How to pray for missionaries

NOTE: Originally posted here on January 31, 2008.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col 1:9-12, ESV)

For several years Paul’s prayer for the believers at Colossae in Colossians 1:9-12 has challenged my prayer life. Paul is praying for a church that he had not personally founded. In fact, they were Christians that he had not personally met. And yet he expresses a genuine interest in and knowledge of their spiritual progress that indicates that their spiritual well being was an important priority for him.

Those of you who follow and support our ministry are very much like Paul. You’ve taken a personal interest in churches you don’t know and people you haven’t met. Since you’re genuinely interested in our ministry and in the spiritual well-being of those to whom we minister, how can you pray for us? Here are a few “tips” drawn from Paul’s prayer for the Colossians on how to pray for us and especially for those to whom we minister. I use this prayer often as a guide to pray for my family, my students, and the people in our church.

1. Pray that they will be filled with the knowledge of the will of God (1:9).
2. Pray that that knowledge will, in turn, enable them to live their life in a manner that pleases God and that is worthy of Him (1:10).
3. Pray that their life would be characterized by a continual growth in grace that is characterized by spiritual fruit (1:10).
4. Pray that they would continually and increasingly grow in their knowledge of God (1:10).
5. Pray that they would experience a divinely given power and strength that will enable them to grow in steadfastness and patience (1:11)
6. Pray that their lives would be characterized by a joyful thanksgiving (1:12a) as they continually grow in their comprehension of the magnitude of the gospel and of their salvation in Christ (1:12b-14).