The Convergence of the Prayer and Missions Movement
It Started with a Prayer Meeting
Just before Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, he told his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Later in the upper room, 120 men and women were filled with the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Out of that small prayer meeting, God created missionaries that have made Jesus the most famous name on the planet.
Through prayer, Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians learned that the secret of loving the souls of men was found in loving the Savior of men. Their 24/7 prayer meetings influenced John and Charles Wesley, as well as prompted William Carey’s efforts to reach India. There have been many pockets of prayer movements throughout church history, but I believe that in this day the Holy Spirit is raising up prayer and worship on a global scale where incense is ascending to the Throne at a magnitude and frequency that has never been seen before.
In many places all over the earth, the Lord is placing desires and plans for 24/7 prayer into the hearts of leaders, and they are weaving it into the fabric of their ministries. This has resulted in 24/7 houses of prayer, and prayer mountains being established on every continent.
There is much work ahead of us no doubt, but as we look upon the problems that we are facing in proclaiming Jesus to the harvest field, we must remember his remedy. He saw the problem himself with his own human eyes as he looked upon the multitudes that were like sheep without a shepherd—but he also knew the solution, and told the disciples how to fix it.
“Pray”
A missionary is born when an intercessor asks the Lord of the harvest to send a laborer. If you are a missionary, it is because someone asked the Lord to make you one—likely someone you don’t even know. If you are a missionary, you are the answer to someone’s prayer.
It’s all about knowing Jesus and making him known. Only by encountering the deep love and knowledge of Jesus through prayer are we empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the work of missions. When we get our heads around God’s character, missions refrain from being a technique and become an instinct.
And the fruit of our labors? As we take the church to where it’s not, Jesus begins to hear his name sung in a language that he has never heard before in heaven. The fruit is more love for Jesus. More people groups and more cultures that are set free to love and enjoy him forever.
The Holy Spirit is now awakening the hearts of young men and women all over the earth, and he is creating expectation. Expectation is necessary for Jesus to return. He is coming back for a bride that has made herself ready, and expectation is a part of the preparation.
Worship is what is ultimate. Missions will cease, but we will be praying to and worshiping our Savior forever. Let us make it our goal to partner with the Holy Spirit in prayer as he works to cover the earth with the glory of God.
You can change the world no matter where you are. Join Bethany International in praying for the least reached people groups of the world for 30 days. Get started by requesting a free prayer map and daily reminders at BethanyInternational.org/Prayer .