a meaningful role in the work of their church.
For example, let’s imagine a church of 200 people consisting of 30 families including those of single parents, 45 marriages including those with as well as without children, and 25 singles praying for a one gospel messenger and his or her family. There could be 60 family, marriage and friendship groups available. That is enough to pray in detail for 60 gospel messengers every week. Even if just only half participate, that is 30 units powerfully in prayer for the advance of the gospel. Thirty such prayer teams are probably more than enough to cover the missionaries and ministries the church of 200 supports financially.
One excuse church leadership will hear from members is that there is not enough time. That is like saying there is not enough time to take showers or wash the dishes. Following Jesus’ example of saying to pluck our eye out if it gets in the way of a righteous life of love, might we say, tongue-in-cheek, that if washing dishes gets in the way of praying for gospel messengers, use paper plates. Priorities must be made and we must get things into eternal perspective.
This responsibility to uphold gospel messengers in joint prayer must be made higher priority.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Church leadership should see to it that Christian families, Christian marriages, and Christian friendship groups are mobilized and equipped to uphold gospel messengers in prayer. If these groups are not told this is their responsibility, then churches will continue to use their missions committees and merely scratch the surface of the need. It should be quite easy to convince the church’s families, marriages and friendship groups to pray weekly for missionaries and outreach ministries.
How easy would it be to ask two elderly women confined to their homes by illness to pray on the phone twice a week for one or two gospel messengers? Not difficult at all, and it would give these ladies cut off from church attendance a meaningful role in the work of their church.
For example, let’s imagine a church of 200 people consisting of 30 families including those of single parents, 45 marriages including those with as well as without children, and 25 singles praying for a one gospel messenger and his or her family. There could be 60 family, marriage and friendship groups available. That is enough to pray in detail for 60 gospel messengers every week. Even if just only half participate, that is 30 units powerfully in prayer for the advance of the gospel. Thirty such prayer teams are probably more than enough to cover the missionaries and ministries the church of 200 supports financially.
One excuse church leadership will hear from members is that there is not enough time. That is like saying there is not enough time to take showers or wash the dishes. Following Jesus’ example of saying to pluck our eye out if it gets in the way of a righteous life of love, might we say, tongue-in-cheek, that if washing dishes gets in the way of praying for gospel messengers, use paper plates. Priorities must be made and we must get things into eternal perspective.
This responsibility to uphold gospel messengers in joint prayer must be made higher priority.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
The Mestes Family has a relative who is a missionary in a Mexican village steeped in a fusion of Catholic and pagan religion. Resistance to true, biblical Christianity is fierce due to centuries of ritualistic culture. Since they care so deeply for Manuel, their nephew and cousin, the Mestes Family has an extended time of prayer for him and his family once a month. The family has seven members, and they have divided up the areas for prayer that they want to remember when they pray.
One prays that Manuel will not feel alone, so far from his home in the United States. Another leads the family in prayer for Manuel’s optimism in light of the poverty of the people he is trying to reach. Someone else asks for safety for Manuel and his family. Yet another remembers to pray for the things Manuel’s family needs in the way of food, clothing, supplies, and financial support. Another leads the family to pray that Manuel will stay true to his mission of preaching the gospel of grace rather than works. Still another prays that Manuel and his family will have the wisdom required to deal with difficult situations that arise. Finally, the whole family prays that Manuel and his family are constantly aware that the struggle will eventually end because they are in the everlasting kingdom of God. |
Imagine how thick the Bible would be if all the details were filled in.
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
John 21:25
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Did Jesus care about the 12 disciples He sent out to Jewish towns (Matt 10) and the 72 disciples He sent ahead to places He would soon visit? We have to read between the lines to see that Jesus really did care about these “missionaries”. In so doing, we will discover the way we are to watch out for gospel messengers.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’”
Luke 10:1-11
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Jesus felt the loneliness these sent-out disciples might experience. The laborers were few and the need great. He asked them, therefore, to pray for more people to join them as gospel messengers.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
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We become like Jesus when we pray that those trying to bring others to salvation not feel too alone or overwhelmed at the needs they encounter. We also ask that more Christians respond to God’s call to missions and ministry.
Next, Jesus was aware of the danger and discomfort that would face them. He wanted them to know that He knew the difficulties ahead and instructed them to do nothing that would make them a target for thieves.
Next, Jesus was aware of the danger and discomfort that would face them. He wanted them to know that He knew the difficulties ahead and instructed them to do nothing that would make them a target for thieves.
Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
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We become like Jesus when we pray for the safety of gospel messengers, recognizing that they are sticking their heads way out, often in hostile or unfriendly environments.
And then, after instructing them to not rely on their own resources, Jesus helped them know that their needs would be met.
And then, after instructing them to not rely on their own resources, Jesus helped them know that their needs would be met.
Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages.
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In praying for gospel messengers, we are like Jesus if we ask for their provisions to be supplied. We pray for the generosity of others to make their ministry possible.
Most importantly, Jesus told them what was their mission and method.
Most importantly, Jesus told them what was their mission and method.
Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
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We become like Jesus if we ask God that the gospel messengers we are praying for do not lose sight of their mission and discover God’s particular plan for them to win their way into people’s hearts.
Jesus also cared enough about these disciples He sent into strange towns and villages to let them know the Exit Plan, should it be needed.
Jesus also cared enough about these disciples He sent into strange towns and villages to let them know the Exit Plan, should it be needed.
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you.’
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We can be like Jesus by praying that gospel messengers know how to get out of difficult situations in which they can do no good. Surely, missionaries are misunderstood by those in the different cultures they are trying to reach. Relief workers can be tortured when the food they are distributing runs out and there are still hungry people waiting in line. We need to pray that they will have peace and know that they did what they could to serve the Lord.
Finally, within their exit speech Jesus reassures the disciples that it will come out all right.
Finally, within their exit speech Jesus reassures the disciples that it will come out all right.
Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near
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So, lastly, we can be like Jesus in praying that the gospel messengers who are the focus of our prayer know that, even though now it is difficult, in the end it will be glorious.
Let’s be like Jesus in all these ways when we pray for a few gospel messengers regularly.
Opportunity to Worship God
Let’s be like Jesus in all these ways when we pray for a few gospel messengers regularly.
Opportunity to Worship God
The Griffin Family has donated money for the past two years to help a relief agency dig a well in an African village. When the seven-year-old in the family asked how the well was dug, the family did some research. A phone call explained the whole process. After reviewing this information, the family made a second call to learn the names of the relief workers on the site in Africa so that they could pray for them.
It dawned on the teenage girl of the family that being concerned for the aid workers was a form of worship because God Himself was so concerned. Once the family grasped that concept, prayer became more regular and detailed. After that, prayer was not only offered on behalf of the relief organization helpers, but also as a form of worship. |
God has given us the great privilege in community to hold up gospel messengers in prayer. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him the nature of the Godhead wherein the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in constant communication about the welfare and work of those who take the gospel to people.
Certainly, praying for those who are representing God full time to the unbelieving world all around us is worship. They are holding up the Name and reputation of God, often in unwelcoming settings. Since we want that done to honor our loving God, we can worship by praying for gospel messengers, especially that they accept the Holy Spirit’s help in remaining pure in thought and behavior.
Missionaries and relief workers usually talk to us in need of financial support. So, they tell us of the good they do for God’s glory. Unfortunately they are hesitant to speak of the trials they face. We can only imagine what they go through from time to time. Therefore, it takes more than a quick prayer to properly take the needs of gospel messengers to the throne of God.
Worship prayer for gospel messengers may include asking God to help them return loving responses to unfriendly or hostile confrontations. And, we want to ask that they be helped to control their speech, one of the hardest of things for all of us to do.
Certainly, praying for those who are representing God full time to the unbelieving world all around us is worship. They are holding up the Name and reputation of God, often in unwelcoming settings. Since we want that done to honor our loving God, we can worship by praying for gospel messengers, especially that they accept the Holy Spirit’s help in remaining pure in thought and behavior.
Missionaries and relief workers usually talk to us in need of financial support. So, they tell us of the good they do for God’s glory. Unfortunately they are hesitant to speak of the trials they face. We can only imagine what they go through from time to time. Therefore, it takes more than a quick prayer to properly take the needs of gospel messengers to the throne of God.
Worship prayer for gospel messengers may include asking God to help them return loving responses to unfriendly or hostile confrontations. And, we want to ask that they be helped to control their speech, one of the hardest of things for all of us to do.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:1-10
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We are not always on display as are the gospel messengers. Whenever they go to the market in whatever country in which they are serving, every word and every gesture is noticed. Surely, they can benefit from prayers that remember this challenge and stress.
In the most difficult circumstances, missionaries cannot speak so openly about the Bible. Therefore, their demeanor is most important. We can pray that their attitudes, dispositions, poise, presence, bearing, carriage, and conduct are all so good that it is understood that Jesus Christ is within them as well as coming out of them. In such a way we pray that the message of the gospel still goes forth by the power and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, even though words are suppressed.
Whenever we pray that gospel messengers represent God well, we are worshiping.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
In the most difficult circumstances, missionaries cannot speak so openly about the Bible. Therefore, their demeanor is most important. We can pray that their attitudes, dispositions, poise, presence, bearing, carriage, and conduct are all so good that it is understood that Jesus Christ is within them as well as coming out of them. In such a way we pray that the message of the gospel still goes forth by the power and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, even though words are suppressed.
Whenever we pray that gospel messengers represent God well, we are worshiping.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Darlene and Janelle walk daily past a Christian medical mission on the other side of the street as they walk to their high school in Detroit. Sometimes there is a long line of people waiting for help from the doctors and nurses. Once Janelle had to go there when she was in grade school for a broken arm. Both girls admire the work done at the storefront facility.
Recently the girls heard that the clinic needed one more doctor and two nurses. They decided to pray for the medical staff that was so overworked every day when they walked home from school. As soon as they began this prayer ministry they felt oppression in the air, as if something unseen did not want them to pray. These two young women from the “projects” were all too familiar with the reality of the devil and his evil powers. Evidence of evil infiltrated everywhere in the tall housing structures. So, they knew that in deciding to pray for the medical mission and its staff they were threatening Satan and entering spiritual warfare. Actually, they loved the warfare part of praying. They hated the drug selling, gun shots in the middle of the night, the stench of urine in the elevators that took them to their apartments – all of it. To pray for doctors and nurses treating the poor at far reduced salaries in order to spread the love of Jesus gave them something important to live for. The chances for them of meaningful careers in the future was slim, coming from such poverty and not learning well in school. But, the opportunity to pray for those taking the gospel in words and actions to those who needed medical attention was warfare that made them feel strong and important. |
Gospel messengers are opposed by Satan. If we think of it as being like a rope tug-of-war, are there enough Christians on God’s side pulling against Satan and his powers that are trying to destroy the advance of the gospel? We need to get behind gospel messengers in prayer and pull with them against the devil.
Gospel messengers include missionaries as well as Christian relief workers, many parachurch ministries, inner-city outreaches, Christians persecuted for their faith, etc. Gospel messengers include Christians from many countries around the globe. There is no shortage of gospel messengers who need prayer support from Christian friendship groups, families, and marriages.
Prayer is the power of our spirits to reach out to God in the Name of Jesus and join Him in opposing all of those evil forces that hinder the proclamation of the gospel. We join our spirits with the Spirit of the Living God for the most important job in the world.
When praying for the various types of gospel messengers, it helps to consider how Satan might work against them. One day we will hopefully not even be able to imagine sin. But we are not in heaven yet and still have sinful selves able to identify the ways of sin that can be used against the advance of the good news of the Savior. Without being at all thankful for sin, we can be thankful that we are enough acquainted with it that we can anticipate Satan’s schemes. Like generals on the battle field, we can fairly accurately plan for various advances of the enemy.
To the extent that we can have communication with specific gospel messengers, we can learn of present attacks by the devil. We surely want to pray against known evil attempts to impede the work of these faithful servants. However, they cannot tell us of troubles not yet apparent. We must anticipate threats and pray to prevent opposition. Most often we will not know of problems that our prayers prevented. But by faith we must recognize that we did defeat at least a few attacks of the enemy and kept the lines open for communication of the gospel.
Missionaries, and their families if they have them, are front line warriors who need the support line of prayer. When we pray for them, we must try to grasp that this is war. This is not a comfortable, nice thing to do that will make us feel good about our faith. This is battle and should be approached with the fervency of soldiers. Cooks behind the battle lines know and feel that they are in the war. Prayer warriors for gospel messengers, like military chefs, must realize that they are essential to battle success.
Christian relief workers are certainly missionaries of sorts. But, their primary tasks are serving rather than teaching. A servant handing out food in a refugee camp for 12 hours can be attacked by Satan in other ways than are missionaries. We can imagine the different toll it must take to work among displaced people who have little hope of ever having a true home again. When we pray for relief workers, we can think of many ways Satan will try to undermine them.
Ministries such as inner-city efforts working with social problems and their victims also need identification of possible obstacles thrown in their way by the devil and the sin-contaminated culture. Imagine the field day Satan can have where Christians are trying to help alcoholics, drug addicts, homeless people, those with medical needs, and kids needing tutoring. Each Christian friendship group, family, and marriage can easily pick one local Christian ministry to pray for at least once a month, year in and year out.
Gospel messengers include missionaries as well as Christian relief workers, many parachurch ministries, inner-city outreaches, Christians persecuted for their faith, etc. Gospel messengers include Christians from many countries around the globe. There is no shortage of gospel messengers who need prayer support from Christian friendship groups, families, and marriages.
Prayer is the power of our spirits to reach out to God in the Name of Jesus and join Him in opposing all of those evil forces that hinder the proclamation of the gospel. We join our spirits with the Spirit of the Living God for the most important job in the world.
When praying for the various types of gospel messengers, it helps to consider how Satan might work against them. One day we will hopefully not even be able to imagine sin. But we are not in heaven yet and still have sinful selves able to identify the ways of sin that can be used against the advance of the good news of the Savior. Without being at all thankful for sin, we can be thankful that we are enough acquainted with it that we can anticipate Satan’s schemes. Like generals on the battle field, we can fairly accurately plan for various advances of the enemy.
To the extent that we can have communication with specific gospel messengers, we can learn of present attacks by the devil. We surely want to pray against known evil attempts to impede the work of these faithful servants. However, they cannot tell us of troubles not yet apparent. We must anticipate threats and pray to prevent opposition. Most often we will not know of problems that our prayers prevented. But by faith we must recognize that we did defeat at least a few attacks of the enemy and kept the lines open for communication of the gospel.
Missionaries, and their families if they have them, are front line warriors who need the support line of prayer. When we pray for them, we must try to grasp that this is war. This is not a comfortable, nice thing to do that will make us feel good about our faith. This is battle and should be approached with the fervency of soldiers. Cooks behind the battle lines know and feel that they are in the war. Prayer warriors for gospel messengers, like military chefs, must realize that they are essential to battle success.
Christian relief workers are certainly missionaries of sorts. But, their primary tasks are serving rather than teaching. A servant handing out food in a refugee camp for 12 hours can be attacked by Satan in other ways than are missionaries. We can imagine the different toll it must take to work among displaced people who have little hope of ever having a true home again. When we pray for relief workers, we can think of many ways Satan will try to undermine them.
Ministries such as inner-city efforts working with social problems and their victims also need identification of possible obstacles thrown in their way by the devil and the sin-contaminated culture. Imagine the field day Satan can have where Christians are trying to help alcoholics, drug addicts, homeless people, those with medical needs, and kids needing tutoring. Each Christian friendship group, family, and marriage can easily pick one local Christian ministry to pray for at least once a month, year in and year out.
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits,
since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Tim 2:4
since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Tim 2:4
Battle against Satan really is glorious. What a wonderful way to serve in the Army of God to pray against the evil forces that attempt to hold back God’s message through His gospel messengers. Let’s not get so involved in civilian activities as not to have the time for war.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Gavin and Mackenzie have learned to agonize over the difficulties faced by the three gospel messengers for whom they pray. They used to pay little attention to those spreading the gospel in the world’s difficult places.
Then the leaders of their church realized that much more could be done in prayer for missionaries and others struggling to bring salvation through Jesus to lost people. The church’s missions committee met once a month, and meetings were taken up primarily with reports from missionaries and discussions about the budget. Time for prayer was rushed and fell into the “bless the missionaries”, “tip of the iceberg” type. The elders of the church carefully considered the need to pray in depth for those the church promised to support in prayer and financially. At first they thought of delegating this critical prayer task to the church’s small groups, but realized that would not be enough praying teams. Then they came up with the only practical answer: marshal the resources of the church’s families, marriages and friendship groups. If they could get just a third of these groups to commit to pray for one or two gospel messengers a week, prayer would go up a thousand percent. Gavin and Mackenzie were one of the married couples without children at home who committed after a powerful sermon by their pastor on the Together to uphold gospel messengers in prayer. After many months they have realized how difficult it is for the 3 gospel messengers they lift up in prayer. There is the missionary family in Malaysia where many are hostile to any kind of Christianity. The second is a person working at a local shelter for the homeless who deals with drug addicts that keep relapsing. The third is a woman who works for a Christian relief agency living in the squalid conditions of an overcrowded refuge camp. Gavin and Mackenzie offered prayers that were urgent. |
What will be the lasting change in us if we pray for Christian missionaries, relief workers, and those in outreach ministries? If those prayers are quick and cursory, not much will change in our spirits for heaven. Addressing a gospel messenger’s needs rapidly in prayer without mentioning details is too easy. It is also too superficial to change our spirits into something more godly to take with us to heaven. But, if we take a few deep breaths, stop the hectic nature of living, delay kicking back as if we have killed ourselves with work all day (we haven’t), then we can responsibly consider the things that gospel messengers are going through. This will make our spirits more like God who is deeply, not casually, concerned. This will be great preparation for heaven.
Perhaps “our” gospel messenger, meaning the one we are holding up to God for provision, is dealing with people who are Buddhists and wondering what he or she can do to spark curiosity about Jesus Christ. Taking a little time to ponder the confusion and frustration of their dilemma will allow us to be involved in their struggle. We will pray more urgently for God to give them guidance and that they will recognize the subtle opportunities He puts in their path.
To the extent that we felt the stress of their assignment, we will be relieved to find that pressure gone in heaven. Nobody is happier when war ends than the military persons who fought. No matter how long the peacetime lasts, none are happier for the absence of war. It will be like this in heaven for those who fought by praying against the forces holding back the spread of the gospel and Christ’s love.
Upholding the gospel messengers in prayer will take us further into the struggle of warfare for the purpose of God. When we get to heaven and there is nothing holding back the truth of the gospel, we will be more happy than those who did not so urgently enter into praying for the success of gospel messengers.
“You had to be there.” Those words ring true when trying to explain something horrible we have had to go through. Even though we are not there in the day to day struggle to proclaim the gospel or provide food for starving people or a helping hand to the desperate, we can “be there” in heartfelt empathy and prayer for those to whom God has assigned such tasks.
If we pray for Christian missionaries, relief workers, and outreach ministries without a little sorrow or pain in our hearts that their work is tough on their emotions and bodies, then we are not upholding the gospel messengers in prayer adequately. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, so we ought to at least identify ourselves with the struggles of those gospel messengers for whom we pray.
Warfare without pain, suffering, and sorrow is not really warfare at all. Such would be no better than a video game. This opportunity to stand against Satan regarding the spread of the gospel has to have some blood, sweat and tears. We really do need to struggle against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms on behalf of those bringing the gospel to needy and resistant people.
Let’s make sure we are praying for specific gospel messengers in such a way that we are spiritually down in the trenches with them.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Perhaps “our” gospel messenger, meaning the one we are holding up to God for provision, is dealing with people who are Buddhists and wondering what he or she can do to spark curiosity about Jesus Christ. Taking a little time to ponder the confusion and frustration of their dilemma will allow us to be involved in their struggle. We will pray more urgently for God to give them guidance and that they will recognize the subtle opportunities He puts in their path.
To the extent that we felt the stress of their assignment, we will be relieved to find that pressure gone in heaven. Nobody is happier when war ends than the military persons who fought. No matter how long the peacetime lasts, none are happier for the absence of war. It will be like this in heaven for those who fought by praying against the forces holding back the spread of the gospel and Christ’s love.
Upholding the gospel messengers in prayer will take us further into the struggle of warfare for the purpose of God. When we get to heaven and there is nothing holding back the truth of the gospel, we will be more happy than those who did not so urgently enter into praying for the success of gospel messengers.
“You had to be there.” Those words ring true when trying to explain something horrible we have had to go through. Even though we are not there in the day to day struggle to proclaim the gospel or provide food for starving people or a helping hand to the desperate, we can “be there” in heartfelt empathy and prayer for those to whom God has assigned such tasks.
If we pray for Christian missionaries, relief workers, and outreach ministries without a little sorrow or pain in our hearts that their work is tough on their emotions and bodies, then we are not upholding the gospel messengers in prayer adequately. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, so we ought to at least identify ourselves with the struggles of those gospel messengers for whom we pray.
Warfare without pain, suffering, and sorrow is not really warfare at all. Such would be no better than a video game. This opportunity to stand against Satan regarding the spread of the gospel has to have some blood, sweat and tears. We really do need to struggle against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms on behalf of those bringing the gospel to needy and resistant people.
Let’s make sure we are praying for specific gospel messengers in such a way that we are spiritually down in the trenches with them.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
We heard that one was sighted walking our way. So, we are finding a vantage point to view him, her or them when they pass. This is so exciting. It is not every day that we get to see and honor a martyr.
Spotting someone who was slain for being a gospel messenger is truly exuberant for those of us who paid attention to their struggles back before death took us away from the battleground. I am with a friend whom I met with for lunch at least twice a month for years back on Earth. We had jobs in offices not far from one another. And we would always remember in prayer this one missionary family serving in a hostile Muslim area. |
Imagine what relief it will be to no longer have that sense of urgency we needed back before death in praying for difficulties in the lives of those going out with the message of salvation. This might be as soon as we leave our bodies and join others in paradise. Or it might be later, after we get new bodies and the heavens and earth are renewed. In the latter case, we may still have the privilege of praying from heaven for what is still going on in the earth we left at death as members of a great crowd of witnesses.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, . . .
Heb 12:1
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It seems to many that we will be in paradise in spiritual bodies, a place some call the “intermediate heaven”, for the period between death and the resurrection of our bodies. It is both the paradise promised that very day to the thief who was crucified next to Jesus as well as the place where Lazarus was with Abraham when the rich man in Hades saw them across the impassable chasm. From these teachings we know that immediately after death we are in a wonderful place with bodies without flesh that can be recognized visually, thus, a spiritual body of some kind.
During this time it is likely that we will continue praying for saints still living on earth and struggling against sin in its thousands of forms. Some of that praying will be for gospel messengers. Finally, without any concerns of our own to speak of, we will be able to focus entirely on the missionary, relief worker or outreach helper. Won’t it be nice to not be distracted by chores or recreational pursuits of which we think we will never get enough? Freed of such burdens and appetites, we will pray wholeheartedly for gospel messengers from heaven as a part of that great cloud of witnesses.
After our bodies are resurrected and the earth and heavens remade, the final heaven will have arrived. There will be no more need for missionaries, relief workers or outreach helpers. So, there will be no need to pray for them anymore. However, we will have transformed spirits, if we participated in urgent prayer for gospel messengers before death and during the intermediate heaven.
Our spirits on the New Earth, because of the effort expended to pray fervently for gospel messengers earlier, will more dearly appreciate the salvation possessed by all of heaven’s inhabitants. We will have struggled for them in prayer that they might hear of salvation through the gospel messengers.
We will also feel more acutely the peace accompanying the lack of stressful necessity in praying against evil forces attempting to block the proclamation of the gospel.
Let’s uphold the gospel messengers in prayer, get close to God’s action of bringing people to Himself through Jesus, and increase our relief and rejoicing in heaven for eternity because there will no longer be any opposition to the gospel. Let’s also do so to also elevate the value we attribute to everyone’s salvation story in heaven.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
During this time it is likely that we will continue praying for saints still living on earth and struggling against sin in its thousands of forms. Some of that praying will be for gospel messengers. Finally, without any concerns of our own to speak of, we will be able to focus entirely on the missionary, relief worker or outreach helper. Won’t it be nice to not be distracted by chores or recreational pursuits of which we think we will never get enough? Freed of such burdens and appetites, we will pray wholeheartedly for gospel messengers from heaven as a part of that great cloud of witnesses.
After our bodies are resurrected and the earth and heavens remade, the final heaven will have arrived. There will be no more need for missionaries, relief workers or outreach helpers. So, there will be no need to pray for them anymore. However, we will have transformed spirits, if we participated in urgent prayer for gospel messengers before death and during the intermediate heaven.
Our spirits on the New Earth, because of the effort expended to pray fervently for gospel messengers earlier, will more dearly appreciate the salvation possessed by all of heaven’s inhabitants. We will have struggled for them in prayer that they might hear of salvation through the gospel messengers.
We will also feel more acutely the peace accompanying the lack of stressful necessity in praying against evil forces attempting to block the proclamation of the gospel.
Let’s uphold the gospel messengers in prayer, get close to God’s action of bringing people to Himself through Jesus, and increase our relief and rejoicing in heaven for eternity because there will no longer be any opposition to the gospel. Let’s also do so to also elevate the value we attribute to everyone’s salvation story in heaven.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
We are having a small dinner party when Jesus unexpectedly appears. He moves His chair around our circular table to be able to have a private conversation with each of us individually. He speaks with me about the joy He had when I led my grandmother to Him on her deathbed. We cry, laugh, and hug. Then He moves on to my friend Danette on my left. I overhear the conversation because here in heaven privacy is not necessary, nothing needs to be hidden.
I make out that Jesus is thanking Danette for being there in one of His refugee camps in some Mediterranean country helping a nurse named Betty who was about to fold under the tremendous pressure of too many medical needs of others. Danette corrected the Lord and told Him that she was never in any refugee camp but that she did pray for a nurse by that name in a particular refugee camp. “Then you were there.” This was Jesus’ reply as He moved His chair to talk with another of my friends. |
Obviously, God will appreciate those who did more than just notice His efforts to reach out with His love to the peoples of the world through gospel messengers. To think that there will be no extra closeness with God for those who cared a lot about His main project on Earth makes no sense.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matt 28: 16-20
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The only way we can participate in making disciples of all nations, unless we are a missionary or relief worker, is to be in prayer for them. We can be minimally or deeply involved or something in between. If we want the closest relationship with God possible, we will need to be involved in prayer with details to our requests about what is closest to His heart for humans. Developing empathetic understanding with gospel messengers in order to pray in depth for their needs takes us closer to God who is even more concerned for those things for which we pray.
When we get more in touch with the purpose of a missionary or relief worker or outreach helper, we are paying focused attention to what God has asked them to do. As a parallel, suppose a friend runs past us a request of his or her spouse and we affirm that the request seems reasonable. If the spouse then learns of our support for what has been asked, the spouse feels closer to us. Therefore, if we consider the mission God has given a gospel messenger and pray for it, we are doing the same and a closer relationship with God will develop.
When we consider the dangers a gospel messenger faces, whether that be physical or emotional, and pray against those dangers, we join with God who is the One who wants to protect them. Again, a parallel will make this clearer. If a friend’s spouse tells us of his or her concern for the husband or wife’s health due to overuse of prescription pain medication and then we pray against the temptation our friend faces daily, we are concerned about the same thing God is. That will make He and ourselves, along with the concerned spouse, a team which will foster increased closeness with God.
In heaven it will be so very rewarding to have additional closeness with God in our hearts as a result of caring for His gospel messenger servants in prayer.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear Lord, I know that You want to reach into every nook and cranny of this world with Your love and send gospel messengers to make You known. Forgive me for not praying in any depth for a few missionaries, relief workers, or outreach helpers.
Please assign to me in my friendships, family and marriage one to three specific gospel messengers. Help me to pray for them with an understanding of their needs. Give me the words to use in recruiting others to consistently pray with me for these faithful servants of Yours.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.
When we get more in touch with the purpose of a missionary or relief worker or outreach helper, we are paying focused attention to what God has asked them to do. As a parallel, suppose a friend runs past us a request of his or her spouse and we affirm that the request seems reasonable. If the spouse then learns of our support for what has been asked, the spouse feels closer to us. Therefore, if we consider the mission God has given a gospel messenger and pray for it, we are doing the same and a closer relationship with God will develop.
When we consider the dangers a gospel messenger faces, whether that be physical or emotional, and pray against those dangers, we join with God who is the One who wants to protect them. Again, a parallel will make this clearer. If a friend’s spouse tells us of his or her concern for the husband or wife’s health due to overuse of prescription pain medication and then we pray against the temptation our friend faces daily, we are concerned about the same thing God is. That will make He and ourselves, along with the concerned spouse, a team which will foster increased closeness with God.
In heaven it will be so very rewarding to have additional closeness with God in our hearts as a result of caring for His gospel messenger servants in prayer.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear Lord, I know that You want to reach into every nook and cranny of this world with Your love and send gospel messengers to make You known. Forgive me for not praying in any depth for a few missionaries, relief workers, or outreach helpers.
Please assign to me in my friendships, family and marriage one to three specific gospel messengers. Help me to pray for them with an understanding of their needs. Give me the words to use in recruiting others to consistently pray with me for these faithful servants of Yours.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.