Faithfulness in Prayer

by Heather Houghton

The worldwide shutdown had me wondering, what else can I be doing to further mission efforts? Earnestly seeking God is a great way for Him to show you all the opportunities that are available to us. Lance Finley has had some good “reimagining” articles this year. We have all had to reimagine our lives during a pandemic. I viewed the shutdowns as an opportunity to be still and listen more closely to God. I prayed often for refreshment and renewing of my mind and soul. I asked God to keep my passion for mission lit and sought alternative ways to accomplish mission.

One idea, that really isn’t original, kept popping to the forefront of my mind, was a monthly missionary prayer session. Believers all over the world know how powerful prayer is. I thought a monthly prayer session dedicated to our Global Reach Missionaries and Fields could be one more way Kingwood Church of God could collectively and intentionally bless our missionaries. I type up prayer points every month for each field, and we use them as springboards for our focused prayers. We hold our prayer session the first Sunday of every month after our last worship service. It typically lasts around 30 minutes. We gather in the front of the sanctuary and we lift our voices to God in intercession for our missionaries. Those who are led to pray take turns praying for each field and their leaders. Our prayers change as needs change in any given field, and when there are specific needs, those are lifted.

Some months there are more of us, some months there are fewer. I do not allow myself to be upset by lack of participants. I am only concerned with having a regularly scheduled time to meet and pray for our missionaries. God tells us in His Word that where two or more are gathered, He is there.

I believe that faithfulness in prayer is vitally important in the life of a believer. Missionaries make up a valuable arm in the Body of Christ. They are on the front lines in a war for souls. They face trials and tribulations and dangers we cannot imagine. This is why I also believe that it is our duty and responsibility to support them in prayer. In the big picture, our small sacrifice and commitment to praying for them is their very large blessing. I have heard Mike and Dawn VanDervort say that they have literally “felt” the prayers of others. They need us as much as we need them serving where they have been led by God.

I don’t think we need to reimagine prayer. I think we need to recommit ourselves to being faithful in prayer. I think every Christian should ask themselves, “What am I doing to expand the kingdom of God?” The first place to seek answers to this question is in prayer. It’s not about you and it’s not about me. It is all about Jesus. It is about serving Him. We need only be willing to make some sacrifices to our time and dedicate ourselves to prayer.

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”James 5:6b “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”