Day 16: Prayer Focus: Local Church Ministries | Ephesians 6:19-20

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19–20)

Paul knew better than anyone how much missionaries need our prayers. As we intercede for them around the world and locally, we need to focus on each one. Missionaries abroad face circumstances we can’t even imagine in the States. They face dangers in many cultures for proselytizing to Christianity.

Perhaps because we live here in America, we don’t always think about the dangers local missionaries and ministries face. It can be just as dangerous here as it is abroad. As Paul traveled throughout the Roman Empire, he knew he needed the prayers of the saints. He talks in 2 Corinthians extensively about the dangers he and his missionary cohorts found themselves in.

Some people were out to kill Paul. At the very least, they wanted to disgrace him. They wanted to discredit his apostolic gifts and authority. He didn’t ask Christians to pray for his basic needs or even protection. He asked them to pray that God would give him boldness to witness to others. Local missionaries and church ministries need our prayers the same way Paul needed them.

We don’t think about the danger local missionaries like David Wilkerson faced. He went from Central Pennsylvania to the heart of the ghettos in New York City. They laughed at him as he witnessed boldly to them him. He was blessed that they didn’t react in dangerous ways to murder or wound him. Without God’s powerful Holy Spirit presence, David could have suffered violence beyond his imagination.

As you pray for missionaries, don’t forget the local missionaries and ministries in America. Think even more locally to ministries in your city and area. They need prayer most of all, but they also need support and volunteers. Prayer is a powerful tool, but you can also get involved with your time and resources.

Prayer Points

• For God to bless and prosper local missionaries and church ministries
• For God to protect local missionaries and give them wisdom
• That God would increase the soul harvest and encourage local missionaries
• That God would pour out His Spirit and empower local ministries and missionaries to carry out their call and commission with excellence