I had done a post a while back on how to pray for personal growth. I thought it would be good to do a post on how to pray for evangelists and missionaries. Our praying for those on the field, or even our prayer for before we ourselves go out to witness should be a little different than our personal prayers.
Of course we should remember to ask the Lord to forgive us of our sin, but there are some specifics that would benefit those out dealing with souls.
Matthew 9:36-38- But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
The one prayer request the Lord Jesus Christ made while on this earth was to pray for laborers. This request was for those who were willing to go tell lost souls how to be right in the sight of God.
Many people don't pray that God would send laborers because they know that God will probably tap them and ask, "Why not you?"
Not only is it important to ask God to send a gospel witness, but it is also important to ask God to prepare the people who will be hearing it.
I Corinthians 3:6-7- I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Before we ever leave our doors and hand out a track we should pray for God to work in the people's hearts. We sow the seed. We may water the seed. But God is the one who causes the seed to grow.
After asking God to prepare the people,we should ask Him to guide us through the doors He alone can open.
Colossians 4:3-4- Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Pray that God will open doors and show you where He wants you to go. Paul did this often.
Acts 16:6,9- Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
God told Paul not to go to Asia. Why? Perhaps their hearts weren't quite ready to receive the message. However, He led Paul to go to Macedonia. Those people were ready and willing to hear the gospel.
When God directs us somewhere, we need to have the courage to go. Which brings me to my next point.
Acts 4:29- And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
We need to pray that God gives us boldness to act. We are human. We have doubts and fears. And the devil can use those emotions to hinder us from acting.
I Corinthians 16:9- For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
The devil doesn't want the Word of God preached. He will actively work against you, and he has his own followers who will work against you.
II Thessalonians 3:1-2- Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
We need to pray that the Word of God will have free course, and not be hindered by unreasonable and wicked men. Not everyone who tries to shut down the ministry is a wicked person; sometimes they are just unreasonable. There are people who think they should follow rules and regulations instead of witness. There are those who would stand for a cause against the direct revelation of the Scriptures.
Wicked people will stand to oppose a Christian witness. But we need to remember that these people are souls who need to have the Word of God preached to them.
Asking God to deliver you from these hindrances will help spread the gospel to those whose hearts God has prepared to receive it.
II Thessalonians 3:3- But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Pray for God to keep you from evil. Not only evil people, but the appearance of evil, evil places, and evil events. Ask God for protection while you witness for Him, because there is no doubt that you will come under attack when you start to take a stand.
And then after the witnessing is completed, you should take time to pray that God makes the Word prosper.
I Tim 2:1- I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
God makes intercession for us. We should intercede for others by praying that God blesses what has been said and that it takes root. Pray for the person who accepted the tract that they would actually read and understand it.
Paul didn't admonish Timothy first about preaching, but about praying because it is that important. Every pastor needs those who lift them up in prayer. Each missionary and evangelist need those who intercede before God's throne for them.
Edward McKendree Bounds has a devotional book on prayer which I recommend everyone read. He states, “If men would pray as they ought to pray, the marvels of the past would be more than reproduced. The Gospel would advance with a facility and power it has never known. Doors would be thrown open to the Gospel, and the Word of God would have a conquering force rarely if ever known before.”
I Thessalonians 5:25- Brethren, pray for us.
