Why Pray for Us, our friends, family and ministry?
Sometimes I wonder about prayer, don't you? Like "why pray when God already knows the need and is more concerned than I am about the need?" Like, "does it make any difference?" And finally…at least for this post [I really have more questions about prayer, but I need to post this so I can, well, prayer!], "why not just work for the solution instead of speak to God about it, thereby delaying movement toward a solution?"
I know I cannot answer all these questions but they do give me pause sometimes. My simple answer for now is, "for some reason, God enjoys our partnership in building his Kingdom and seems to do things and move in new ways when we join him in prayer." It is one of those amazing mysteries. I have been dipping into Yancey's book on Prayer and found this nugget to help you as you pray through my list below. He makes mention of Frank Laubach, the founder of modern literacy and a missionary. He says this about praying for others beyond your immediate circle of influence [which is what I ask of you each month]:
"According to Laubach, we would accomplish more for the world by praying faithfully than by walking into the White House or Whitehall or the Kremlin with suggestions. Our personal advice would most likely be misguided, but prayer for leaders [or others] summons an invisible spiritual force that can have real effects, not by persuading God to try harder, but by persuading leaders [or those involved in your request] to try harder." [see Yancey's book on prayer, p. 309]. Wow, that gives me some fuel to keep praying. Will you join me?
As you pray please lift up these specific requests:
For our friends back in Barcelona:
• Pray especially for Austin´s son [here are stories about Austin for a refresher, here and here], Wahab who plans to move to London from Pakistan for studies. He has been taking advanced studies in English, has been accepted to a top school in London and is applying for a visa, which are hard to come by these days, on December 12th. Pray that his visa be granted and his transition smooth.
• Pray also for Miguel , who has just become the President of a very important Latino mission agency that trains, prepares and cares for Latino missionaries working in North Africa. He is a dear friend that needs support in this vital, expanding role. We are trusting God to continue collaborating with Miguel and this agency in the future.
• Pray for Nate , our Covenant short-term missionary who is working with the Latino cell group we supported in Barcelona last year with Fabio. Pray also for his bold efforts to reach out to and serve focus friends. He is doing a commendable job and plans to be in Seminary in a year.
For Us:
• For responsiveness as I share/preach in churches. I want to encourage and challenge churches to open up to focus people with the Gospel and not shrink back in fear.
• For my trip to Tucson next week as I visit a ministry that is doing some great stuff to serve and reach the focus immigrant community.
• I’m just finishing up a semester of Arabic at the local community college. Pray for ways to build on this understanding and for an opportunity to insert myself in an informal conversation group with Middle Eastern students at another University in town. Pray for good friendships and witness for Christ.
• Please continue pray for our family, for our children as they our take bigger steps toward careers and college. Pray for good health, direction and God’s hand in all we do.
Once again, thanks for your partnership in the Gospel. We really could NOT do this without you standing with us. Believe me. The challenge sometimes seems daunting but the grace of our Lord and the company and support of others makes it all possible. And for some reason, God influences events and people through your prayers. I think it has something to do with changing us as well, into his generous, over-flowing desire to love and bless others!
By the way, the foto is from the Medina in Fez, Morocco. You don't go through that door without a guide or you get lost. I felt safe in the medina [walled city] when we visited back in May, just always keeping an eye on our guide so I would not get lost. Here are previous stories on my blog about the medina in Fez with accompanying fotos both here and here. Enjoy and leave a comment.
