PRAYER AND THE GREAT COMMISSION HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY by Milton Martin 1

PRAYER AND THE GREAT COMMISSION HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY I. Pray Scripturally.   1 John 5:14    According to Scripture, when we offer a petition in line with God's will, God promises to hear us.   Some definite prayer commands in the Word of God are without question.   A. Pray for Workers in the Harvest.   Matthew 4:38       1. Be specific.       2. Claim workers for specific countries       3. Pray on behalf of those workers already in the           harvest by name.   B. Pray for Open Doors in the Harvest.       Colossians 4:2, 3       An abundance of workers would be of little value if       no doors were open for their effort.   C. Pray for Fruit to Remain in the Harvest.       2 Thessalonians 3:1       It is not just any kind of fruit that glorifies the Lord,       but fruit that remains.   John 15:16   D. Pray for a Stronger Base of Support for the Harvest       Psalms 2:8       The promise was originally made by God to His Son;       it becomes our promise because we are "joint heirs"       with Christ.   Romans 8:17.   There are hidden impli-       cations involved with Psalms 2:8.   We can claim in       prayer "the uttermost parts of the earth."   However, a       price must be paid to make it happen.   This price is       much higher than most believers might expect.   We       need to pray that more Christians will see the need       and become involved in spreading God's Word       around the world.   It will mean vast involvement and       sacrifice by Christians currently unaware of the need.       It is expensive to send out Missionaries and workers       into the harvest.   The responsibility rests on the Lord's       churches.   "How then shall they call on him in whom       they have not believed? and how shall they believe 3

in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall       they hear without a preacher?   And how shall they       preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How       beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel       of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"   Ro-       mans 10:14, 15. II. Pray Intelligently.   Colossians 4:2    "Watch" implies alertness.   Alertness is defined as the ability to anticipate right response to that which is taking place around me.   How much awareness do I have con- cerning world evangelism?   Only as I become aware of needs about me, can I pray intelligently for these needs! Three suggestions will help the intercessor:   A. Read materials on World Evangelism that help you        to pray intelligently.   B. Reflect on News Events of the Day.   C. Ask the Holy Spirit to Help You Pray more Intelli-        gently. III. Pray Patiently.   Romans 12:10-12; Psalms 37:7; 40:1;       Ecclesiastes 7:8          One of the main reasons why so many prayers go       unanswered is because too many focus on answers, rather       than on God.   Our supreme goal in prayer is to bring God       into a situation so He can operate in that situation as He       knows best.          We should always remember that God answers prayer       in several ways.   Someone has wisely said that God       answers prayers in four ways:         A. Yes.         B. No.         C. Wait.         D. Get to Work. IV. Pray Intensely.   2 Chronicles 15:15           We would emphasize praying with "all the heart."       Throughout the Psalms, we see a similar focus: Psalms       119:10, 58.           James spoke of the power of intense prayer when he       mentioned the example of Elijah.   James 5:17,18.   Intense is       defined as "exceptionally great concentration." 4

How can you develop an "intense prayer habit?"      A. Be Rested when You Pray.       Seek to give your best moments to prayer when you       are most rested.      B. Follow a Guide for Prayer.       A properly developed plan for prayer helps main-       tain concentration in prayer.      C. Rest Periodically During Prayer.       It is very common, after awhile, for your mind to       wander and it is very difficult to continue with your       attention focused on the needs before you.   Interrupt       your praying during these dull moments for a time       of reflection and worship.   If necessary, get up and       walk around a few minutes.   A "spiritual song" can       bring new life into a dull prayer time.   Ask God to       show you what is necessary to develop concentra-       tion in your habit of prayer. V. Pray Faithfully.   Psalms 101:6         All the insights concerning prayer will be of little      value if we do not develop the practice of prayer daily.      Proverbs 28:20         How can I strengthen my faithfulness in daily prayer?      A. I Must Recognize My Need for Daily Prayer          Until I come to a continual recognition of the impor-          tance of prayer, my prayer habit will not be consis-          tent.   To be faithful in prayer requires an overwhelm-          ing conviction that all spiritual growth is the outflow          of a consistent prayer life.      B. I Must Recognize the World's Need for My Prayer          A person is faithful when he feels he is needed.   We          are needed by the millons of unevangelized of the          world who have yet to receive a single word about a          risen Lord and Saviour.   Our prayers do make a dif-          ference.      C. I Must Recognize God's Need for My Daily Prayer.          God is eternally self-sufficient and needs nothing or          no one.   On the other hand, God created man "in His          image," which means we are like God, especially in          the qualities of emotion, the ability to reason, and          the capacity to know.   God is love and desires to be          loved.   God also can be jealous and show wrath.   This 5

indicates that God also has feelings.   He desires that          we would fellowship with Him daily.   To realize that          God actually longs to be with us should add an en-          tirely new dimension in prayer.   We should go to God,          not only because we have needs, but because we          also wish to bless Him with our fellowship, conver-          sation, and love. Conclusion:     Have you ever considered giving God a "Time gift" daily? Prayer can be exactly that--a "Time gift" to the Lord!   Maybe it would help you to make a written commitment to pray at a spe- cific time every day.     If you desire more help in world intercession, please write us.   More studies are available.   Also, we can give you guidance in praying for specific, needy areas of the world.   Additionally, a correspondence study course on prayer is available for the ask- ing. Vision Unlimited P.O. Box 1567 Belton, TX 76513 Phone: (817) 771-3000 MISSIONS RESEARCH            V    ision       The  U nlimited WORLD ORIENTATION 6

I Can Pray I cannot do all that I'd like     To serve my Lord today, But I can do the best I can     And I can pray. I cannot go across the sea     To lands so far away, But I can tell of Jesus' love     And I can pray. I cannot preach the Word of God,     But His Word I'll obey Because I want to serve my Lord,     And I can pray. Then, though it seems I don't do much     I'm sure my God will say, "Well done!"   If I but love and work     And trust and pray. Selected 7

The Call Do you hear the Master saying,     "Serve Me in this special way?" Are you ready now to listen     And His loving voice obey? There will many trials meet you;     To you will come both toil and care; But the Lord Himself will help you;     He will all your burdens share. There will be reward most precious     Richer far than earthly gain. Through the joy of loving service     You will lighten sin and pain. Yours may be the highest honor,     Joy that with you angels share. Knowing souls have found their Saviour     Through your life and by your prayers. Florence Armstrong 8

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