Their prayer letter

Missionaries all write regular prayer letters, so why not ask to receive them? They will keep you up to date with their work and personal needs. Remember, spiritual work can bring tears as well as joy; disappointment as well as hope. Working as a missionary can be lonely, so pray imaginatively for them in their work.

Their country

Pray for the leaders in your friends’ country. Pray for freedom to preach the gospel. For political stability.

Find out as much as you can about the country, its history, and what’s happening now. Read the papers. Watch TV. Use background information from Operation World, or from the agency your friends are working with. Organisations such as OMF produce regular prayer letters and fact sheets on the countries they work in and have a web site and magazine.

Their personal needs

Pray that your friends will feel at home in a new country, culture and climate.

Pray for their children, particularly if they are at school in a different country.

Pray for happy family times together, and for the children to love and serve the Lord.

Pray that they won’t resent being separated from their parents, and that the parents won’t fret about their children.

Pray for elderly or frail parents back home and for those who support them. Ask that God would look after them during your friends’ absence.

If the missionary is single, feelings of loneliness and isolation may creep in. Pray for good, sustaining friendships, for holiday arrangements and time to relax and unwind.

Pray for your friends when it’s time to adjust back to life in their own country. Pray that as they visit churches and supporters they would build strong links and renew relationships.

Pray for good relationships with national Christian leaders and with fellow workers, some of whom may come from different cultures and countries.

Grasping the language takes time. Pray as your friends learn a new language, understand its nuances and attempt to communicate. Pray against set backs and discouragement.

Pray for their language helpers; people with the courage to correct and advise, and who will encourage your friends in their work.