What follows is a suggested prayer plan for the missionary or minister in your life.
Sunday: Spiritual life – A closer walk with God. Missionaries need times of refreshing just as much as everyone else. Those in ministry give on a regular basis. Pray that they will take the time to be filled so that they will not be running on empty or on their own strength.
Monday: Mind – The ability to learn what is needed, be it language and culture or a new way of getting things done. Pray that their mind will be open and accepting to the new things that greet them. Louie Bustle, director of Nazarene Global Mission, used to say missionaries need to "trust the locals." It is easier to think that we have all the answers than to admit we need to learn.
Tuesday: Team – The people the person works with – for good relationships that will build up the work and honor God. Pray for the local people whose lives are touched by the missionary, as well as missionary co-workers and leaders. No one is a lone ranger… and even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.
Wednesday: Well-being – No one likes being sick. Being sick in another cultural context can be scary and even more dangerous. Malaria and other diseases for which we have no built up immunity can be deadly. Health care can be hard to find. Driving over rough roads, air travel and other mode of transportation can be fraught with … excitement. Pray for physical safety from illness and travel safety.
Thursday: Thoughts – Pray that the missionary will not be discouraged. Pray that they will remain focused on the things of God. There are "get thee behind me" moments in everyone's life. Pray that the missionary will be able to discern those moments for what they are and be bold in confronting them.
Friday: Family – Spouse, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mother and father. Some of these people will be Christian, others not. Some will be going through a crisis – physical, spiritual or emotional – which drains the missionary. Sometimes the stress comes from being in the situation; at other times the stress comes from being half the world away. Pray for peace, contentment and open communication between the missionary and family members.
Saturday: Schedule – As the week comes to a close and missionaries are planning the week ahead, pray that the schedule will be filled with divine appointments. Pray that when the schedule is disrupted that the missionary will see the hand of God at work and not be angry, but rather expectant.
No matter what day of the week it is, missionaries (and ministers) covet your prayers. Thank you.
Have a wonderful time in Osaka! That is a great framework for weekly prayer for our beloved missionaries, thanks for sharing, Julie!