Mission and

Prayer

For the full publication go to www.bmsworldmission.org/catalyst

Reflections…

What is prayer?What place does prayer have in mission?

What happens when we pray?

What do other cultures teach us about prayer?

Do you have faith to pray the really big prayers?

What are you praying about?

What is prayer?

I have come to see prayer as a privilege, not a duty.(Philip Yancey)

When man works, man works;

When man prays, God works.(Hans von Staden)

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.(Oswald Chambers)

How are mission and prayer linked in the Bible?

Q: How would you define mission?

The Bible describes God’s mission to the world as a complex choreography between God and humankind.

Mission and prayer are inextricably linked.

Abraham calling… God promising.

Jacob wrestling… God blessing.

The Israelites crying out in slavery… God listening.

Jesus praying… the church forming.

Putting prayer into practice in mission

“We’ve learnt that a close relationship with God is essential since we do not want to work from our own initiative, but in response to what God is doing. God has to be the start and end point of mission.”

Katie Martin,BMS mission worker in Rouen, France

Pastor Narayan,founder of the Kathmandu prayer tower in Nepal

“We are fighting in a spiritual battle – put on the armour of God and continue to engage in prayer. Give priority to church intercessions about your home, church and country.”

“Relationships, presence and visibility are absolutely key. People won’t communicate with you unless you are alongside them in every situation that life throws at us.”

Rev Jonathon Daniel,Chaplain with the British Army

David & Sonia Jackson,members of the Heathrow Airport chaplaincy team

“Make yourself visibly and unhurriedly available and approachable in your locality – not always en route to fulfilling a schedule, but sometimes just loitering with holy intent.”

“Through the experience of praying together, our differences become less and relationships grow.”

Sarah Pryor,BMS teacher in Nepal

Questions

Q: Can you think of an example where prayer has made a difference in mission?

Q: How does prayer feature in your mission life?

Pray for the faith to pray the really big prayers.

O Christ, our Morning Star,

Splendour of Light Eternal,

Shining with the glory of the rainbow,

Come and waken us

From the greyness of our apathy

And renew in us your gift of hope.(The Venerable Bede)

For prayer resources go to www.bmsworldmission.org/prayer