-Randee Heath
“The history of missions is the history of answered prayer.” –Samuel Zwemer
Since the days of Paul, the request of prayer for people hearing the truth of the gospel has remained the same. In his letters while he was traveling, Paul earnestly requested prayer, suggesting “we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Paul knew that prayer would bring results and provided specific prayer requests for open doors (Colossians 4:2-3), for his witness (Ephesians 6:19) and for guidance. Using these kinds of examples of prayer can help us to pray today with effectiveness and understanding for Christ’s work all over the world.
Paul also had a drive to “present every man mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28), that took him to places such as Ephesus, Smyrna, Laodicea, Colossae and Galatia to present the Gospel. Today, God’s workers have gone beyond those Biblical lands to Africa, Asia, Europe and The Americas. These workers still have the same need for prayer like Paul requested as they do their part to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). God sees that the people needing to draw near to Him are being turned to His heart through the willing work and witness of His workers located around the globe.
Little by little God is softening the hearts, filling hungry bellies, healing hurtful pasts, redeeming cultural practices and offering hopeful futures as heaven cheers and praises God when people join Christ’s family.
SOMETHING MORE
Beyond these prayers for the work, we need to be in prayer for the workers. These prayers can go beyond general to specific – for God to strengthen His workers, protect them, soothe their hurts, heal their loneliness, shrink their distance from loved ones and accompany them in their valleys and on top of the mountains.
Connection Pointe Christian Church supports many global partners located around in the world. There is a list of the ones we support on the website here http://www.connectionpointe.org/serve/globalpartners/—won’t you look them up? In the lives of our partners we have seen so much work done, so many changed lives (not only the local people but also their own!) and so many answered prayers. At other times prayers seem unanswered, but because we know God uniquely sees and hears things, we trust his loving and merciful hand to guide and care for all of our global partners. As Isaiah 55:8 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” God knows exactly how to care for our global partners.
At Connection Pointe we understand the need for prayer, for support and for building relationships with our global partners. We are committed to them and will develop further our prayer ministry. If you would like to be involved in developing this prayer ministry, contact Randee @ jnrheath19@gmail.com.
GLOBAL CARE TEAMS COMING SOON!
Global Care Teams will be the primary connecting point to CPCC for each of our partners. Our next post will describe these teams and list ways you can be involved.
