Praying For Missionaries
Jay Rostorfer

“Pray for us” (Hebrews 13:18).

Here is one way you can pray for your missionaries who are fulfilling the Great Commission around the world. You can use your fingers as memory aids.

Thumb:

Since your thumb is nearest to you, begin by praying for those missionaries closest to you. They are the easiest ones to remember. C.S. Lewis said that praying for those we love is a “sweet duty.”

Index or pointing finger:

Let your “pointing finger” remind you to pray for missionaries who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, nurses and evangelists. They need support and wisdom for pointing others in the right direction.

Middle finger:

Our tallest finger reminds us of our church leaders. We can never pray too much for them. Pray for those who supervise and direct missionary outreaches.

Ring finger:

The ring finger is our weakest finger. This finger reminds us to pray for those missionaries who are discouraged, going through troubled times or with health issues

Little finger:

Our little finger is the smallest finger of all. Jesus said, “He who is least among you all he is the greatest” (Luke 9:48). Your pinkie should remind you to pray for the people of the world who face the greatest needs. Pray that our missionaries will be able to help meet their needs and be able to point them to Jesus as their all-sufficient One.

Thanks for praying.

“The prayer of a righteous man [or woman or young person or child] is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, NIV).

This article “A Seven Day Guide to Pray for Missionaries” by Jay Rostorfer is excerpted from Pray! Magazine, June 2004, and Overseas Missions Magazine, Spring 2006.