Missionary work is a fundamental aspect of Christian ministry, rooted in the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ to His disciples. The success of such endeavors is not solely dependent on human effort but is deeply intertwined with divine intervention and the prayers of the faithful. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that underscore the importance of prayer in ensuring the success of missionary work.

Biblical Foundation

The call to missionary work is clearly articulated in Matthew 28:19-20 : "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This commandment highlights the global scope of the mission and the responsibility of ministers to spread the Gospel.

Prayer as a Catalyst for Success

The early church understood the necessity of prayer in missionary endeavors. In Acts 13:2-3 , we see the church in Antioch praying and fasting before sending off Barnabas and Saul: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." This passage illustrates the role of prayer in commissioning and empowering missionaries.

The Apostle Paul frequently requested prayers for his missionary work. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1 , he writes, "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you." Paul recognized that the success of his mission was contingent upon the prayers of the believers, emphasizing the need for divine assistance in overcoming obstacles and opening hearts to the Gospel.

Intercessory Prayer for Open Doors

Prayer is also essential for creating opportunities for the Gospel to be shared. In Colossians 4:3 , Paul asks, "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." This request highlights the belief that God can provide opportunities and remove barriers to the spread of His word.

Spiritual Warfare and Protection

Missionary work often involves spiritual warfare, and prayer is a vital tool for protection and victory. Ephesians 6:18-19 instructs believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." Here, prayer is depicted as a means of securing boldness and clarity in proclaiming the Gospel amidst spiritual opposition.

Dependence on God's Sovereignty

Ultimately, the success of missionary work is dependent on God's sovereign will. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 , Paul acknowledges, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." This passage reminds believers that while human effort is necessary, it is God who brings about the increase.

Conclusion

The success of missionary work by ministers is deeply connected to the prayers of the church. Through prayer, believers can support missionaries, seek divine intervention, and trust in God's sovereignty to bring about the fruitful spread of the Gospel.Ephesians 6:18,19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 4:3
With praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Prayer and Missions
... for securing workers in the foreign missionary field is ... God-called, divinely moved
to this great work. ... Missionaries, like ministers, are born of praying people ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/xiii prayer and missions.htm

The Mendicant Orders
... preach, and met with marvellous success among the ... The missionary work began at once,
and they ... into provinces; while the provincial ministers were responsible ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiii the mendicant orders.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... kingdom of God and of his Christ." Added to all the missionary addresses, the ... were
spoken first to twelve men just entering upon their work as ministers. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... to them; he referred to their work in his ... numbers of the first English missionary
magazine,91 ... and, addressing his fellow Baptist ministers, exclaimed: "See ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

How Churches Can Help Ministers.
... why such small success attends the labors of their ministers. ... come and ask aid from
the Home Missionary Society! ... on the Gospel armor, and come up to the work. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiii how churches can.htm

Gospel Missions
... I think the missionary should say, "I am come to tell you ... a place, make a station
of it, and work around it ... Let other ministers have as prayerful a people; let ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

When a Revival is to be Expected.
... that he once labored as a missionary in Virginia ... the foregoing heads, let Christians
and ministers be encouraged and know that a good work is already ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture ii when a revival.htm

David's Dying Prayer
... magazine, or buy one of the helps for ministers, or take ... be his, if he will help
me; for missionary work or for ... I will pray for you, that your success may be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/davids dying prayer.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... resolved that the managers of our Missionary Society should ... most prominent lenders
in the work of "reform ... Discipline," "speaking evil of our ministers," and of ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

Answers to Prayer
... me and others, I might meet with success or hindrance ... Winter of 1872 I spent in
missionary work, carrying the ... Urged by ministers and laymen in high standing to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

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