Let us pray for the missionaries (1)

Sunday March 20, 2022

Let us pray for the missionaries (1)

Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25

Here are the exhortations Paul wrote to guide us in our intercession for missionaries :

I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to fight with me, praying to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers of Judea and that the gifts that I bring to Jerusalem be accepted by the saints, so that I come to you with joy, if it be the will of God, and enjoy some rest among you (Romans 15:30-32).

The apostle exhorts the Christians of Rome to fight with him by addressing prayers to God in his favor on four specific subjects :

- May he be delivered from unbelievers fiercely opposed to the Gospel.

- May the material help he brings to the believers of Judea, before going to Rome, be favorably received.

- May the Lord grant him a happy stay in Rome.

- May his visit to Rome allow him to take some rest in his hectic and exhausting service.

Make at all times by the Spirit all kinds of prayers and supplications. Watch over this with all perseverance, and pray for all the saints. Pray for me, that it may be given to me, when I open my mouth, to make known boldly and freely the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, and that I speak of it with assurance as I have to talk about it (Ephesians 6. 18-20).

What good is the complete armor of God of which Paul has just spoken if the strength is lacking, if the servant is not supported, directed to announce with confidence the mystery of the gospel ?

Brethren, pray for us (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

All news should be an occasion for prayer. Paul constantly needed the prayers of all his brothers and sisters in Christ, for himself and for the spread of the gospel. He never experienced circumstances where he could do without the prayers of his brothers.

Nothing replaces prayerful warfare for the advancement of the gospel and nothing expands the heart like intercessory prayer !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)