Prayer is the essence of missions and worship is the goal

Posted by lorischwacofer on Aug 23, 2010 in Daily Bread | 2 comments

Prayer is the essence of missions. Arthur Matthews, a missionary with China Inland Missions said “Prayer was never meant to be incidental to the work of God. It is the work.” Jesus knew it would take a supernatural force to spread the gospel after he was gone, so he told his disciples to pray to send workers into the harvest field. He did not ask them to recruit missionaries, raise funds or give. He told them to pray to the one who knows best who to send and how.

The Greek word he used for “send” is “ekballo”. It means to cast out or eject and is the same word used when Jesus cast out demons. It comforts me to know that Jesus does not send workers into the field with a pat on the back and a wave good bye. Instead he thrusts us out into our new assignment by the power of the Holy Spirit with a promise to never leave nor forsake us.

Why would Jesus send his workers out with such a force? Jesus wants us to rest in him and not take up the burden of reaching the world in our own strength. Kingdom work can only be done by his power and for his glory and we have been given the authority to influence the world with our prayers. The Holy Spirit can break down evil and make way for peace. So just as Jesus casts out the demons that tear down his kingdom, so he also casts in his workers to build it up.

What is the reason and goal of missions? The reason for missions goes far beyond hearts filled with compassion for the poor and needy or yearning to reach the unsaved. We do missions simply because Jesus commanded us to, he is our King and worthy of our worship. John Piper says the ultimate goal of missions is worship and that one day, we will join the redeemed of all nations and we will fall on our faces in worship before the throne of God, then missions will be no more. There is abundant freedom when we step out in faithful obedience to Jesus command, out of our love for him and for a purpose that extends far beyond others or ourselves.