145 Faringdon Road, Swindon
By Praying
Prayer Calendar
Many people pray regularly for our missionaries using our monthly Prayer Calendar.
We will be happy to send you the Prayer Calendar each month by email. prayercalendar@ufm.org.uk
Praying Each Day
Many people pray for our missionaries every day. The following suggestions will help you in praying for the missionaries you know.
Sunday
Their spiritual life
Time to read and pray. Spiritual growth Encouragement. Fellowship with local Christians. Good links with sending churches and prayer supporters. For integrity, reliability, consistency.
Monday
Their personal life
Relationships between husband and wife. Maintaining contact with children, parents and family back home. Friendships with nationals. Health and strength. Physical and spiritual protection.
Tuesday
Communication
Progress in language study. Adaptation to culture, customs and people. Clarity, creativity and relevance in preaching and teaching. Biblical emphasis. Involvement with those hearing the message.
Wednesday
Relationships
Harmonious relationships with other Christians, team members and church leaders. Partnership with the local church.
Thursday
Evangelism
For boldness. For godly, sensitive, Spirit-led ministry. Hungry hearts and the opening of spiritually blind eyes. For the establishing of Christ's church. For national missionary movements.
Friday
Discipling
For patience and empathy. Training young people. Encouraging new believers. Equipping those with leadership gifts.
Saturday
Their country
For those in authority. The political situation. Religious freedom. Openness to the gospel. Favour with officials. Visa renewal.
Praying with others
We have prayer groups in the UK who pray for our missionaries. We will be glad to send you information about the group nearest to you.
It helps to pray with other Christians and by joining a group you will encourage them, further God's kingdom and meet those with similar interests to your own. If here is no group near you, you may be interested in organising one. We will be happy to discuss this with you.
Praying as Paul prayed
The apostle Paul was a pioneer missionary and a pray-er. He was beaten, imprisoned and shipwrecked, but never lost sight of the goal. He asked his friends to pray:
For boldness
'Pray... that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel... Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should' (Ephesians 6:19, 20)
For opportunity and clarity
'Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ... Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should' (Colossians 4:3, 4)
For protection
'Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one' (2 Thessalonians 3:2, 3)
For the spread of God's word
'Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you' (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Keep on keeping on
Paul urged the Ephesian church leaders to 'keep watch over yourselves and all the flock' (Acts 20:28). He saw the danger of ministry where the leaders neglect their own spiritual lives.
It can be as hard for Christian leaders to maintain a disciplined spiritual life as for anyone. Probably harder.
The devil knows where to strike. So pray.
Pray that missionaries will:
- 'speak as men approved by God' (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
- that their conversation will be 'full of grace' and 'salt' (Colossians 4:6).
- that they'll preach 'in season and out of season' (2 Timothy 4:2).
- laying foundations 'as an expert builder' (1 Corinthians 3:10).
Colossians 1:9-12; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11 teach us about Paul's faith and about God and his plans for his Church. Why not use them in praying for your friends and the Christians in their area?