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A Call To Pray |
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At MBMSI we are convinced the current season of mission ministry will not and cannot be effective in the spiritual transformation of churches and communities at home and abroad among the least reached apart from intercessory prayer.
Prayer was the breath and life blood of the New Testament Church. After the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1 the Apostles and others “joined together constantly in prayer” (verse 14). As the church grew it is reported in Acts 2, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (verse 42).
The Apostle Paul reported the impact of intercessory prayer on his life and ministry in II Corinthians 1:8-11 where he said. “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
The development of a culture of intercessory prayer in our MB Church family worldwide is a worthy goal; one requiring our personal commitment to pray for God to deliver and sustain our missionaries in the spiritual battles they are experiencing.
WHY PRAY?
1) Jesus prayed: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12).
2) Jesus called his followers to pray: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
3) Jesus said workers will be sent out when we pray: “Pray ye therefore the 1 Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38 KJV).
LET’S PRAY!
Pray for a missionary family, individual or project each day. This is a routine that will produce amazing results because prayer changes things. The Daily Prayer Guide provides a monthly outline including our missionaries and the supporting projects related to ministries they are engaged in. The Prayer Forum is a means to share our prayers corporately to encourage one another. We urge you to use these tools for praying fervently and regularly for God's work to be done.
Prayer is the work of the ministry. We invite you to commit yourself daily to this work. It will transform not only the missionaries listed here but prayer will also transform us. Time in His presence on behalf of others is always transformational.
by Carlin Wienhauer, MBMSI Lead Team
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