A Life in Exile

If you’ve read the last several Mission Monday posts, you know many issues weigh heavily on the hearts of those who serve among the nations. When we talk with colleagues or those we support who work on the frontlines of mission service, a common question is: “How are you doing?” This usually elicits the most common response of “fine” or “staying busy,” and rarely gives us insight into a person’s real needs. I’ve learned from my brother a better way, by asking instead, “How can I pray for you this week?”

We need prayer

I can give testimony to the importance of prayer, as I benefited from those of several great prayer warriors during my years on the field. All I had to do was activate the group by letting someone know, and I knew prayers were going up to the Father when my husband was questioned for three days by authorities in Syria or spent three days in custody in Darfour. My prayer network remembered me as I awaited the arrival of my sons and asked for prayers for light traffic both times, so I could make it to the hospital in Beirut.

I was never afraid to share my requests, because I needed them. Much like Esther requesting the Jews to fast and pray for three days, I relied on those prayers to see us through good times and bad. Not only did I know the blessing of personal engagement with prayer supporters I knew, but also of those I didn’t know. When a letter came from Sheila, who had read about me in a church publication, I was grateful and was happy to write her back to thank her for her prayers. What I didn’t realize was that she wouldn’t stop—she kept praying for many years. Though I never met her, she met my mother, because Sheila went to visit her while she was going through cancer treatments. I had shared with her my concern for my mother’s cancer diagnosis, and this stranger, this prayer angel, took it upon herself to visit my mother when she knew I couldn’t.

Ask and engage

Sheila knew the power of prayer, and she also understood that holding the ropes may require even more from those who support frontline workers. As you ask missionaries how you can pray for them this week, ask the Spirit to reveal to you anything behind the request that may indicate other ways you can help.

Also, be sure to follow up. If I haven’t heard an update for a while from someone who asked me to pray, I send them a text to let them know I’ve been praying and wondered how things are going. I ask them to give me an update when they can. When they know I’ve been praying, it brings great encouragement to them, and when that worker shares the update, I, too, am encouraged to see how God has been working.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV)

As you ask for ways you can pray, don’t hesitate to share your needs as well. Missionaries like to know they are a part of your life by remembering you in prayer. This is the mutual love we have in Christ Jesus as brothers and sisters in the Family of God. It also helps to level the playing field of life on mission—we are all on mission, wherever we live, and when we join in prayer for each other, we grow closer and stronger in the work of the Kingdom.

So, how can I pray for you this week? Don’t hesitate to respond or contact me with prayer requests and praises. We’re all in this together to His glory.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on prayer: Small Groups Big Support, Praying for Those You Remember, Team Players, Ceaseless Prayers, and Thankful for Role Models.