Do you have the prayer support you need?
I had a conversation last week with a man in our area who left a position at a large church with a great salary to become a regional representative for a national youth ministry. He is now having to raise support to the tune of about $10,000 per month.
In our discussions, told me a story about a meeting he had with a rep who lived in a different part of the country. She asked him about the prayer support for his ministry. He realized he had nothing organized.
This lady challenged him to pull together ten people who would commit to praying for him every day. So he sent some emails and has more than ten people who commit to praying for him each day. He also used email software to keep them up to date each week on needs, events, and praises.
This has all made a huge difference in his life, his ministry, and the peace he has when he lays down to sleep at night.
As he was talking, I realized I couldn’t say I had that same kind of ministry support. And it bothered me. As a result, I put together a list, and using online software called iContact.com (really good and only $9.95/month) I sent an email last week to the people on that list asking them to commit to praying for me every day for three months. As of yet, no one has unsubscribed from the list.
I sent out my first email on Sunday – it was the first of the month – and sent a mid-week update on Wednesday. I have gotten back wonderful notes of encouragement and support. But I also know – experientially – that people are praying for me and my wife. It has made a difference in my life today – just today – as concerns and issues have arisen this week.
I have never had that intentional kind of prayer support – it has just occurred as I talked with a few close friends.
It seems so simple. It makes so much sense. But we are so self-dependent we often don’t share our struggles in an intentional way so that others can pray.
If you don’t have people who will commit to praying for you I hope you will seek people out. If you can’t find a group of people, let me know. I will commit to praying with you. But you will have to commit to sharing your praises and needs with me.
