In today’s passage we see that Paul—one of the great missionaries of the early church—needed prayer partners, and he probably had many. Today’s text gives us a helpful start on how to pray for missionaries and other gospel workers.

We can pray that God will give them the right words (relevant and effective messages); that they will make known the true gospel (free of false teachings); and that they will proclaim it courageously (knowing when to challenge false ideas and practices, and when to leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict people of the truth).

In the film Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler was able to prevent many Jews from going to the gas chambers in World War II. But toward the end of the film, he sobs, saying, “I didn’t do enough. . . . I could have saved more.” Missionaries can have similar guilt feelings about people they haven’t reached or work left undone. Ask God to give them peace and to leave the unfinished work in his hands, guiding them to see the right priorities. May God show them bridges that will overcome barriers; provide healthy family relationships, friendships, and connections with fellow workers; and supply guidance for training local leaders to continue the ministries.

Let’s stay connected with our missionaries, receive their prayer concerns, and pray faithfully for them.