by a Missionary on furlough

What to pray for Missionaries:

For the Missionary's Health (Psalm 103:3, 107:20; Deuteronomy 7:15)

One of the most effective ways Satan has to cripple missionary work is to attack the body of the missionary and send him back home. Recognize that it is not God's will that Satan strip mission fields of workers through sickness. Resist him (Psalm 97:10). Recognize that it is the will of God for His children to have health and strength to carry out His work (Psalm 42:11; John 10:10b; Romans 8:11) - though God works powerfully through our weaknesses as well! Exercise your God-given authority to bind Satan and loose the child of God from his attack (Matthew 18:18; Luke 9:1, 10:19; Mark 16:17-18). Pray that God will quicken all these promises to the missionary himself.

For the Protection of His Mind

The trying climate, the oppression of the enemy, the difference of culture, the loneliness, all work towards a nervous breakdown for the missionary. Pray that the missionary may enter into the provision for him in Revelation 12:11. Pray that the missionary may enter into His rest and peace (John 14:27; Hebrews 4:9-11a). Pray that the missionary may refuse to hear any accusation from Satan against his fellow workers and believers (Zechariah 7:9-10). Satan may defeat a missionary through injecting suspicions against his fellow workers or the national Christians. This separates him not only from his brothers but also from God, and is disastrous.

For Protection Against Satan's Attacks on the Missionary's Spirit

At times a missionary can get very discouraged. Intense powers of darkness make work difficult and slow. Pray for his encouragement and for strength to be given to break through the powers of darkness (Psalm. 147:3; Deuteronomy 31:6). Pray that the missionary will learn to resist Satan in the Name of Jesus (I Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7). The accuser of the brethren is always on hand to accuse him of being a failure, or of being out of the will of the Lord, etc.

 For a Heart Filled with the Love of God

Missionaries live in abnormal and difficult situations, and the natural love in the human heart will not stand the test. Without the love of Christ filling the heart, the difficulties will bring about hardness, impatience, sharpness of speech, anger and even bitterness. Pray that he may have love for the fellow missionaries who are always at hand. It is imperative that there be love between missionaries, for only then can God bless that work (Psalm 133) and his love be displayed. Pray that he may have Christ's love for the non-Christian. Again natural love breaks down and fails to meet the test, for the missionary is not always appreciated by the heathen. Neither he nor the message he brings is wanted. He is a foreigner and an intruder. Through Christ's love and compassion he is able to take shame, and return time after time until love has broken through and he and his message are accepted.

That the Missionary May Live in Brokenness (Psalm 51:17, 34:18)

In his dealing with the national Christians or other team members it is often necessary to rebuke for sin, but if done in hardness spirit it tends to harden the transgressor and drive him further from the Lord. Like begets like; brokenness in the missionary produces the same in the national Christian (Ephesians 4:15-16). In witnessing to the heathen, preaching the gospel with hardness will only harden the heart of the sinner, whereas brokenness and weeping will break the heart of stone (Psalm 126:5-6).

For the Anointing of God to be on the Missionary (Acts 1:8)

How easy it is to labor in the arm of the flesh, depending on one's own strength, wisdom and ability, but how futile! Satan laughs, for he recognizes no power but the power of God. Only the Spirit-filled Christian will be effective in setting free the captives of Satan. Pray, pray and continue to pray that the missionary might be filled continually with the Spirit (Acts 4:31, 33).

That the Missionary Might Know how to Exercise Authority over Satan (Luke 10:19; Matthew 18:18; Mark 16:17-18; Ephesians 1:17-23, 2:6, 6:10-18)

Satan was completely defeated at Calvary. God placed the enforcing of Satan's defeat in every land in the hands of His servants, and He has given them the authority. Satan, however, will not recognize his defeat until forced to do so by the servants of Christ.

For Revival

God has promised to pour out His Spirit in these last days on all flesh - this means every field (Joel 2:28-29)

For the Establishment of a National Work

In these perilous days the missionary may be driven out at any time, but if a national work is established the work will go on. Also, the national, prepared by the Spirit, can be more effective in his witness than the missionary can ever be. Pray for the training of nationals.

For More Laborers (Matthew 9:37)

All occupied fields are shorthanded. More workers are needed to advance into new territories.

How to pray:

Pray in Faith (John 11:40; Mark 9:23)

Before going to prayer, read some challenging, helpful, faith-building Christian article. Meditate on the scriptures given above. Finding in them that it is God's will to ask these various things for your missionary, you may stand on His promises, and know that He hears His servants.

Keep Informed

Write to a missionary in order to receive fresh "fuel" for your prayer. Your letter will be a real encouragement to the missionary. Make a point of keeping in touch with at least one missionary. It will be a tremendous blessing in your own spiritual life.

Pray Consistently (Luke 18:1; I Thessalonians 5:17)

Once you have a prayer target before you, continue to shoot at it until the thing has been taken for God. Satan's defeat may cost you many hours of perseverance in prayer. God is holding you, His servant, responsible to back the missionary with consistent prayer.

Pray in the Spirit (Romans 8:26)

Effective prayer must be in the Spirit. God has promised to help us pray by His Spirit. To become a prayer warrior you must give yourself to prayer as the early Christians did (Acts 6:4). Prayer is not a burden God forces on you, but rather a privilege and responsibility to be exercised.

Exercise Your Authority over Satan (Matthew 18:18)

It is in prayer that the binding and loosing ministry God has given us is accomplished. Ask Him to help you as you enter into this important ministry.

Pray with Fasting (Acts 13:2; Mark 9:29)

We have found it works! Fasting added to prayer will break any stronghold of Satan. If you are a group coming together to pray, do not waste time in idle talking (Proverbs 10:19) but use your time wisely in intercession.

Praise God for the Answers

Someone has likened prayer and praise to the two wings of a bird. Praise is necessary if we are to soar above our circumstances....Prayer is mighty, but prayer with praise mightier (2 Chronicles 20:20-22)

revised and reprinted from Floodtide Magazine