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I know that there are many Christians all around the world who pray for their missionaries, and I know that many of those prayer warriors are senior citizens. I could tell you about an 85 year-old man in Southern California who prays for us all the time. I could tell you about a grandmother in Northern California who for many years prayed and fasted specifically for our ministry on the first Wednesday of every month. I could tell you about another grandmother in Mississippi who prays for us and writes us emails to tell us that she is praying. I could tell of another man in his 80's who lives in Colorado and prays for us every day. I'm so thankful for these praying friends.
I got an email today from my mom, and she shared something with me that made me cry. We have a senior citizen lady in our home church who is one of these faithful prayer partners like the ones mentioned above. My mom prints off our email updates for her, and she gets very excited to receive them. Today my mom told me that this dear lady keeps a list of all the names of the people for whom I request prayer, and then she crosses them off when she hears that they got saved! She told my mom recently that as a result of reading the updates and praying for the requests, she feels like she has been to Cambodia!
That got me thinking...I wonder how many Christians will never have the privilege of visiting a foreign mission field in person. Perhaps you are tied down with work or other commitments. Perhaps you cannot financially afford it. Perhaps you, like some of these seniors above, are in poor health and are physically unable to make such a long trip. Some may even be confined to a bed or a wheelchair. And yet, just because you cannot take a trip to the mission field in person doesn't mean you can't go there in prayer. This precious senior saint in our church said that because of her deep interest and her daily intercession, she feels like she has been here. And I suppose in a sense...she has.
Find a place to get alone with God and travel to the mission field of your choice today!
Great thought! I hadn't heard that story, but I can guess who it is.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen! You've been blessed with a beautiful family! Glad to see you are doing the Lord's work in Cambodia. Take care.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading this post. A challenging and encouraging thought! Praying for your ministry.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are praying for missionaries, with the kids they each pick a family to pray for. Last night Kelsey told Nathan to pick you guys, and he couldn't remember who you were. She told him "you know Sarah's cousins" just thought you might like to know who you are to Kelsey :)
ReplyDeleteI'm praying that someday we can visit you guys and the Winklers. In the mean time we will be visiting with our prayers!
Just to let you know how true it is that if we don't have the money to send to our missionary we can go to the throne of grace and ask for our missionary on a daily base. I can remember the times my kid would call your grand parents to pray when a big test or need of there. Plus your family is on my -in-laws frige to pray for you. I tell the 4th-6th grades every week we need to pray for our missionary cause we don't always know what need or care they have .
ReplyDeleteExcellent article Bro. Benefield. I just want you to know that I visited Cambodia this morning. Prayed for you, the Ruppells, the Shulls, and the Keos...and I have more families to pray for over the next few days. I prayed specifically for Ta and Karona today. We love you all.
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