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The Role of Prayer in Missions, Part 2 by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     On May 12, 1792 William Carey published a little pamphlet entitled, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. By God’s grace, his words inspired the modern missionary movement, and by God’s grace, I’m praying that they will inspire a fresh passion for global missions at Glory of Christ.


     Having concluded that the church must take up the Great Commission and seek to bring the gospel to the world by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, Carey argued the importance of fervent and unified prayer. He then shared with his readers some recent answers to prayer, for he was convinced that answered prayer encourages persistence, and indeed, persistence is what’s needed. At that time, Carey and others gathered once per month to plead with God for the advance of the gospel. These meetings were not perfect, in fact, they were quite similar to many we’ve had at Glory of Christ through the years. That is, while his friends were faithful to come and willing to make their requests known to God, Carey reported that there was often a lack of the kind of fervency which he thought necessary to all fruitful praying. Yet, less than ideal action is better than inaction, and Carey believed that the Lord still heard and in measure answered their prayers.

     For example, he shared that some of the churches for which they had been praying were advancing in passion for God and fruitfulness in ministry. Where there had been doctrinal confusion and difficulty, churches were growing in agreement and relational unity. More Christians, pastors, and organizations were calling for the gospel to preached in places where it had not been heard, and “a glorious door” was opening in other places where the Catholic church was waning in power and influence. While the “inhuman Slave-Trade” had not been abolished, a noble effort was being made to do so and many were willing to persevere until they succeeded. Finally, the Lord was using a variety of circumstances to open up doors for the gospel in various places.

     While Carey felt that these things ought to encourage his readers, he concluded with words we would do well to consider. “Perhaps these things are small compared with what might have been expected, if all had cordially entered into the spirit of the proposal, so as to have made the cause of Christ their own, or in other words, to have been so solicitous about it, as if their own advantage depended upon its success. If an holy solicitude had prevailed in all the assemblies of Christians in behalf of their Redeemer’s kingdom, we might probably have seen before now, not only an open door for the gospel, but many running to and fro, and knowledge increased; or a diligent use of those means which providence has put in our power, accompanied with a greater blessing than ordinary from heaven.” The Lord alone knows, but for our part let us be passionate about calling on Jesus for the spread of the gospel!

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