If you have ever watched action films that portray espionage or military operations, you would find that there are a lot of key players that contribute to the success of a mission. Take for instance in movies where a team wants to pull off a black ops mission, classically there’s always the a team leader, a team sergeant (the advisor), an operations sergeant, an intelligence sergeant, and the weapons sergeant, among other team members. Although all these characters may not particularly be at the direct scene of the mission, their roles are essential in its success.

In the same way, there are men and women physically on the front lines, in the field, in hostile nations, and far away lands carrying the gospel of Jesus to unreached souls. Many are risking their lives, families, properties, and possessions to take the message to these places and although you may not be (at this time) in the field with them, there is a role you can play to support and actively contribute to the success of their work. One of such things is prayer.

The Apostle Paul in many of his mission trips endured the worst kinds of suffering and faced many difficulties- from flogging to stoning, shipwrecks, and many stays in prison and one thing he asks of the church consistently is prayers.

Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭

New King James Version 

30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,

31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,”

He asked the church in Rome to pray for him to be rescued from unbelievers in Judea.

2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

King James V‬‬ersion

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”

He asked the church in Thessalonica to pray that the word of God prospers as they preach it and again for them to be rescued from wicked men who sought to harm them.

There are many other texts like these where the apostles acknowledged and asked for the brethren’s prayers because prayers can directly influence the prosperity of the work and the well-being of the men on the front lines. If it was not so he would not ask for it as often as he did.

Acts‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭

New King James V‬‬ersion

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

Remember the experience of Peter, how he was arrested, imprisoned, and scheduled to be killed but the prayers of the church invoked angelic intervention and he was rescued swiftly. Your prayers can do the same for men in our day. Many may be facing the same or even worse persecution on account of the gospel and your prayers can rescue them.

Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭4‬

‭New King James V‬‬ersion

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Your prayers can open opportunities for the gospel to prevail. It can give greater platforms and bigger stages to those preaching the truth of God’s word such that it reaches great multitudes. When we pray, we can condition the hearts of people who would hear the word to receive with joy.

Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭

New King James V‬‬ersion

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul often referred to the sufferings he encountered in preaching the gospel as his “chains”. Here, he is asking the church in Colossae to remember his chains. A good way to do that is through prayer. You can identify with the sufferings of those in the fields because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ so their suffering is your suffering.

We are all called to give our lives to this cause, so when they suffer for the cause we take it as our suffering as well. You may not be able to go out there with them right now, but you can sure pray for them.

Your prayers carry power. Your prayers can contribute greatly to the prosperity of the work in the mission fields.

So pray. Pray for the men, pray for the souls, and pray that the word runs swiftly.

Prayer Point:

I reckon that my prayers bear results, mission work prospers through my prayers, I spend ample time praying for the men in the field and the gospel runs swiftly.