Competing Missions

It dawned on me yesterday afternoon, that the #deaconThursday prayer would have been just as appropriate for today's topic of missions... especially after the early church social media line and #missionarysplit.

That said, with multiple missionary trips, the split between Paul and Barnabas sets the stage for one having to choose where they go, who they support and more.

2000 years later and churches have to make tough decisions regarding which missionaries they support on a monthly basis. What ministries do they partner with? Where do they send their congregations and youth teams on missions trips?

That said, while missionaries aren't competing against each other for first place; they are competing... for resources, for finances, for volunteers, for prayer support. We all want the best for missionaries and the task they have at hand. We root and cheer for their successes and blessings and accomplishments. Meanwhile, though... at some point people time, money and resources only stretch so far. Which means for some missionaries, the struggle is real. The struggle remains. When the breakthrough might arrive.... well, can they hold on that long?

So we pray this #missionsFriday, for an increase in the resources and fiances available for missions support. Pray for those struggling, whose time, patience and capacity is wearing thin; perhaps they are seeing little results in the advancement of the gospel. Pray for divine appointments, for people and churches to partner and come together for missionaries in trouble. Pray they be encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit... that God and the body of Christ have not forgotten them. They are loved. They are appreciated. They are supported.

We stand with them. We pray over them, today. For the glory of God. Victorious for the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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