Striving in Prayer

By John Koster

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" (Romans 15:30).

Our Australian church had been gathering each night to pray for specific requests and for God's blessing as we began a new church year. My wife, Cindy, was not fasting with the rest of us because she was six months pregnant. She attended the last meeting of our week of prayer and later went to bed with mild abdominal discomfort. In the early hours of the following morning, Cindy woke me to report she was having what seemed to be labor pains. Her doctor responded to my call by asking us to meet him at the hospital. Our son, however, could not wait for the 20-minute ride in the ambulance. Cindy gave birth to a two pound, three-month-premature whimper before the ambulance could get more than half way there. Nicolas was soon taken by helicopter to a neo-natal unit.

Over the next 70 days we experienced two distinct blessings through the prayers of God's people. Nicolas responded well to the care he received in the hospital. Each day we saw improvement and reasons to be encouraged. In addition, we drew emotional support from knowing that so many people were standing with us in prayer. Supporting churches, family and friends in the USA, Australian believers, and our international ABWE mission family were all with us in this time of need. We were not alone.

When Christians pray specifically, consistently and fervently for God's servants, they receive a double blessing: not only do they receive answers to prayer, they also gain confidence from knowing that others are standing with them. The apostle Paul wanted to be a part of a team. He desired the sense of support that comes when a Christian worker is assured that other people are striving with him in his ministry through prayer.

As Jesus faced the agony and isolation of the cross it is evident that he too desired a team of pray-ers to stand with Him. We read, "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me" (Matthew 26:38) The Lord Jesus had personally selected a team of men to strive together in their prayers for Him. Unfortunately, these men evaluated their assignment as "time off." Jesus returned to find that those on whom he had depended were asleep on the job. Three prayer supporters had gone to watch with Jesus. They were not able to enter into the work that lay before Him. They did not even join Him in his meeting with the Father.

Your personal commitment to pray for those who are extending the gospel and planting churches around the world is strategic. As God answers your prayers, whole nations are touched. By striving together in prayer with your missionaries, you encourage them. As you become involved with missionaries, learn their needs and seek updated information, your ambassadors will know they have a network of prayer support. Missionaries need people "striving" in prayer with them. Will you be found praying or sleeping?

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