Iread through the New Testament at least twice a year, sometimes even three andfour times a year. I love reading the New Testament, especially the epistles ofthe Apostle Paul as he writes to the churches. And I noticed these last fewtimes as I've been reading how many times the Apostle Paul asked for prayer.And I'm thinking about how if he, this anointed man of God, who writes 13 booksof the New Testament, asks for prayer on many occasions, how much more do I asa pastor, and pastors, need the prayers of God's people?
Today,again I am inviting you to join us in doing the great important task ofintercessory prayer for pastors in India who really have no connections withanybody but a small group of other pastors. The pastors we're working with andpraying for are over 600 men of God that are overseeing over 1300 churchesthey're working with. We have a great leader that oversees and loves them,prays for them, visits them, and encourages them. When I was there with them thispast January, I met with them, preached to them, took pictures of over 400 ofthem and, and told them I would have somebody individually praying for each oneof them.
Istill need at least 300 people to join me on this Pastors in India Prayer Team.So, please consider this wonderful opportunity to join us in the prayer effortand email at: pastormike@pmiministries.org
Noticehow the apostle Paul urgently asks for prayers from other people. Romans 15:30-32.“Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of theSpirit to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may berescued from those who are disobedient in Judea and that my service forJerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints so that I may come to you in joyby the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.” Here we seePaul praying for support for his ministry travels and service and asking forprotection against opposition that hinders the work.
InEphesians 6:19-20, Paul asked the church at Ephesus, "And pray on mybehalf that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth to makeknown with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador inchains, that in proclaiming it, I may speak boldly as I ought to speak."Paul here is praying and asking specifically for prayers to receive the rightwords and the courage to proclaim the gospel fearlessly even while imprisoned.And I can tell you the pastors in India are facing tremendous persecution. Iget emails and text messages regularly from our associates there that tell meabout this and I'll share some of that in the emails that I will be writing toyou.
In1 Thessalonians 5:25, Paul simply request, "Brethren, pray forus." And this is a concise direct appeal for prayer on behalf of Pauland his co-workers in the context of their ongoing ministry and teaching. InColossians 4:3-4, Paul writes, “Praying at the same time for us as well thatGod will open up to us a door for the word that we may speak forth the mysteryof Christ for which I have been imprisoned that I may make it clear in the wayI ought to speak”. Paul is asking for prayer for open doors to preach thegospel and opportunities. We can pray that for these dear pastors.
In2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Paul writes: “Finally Brethren, pray for us that theword of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified just as it did also withyou and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men for all men do nothave faith.” My friend, this is the request for prayers that we have forthose pastors in India. That God's word would spread quickly to the 3.4 billionpeople who have little or no access or to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thesepastors are working with many of those unreached people groups.
Willyou please email me and let me know that you'll join our Pastors Prayer Team.
Godbless!
