What is the most effective way to reach the nations?
Prayer!
A.C. Dixon wrote, “When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer; we get what God can do.”
When the missionary, apostle Paul, considered what he could do to proclaim the gospel among the nations, he responded with “Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2:16) Paul realized he did not have what it takes to reach the nations and we must realize that we don’t either. Only God has what it takes!
Jesus summarized it best when He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
John Piper wrote, “Prayer is the coupling of primary and secondary causes. It is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightning bolt of heaven. How astonishing it is that God wills to do His work through people. It is doubly astonishing that He ordains to fulfill His plans by being asked to do so by us.”
Missionary J.O. Frasier wrote, “Christians at home can do as much for foreign missions as those actually on the field. What I covet more than anything else is earnest, believing prayer. I believe it will only be known on the last day how much has been accomplished in overseas missions by the prayers of earnest believers at home.”
How can we remember that prayer is the most essential work of reaching the nations?
We need a higher view of God. God is the most important person in the universe. He alone is all sovereign. He alone is all powerful. He alone is a perfect Father. Nothing is too difficult for Him.
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor. 4:4
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36
“For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” Rom. 3:9-11
“I believe it will only be know on the last day how much has been accomplished in overseas missions by the prayers of earnest believers at home.” J.O. Frasier
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.…..This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:1,3-6
Above in 1 Tim 2:1, Paul wrote that prayer is “first of all.” We all have a part in reaching the nations as “intercessors.” An “intercessor” is someone who stands in the gap; someone who prays, petitions or begs God on behalf of another person.
Jesus is our ultimate intercessor as He closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross and rose again. Because of Jesus’ mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of others. We can come to our Father boldly on behalf of others because Jesus is our Great Mediator and High Priest. (Heb. 4:14-16) We can all be a part of reaching the nations through intercessory prayer. God loves to answer the prayers of His people and He has given us astonishing promises for prayer.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4
John Piper wrote, “And who would say that God does not love the world or that He is hesitant to gather His harvest? Yet Jesus said, “Pray … the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:38) Why must the owner of the farm be implored by his farmhands to send out more laborers? Because there is one thing God loves to do more than bless the world. He loves to bless the world through prayer.”
How can you remember that prayer is the most essential way to reach the nations?
