A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about praying for our International Missionaries. In the weeks since, I’ve learned more about our missionaries and their work, and have some more prayer requests to pass on to the voices community.
First, I want to thank those of you who read my original post and responded with encouragement, and contact information for missionaries and their families. The IMB publishes a daily prayer bulletin, but it does not cover all requests. I’ve been able to connect directly with some of our missionaries and list their requests for prayer on the Twitter feed @PrayersforImb (If you’re active on Twitter, follow this feed) and the Facebook group Prayers for IMB (Follow this group if you’re active on Facebook). Again, thank you to all members of our voices community who have been supportive, encouraging, and active in helping to establish contacts. If you have more missionary contacts, please let me know.
Next, a couple of requests: there are currently no IMB missionaries permanently stationed in Swaziland Africa. Swaziland is East of South Africa. The coordinator in that area of Africa spends some time there each year, but the country could really use some permanent missionaries. There is also a stateside church working with a ministry in Swaziland. This church wants to connect with IMB workers in the country. Please pray for permanent workers to be sent to Swaziland.
Today is national book day in Spain. The streets are lined with booths where books are given away (I so wish we would do this in the United States). There were a couple of our missionaries who handed out New Testaments, portions of scripture, and Bibles. Pray for the relationships that will begin because of this outreach and the follow up opportunities for discipleship.
There is a trip planned for later this year to research an unreached people group. I’ve not been given permission to give names, only the request. Please pray for the success of this trip and pray for new partnerships to be formed for the sharing of the gospel.
Final request: please pray for the missionary children who are serving with their parents. They are missionaries too, and they do not get mentioned enough in our prayers.
We are having a missionary speaker at our church this Sunday. He is living stateside about 45 minutes south of my church. It was really easy to get him to come speak. If you haven’t had a missionary speaker, I encourage you to invite one, either through the IMB Speaker request form, or through your own personal contacts.
Finally, I’ve learned any sized church can get involved in missionary support. Our church averages 25-30 in attendance each Sunday, yet we are praying and supporting our missionaries in any way possible. I know many of your churches support our missionaries. The IMB personnel appreciate and covet our support and prayers. Please continue in your prayers for our awesome missionaries.
