Tuesday’s Prayer for Missions

O Thou mighty Lord, whose Son died on the Cross to redeem all the children of men, those who are near and those who are far off, I pray Thee to look with compassion upon the millions of my fellow men who are still sitting in the darkness and shadow of death, with immortal souls still lost, dead in trespasses and sin. Blinded they cannot find Thee. Dead, they cannot rise to newness of life. Grant that the missionaries may reach them with the message of the Cross that they may believe and live.

Wherever consecrated men and women are engaged in the blessed task of bringing the Gospel to the heathen, do Thou give success to their labors. Open the hearts of many to receive the saving Word of reconciliation. Establish Thy Church in the midst of the enemies, and let the fruits of true righteousness abound. Give Thy protection to all our missionaries abroad, and ward of all persecution. Keep them healthy and strong in body and mind. Give them the grace to be patient and faithful, and finally receive them and those whom they lead to Christ into the glory of heaven. I ask it in his name. Amen.

Taken from The Lutheran Book of Prayer, 1951

Local Evangelism and Frontier Missions by John Piper

Great explanation by Piper on the difference between local evangelism and frontier missions… and why we need both.

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Today’s Prayer and Hymn for Missionaries

O God, who willest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth: Prosper, we pray thee, our brethren who labor in distant lands (especially those whom we now name before thee). Protect them in all perils by land and sea; support them in loneliness and in the hour of trial; give them grace to bear faithful witness unto thee; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness, and finally obtain a crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

A Hymn for Missions and Missionaries:
“How Shall They Hear the Word of God?“

How shall they hear the word of God unless they are told?
How shall the sinful be set free, the the sorrowful consoled?
To all who speak the truth today,
impart your Spirit, Lord, we pray.

How shall they call to God for help unless they have believed?
How shall the poor be given hope, the prisoner reprieved?
To those who help the blind to see,
give light and love and clarity.

How shall the gospel be proclaimed that sinners may repent?
How shall the world find peace at last if heralds are not sent?
So send us, Lord, for we rejoice
to speak of Christ with life and voice.

Hymn number 649 from The United Methodist Hymnal

What is the Purpose of Missions? by John Piper (video lasts 2 minutes, 42 seconds)

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Today’s Prayer for Missionaries

As I mentioned in yesterday’s “prayer for missions,” our church sent a team of thirty folks early this morning (including my sweet daughter) on mission to Guatemala. I thought I would share a prayer for them, and for missions in general, each day that they’re gone. Today’s prayer is for missionaries…

PS – don’t miss the very short video below featuring John Piper talking about missions…

Almighty God, Father of all mercies: Graciously behold these thy servants now [on mission to Guatemala]. Endue them with thy Holy Spirit, enrich them with thy heavenly grace, and strengthen them for the tasks which lie ahead; that in all their works, begun, contined, and ended in thee, they may glorify thy holy name, and advance thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Family, 1965

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A Prayer for Missions

My precious daughter leaves for a mission trip to Guatemala in a few hours, so I thought I would share these two prayers for mission work…

O merciful God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou has made, nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

O most merciful Saviour, who willest that all men should be saved; be present with those who are gone forth in thy Name to preach the Gospel in distant lands, especially Southside UMC’s mission team to Guatemala. Be with them in all perils, in sickness and distress, in weariness, in disappointment. Give them sure confidence in thee. Pour out upon them abundantly thy Holy Spirit, and prosper mightily the work of their hands; send unto them faithful and true fellow-laborers. Give them a rich increase there, and grant that hereafter they may dwell with thee in the heavenly places, world without end. Amen.

Taken from The Pastor’s Prayerbook, edited by Robert Rodenmayer, 1960

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The Task of Missions

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A Prayer for Missions and Missionaries

O God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature: Make us faithful and obedient to do thy holy will. Give us compassion for all who are unaware of thee in all the world. Send forth, we beseech thee, laborers into thy harvest. Protect and guide them wherever they go. Give them patience, love, and a right judgment in all things, and give them fruit for their labors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from The Book of Worship for Church and Home of The Methodist Church, 1965

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Calling All Mission-Minded Men at Southside

Brothers,

Below is some information about the mission trip to Guatemala that some of the men of our church will be going on this coming April. The info-meeting referred to has already happened, but the contact information is still good and it is definitely not too late to learn more and/or sign up, though space is limited. (Just to be clear: this mission trip is open to any and all men at Southside… though, as I said, space is limited.)

PS – One of the best and most inspiring messages I ever heard on missions was by John Piper. You can read or listen to the message by clicking here.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

Have you been looking for a way to put your faith in action?  Has God begun to give  you a heart to serve?  Do you desire to deepen your relationship with God by sharing His love with others?

Then we’ve got a trip for you!

The Baxter Boys men’s ministry here at Southside is sponsoring a mission trip to Guatemala on April 21-29 of 2012.  We will be involved in a construction project with the Mission2Guatemala team–the ministry our youth have worked with over the past few years–and will stay at their center in Chisek.  The cost of the trip will be $1500 per person which includes airfare, living expenses in Guatemala,  and construction materials for the project.  A deposit of $400 will be due by January 15, and we hope to offset the rest by fundraising.

We will have an exploratory meeting on Wednesday, December 14 at 5:45 PM in the Family Life Center main area.  We will discuss the trip, pass out the FAQ sheets from M2G and plan fund raising.  If you have any questions or are interested but cannot attend, contact David Preston at prestondinjax@aol.com or 616-6817.  You don’t have to be a “Baxter Boy,” just a man of God willing to rise up and go forth in His name.  See you on the 14th!

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