front lines – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

I wonder if we understand just how important our prayers are behind the front lines.

There are so many people, pastors and missionaries especially, who are out there on the front lines. Yet many times, we act as if they don’t need our prayers.

They are by definition, after all, “spiritual,” right?

But it is these very people on the front lines that need our prayer the most. Paul certainly recognized his need for others’ prayers. And so he told the Colossians,

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)

The idea of “devote” is to be persistent, to hold fast and not let go. In short, don’t just blow off a quick prayer and go on your merry way. Truly engage with God in prayer.

Paul says to be watchful.

Watch for what God’s trying to do around you and ask him how to pray in the midst of what he’s doing.

Remember also to have a thankful heart. Don’t just make your prayers a “give me” list. But make it a time to remember God’s goodness in your life and draw near to him.

But Paul then gives specifics on the kinds of things people on the front lines need prayer for.

They need prayer that God would open up doors of opportunity to preach the gospel.

And they need prayer that God would give them the words so that people can clearly understand the gospel.

One would think, “Just preach the gospel. What’s so difficult about that?”

But while the gospel message remains the same, they still need wisdom on exactly what words need to be said to break through whatever blinders Satan has put on unbelievers.

So as you think of the missionaries and pastors you know, pray for these things. They need your spiritual support.

And let them know you are praying for them as well. It’s always encouraging to know you’re not fighting alone, but that you have people behind the lines supporting you.

Supporting those on the front lines

It is easy, sometimes, to forget that we are in a spiritual war. But we are.

And many people are out on the front lines sharing the gospel.

Some are doing ministry at home. Others are in foreign countries. But whether at home or abroad, these people especially need our prayers.

Paul himself knew that. If there was one person you would think could make it without others’ prayers, it would be him.

But he was particularly mindful of the fact that he couldn’t do it alone. He wrote the Roman church saying,

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. (Romans 15:30-31)

Sometimes we think of missionaries and other ministers as Christian supermen and superwomen. But they’re not. They’re human just like us. And they are fighting in a terrible spiritual struggle.

So join them in that struggle by praying for them.

Pray for your pastors. I talked yesterday about supporting them financially, but they also need your spiritual support. Pray for them.

Pray for those you know are missionaries. They need your prayers too.

Let us never forget those who are out there on the front lines.

All of us, hopefully, are doing God’s work wherever we are. And whenever we do God’s work we become targets for Satan and his demons.

But those who are on the front lines are especially targets. So let us not neglect praying for them.

More, let us send them our words of encouragement. And as God gives us the finances to do so, let us support them in that way too.

It can be lonely out there on the front lines. Let us remind those who are out there that they are not alone.