DAY 17 | 21 Days of Prayer 2021

Missionaries are heroes of faith that shape and make history for generations to come. They carry the heart of God the Father as they serve boldly into places where darkness resides. They are empowered by love and bring a message of hope. In the book of Philippians 4, Paul, a missionary himself, expresses gratitude and joy for the financial aid the church of Philippi sent to him while in prison. His thankfulness wasn’t because they had met his needs, for Paul had learned to be content with whatever he had even if he had nothing to live by. More accurately, he was celebrating their generosity and the harvest of blessings that awaited the Philippians because of their willingness to give. Their giving was a sacrifice that was pleasing to God.

We, at Echo.Church, partner with missionary families and international ministries that depend upon our benevolence to advance the work of God in their communities, just as Paul did. They also need our persistent prayers to break through every opposition that is at work to avert God’s people from serving, and more often than not, serving as a missionary can be specifically challenging, especially right now. Although we don’t see all the grunt work and sacrifice that goes on behind the scenes like suffering, poverty, and the injustice of corrupt governments, we still have a role to play in supporting those that do. We can make a difference right where we are at. By praying, sending resources, materials, manpower, we become part of the story that God is writing in other parts of the world. And we know that prayer is the most powerful thing we can do, as God knows what they need. Let us pray for their emotional and spiritual health, for the protection of their families from all harm. Also, let us ask the Lord to show us how we can pray or financially contribute to the movement that’s already at work.