I grew up in a church were there was always an emphasis on missions. Missionaries routinely visited our congregation and shared what God was doing on the mission field. For this, I am very thankful. My one regret is that for some reason I developed a perception that missionaries were somehow "superhuman" and did not have the same difficulties as the rest of us. I should have known better, but I did not.

After years in the ministry, visiting with countless missionaries who have come to our church, and my own visits to the mission field, I now clearly understand that missionaries are just like the rest of us. Their calling is extraordinary, but their needs are what is common to man.* This understanding has changed how I pray for missionaries. The information on this site about prayer is a collection of items that in cases are redundant but taken as a whole are intended to stimulate us in praying for missionaries. Use these items to formulate you only daily prayer guide for missions.

*"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. Acts 14:15 NIV

Pray that the missionary will...

• gain wisdom to understand God's purpose and plan
• have a heart for the lost - Matthew 25
• have a sense of personal sin and confession - 1 John 1:5-6
• not grow weary in welldoing - Hebrews 13
• have a true vision for God's work in him -
• a willingness to listen to needs of others -
• have the proper financial support so as to be free from the distractions of daily needs and a confidence that it is God who provides daily bread - 2 Timothy 5, Matthew 6
• have a burden to pray -

A Seven Day Prayer Guide

This general outline is not original to me but I do not know where it came from so I cannot provide proper credit.

Sunday

The missionary's own Spiritual walk, growth in grace through the use of the means of grace (the Word, prayer, sacraments, fellowship, worship, etc.)

Monday

The missionary's personal life, health, safety, emotional stability and well-being, avoidance of loneliness, and the desire of fleshly things

Tuesday

The missionary's family life, husband wife relationships, parenting, children, extended family from whom they are separated, and the model of a Godly family they display before those who observe them daily

Wednesday

The missionary as a communicator, facility with the foreign language, cultural adaptation, and communicating the truth by the example they set

Thursday

The missionary's ministry, teaching, preaching, witnessing, boldness, fruitfulness and satisfaction in their work, and open doors through which they may pass to share Christ

Friday

The missionary's relationship with fellow workers, a sense of cooperation and not competition, humility, consider others better than self, avoidance of pride, working with nationals

Saturday

The missionary's county of service, stability, freedom, governmental leaders, passports, visas, work permits, etc.

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Pray for the Persecuted Church

There is very little persecution of the church in Uganda and the Ugandan government is not at all hostile, however there are many other parts of Africa that see great persecution of the church, especially by Islamic governments. I encourage you to regularly remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith. I encourage you to become familiar with the World Evangelcial Alliance Map of current persecution. You can find additional specific prayer needs for various countries here .

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