Did you know that missionaries are leaving the field at a tremendous rate. For every 2 new missionaries that enter the field, 3 missionaries leave the field. And out of the 2 new missionaries 50% of those will leave the field with in the first 4 years. And the remaining 50% will leave the field within the 10 years. In fact the average length of missionary service is only 6 years.
One of the primary reason missionaries leave the field is the lack of prayer support. It has been reported that the average pastor prays only 7 minutes a day! A Christian on the average prays only 4 minutes a day and the average church prays only 2 to 3 minutes a week for its missionaries. Maybe that is why we are losing so many missionaries?
Missionaries are not leaving the harvest fields due to a lack of commitment or a loss of burden for the people. But the primary reason is the churches failure to pray. Do you remember William Carey the great missionary to India , said to a group of people, “I will go down [into India] if you hold the ropes.”
Likely we have all heard the story of that couple as they were preparing to leave for Africa known in that day as “The White Man’s Grave.” As they addressed their home church they said, “We are willing to take the risk and go to Africa if you, our home church, will promise to hold the ropes.”
In less than two years the missionary’s wife and child died of fever. The husband realized that his days were numbered and not waiting to send word of his coming, he started back home and arrived at the time of the Wednesday prayer meeting. He slipped in unnoticed, taking a back seat. At the close of the meeting, he went forward. Awe came over the people, for death was written on his face.
He said, ‘I am your missionary. My wife and my child are buried in Africa and I have come home to die. This evening I listened anxiously as you prayed for some mention of your missionaries to see if you were keeping your promise but in vain. You prayed for everything connected with your selves and your home circle, but you forgot your missionaries. I see know why I am a failure as a missionary. It is because you have failed to hold the ropes.’
If we are going to help advance world-wide missions than we must earnestly pray for our missionaries. Praying that they “do not grow weary in well doing” (II Theses. 3:13). But we must also pray;
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Well said. When a church fails to pray for the missionaries, there is a definite disconnect.
It’s sad but it’s true, when one is not truly called into the Ministry, sooner or later he/she will call himself/herself out of the Ministry..
a timely reminder for all to remember to pray for those in the fields.
Thks Ptr. Mike for this reminder to pray. Let us make those statistics obsolete by taking every opportunity of free time to pray for all the works of the church, its’ members and the missions field.
Don’t let your mind be idle, make it a point to pray whenever you have the time, just don’t pray for the wrong things.
Thanks Pstr Mike, I am really encouraged by this. I should ask God to teach me how to pray fervently for especially Missionaries.