EMQ » July–September 2018 » Volume 54 Issue 4
Marvin J. Newell
[memberonly folder=”Members, EMQ2YearFolder, EMQ1YearFolder”]Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 8; American Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 22. These holidays present the ideal opportunity for those of us serving as missionaries to pause and thank the Lord for the blessing of His call on our lives. I offer this prayer as a guide; perhaps you’ll want to add more of your own.
Dear Lord Jesus, I am grateful that …
You have granted me the privilege to serve you cross-culturally
You have given me a burden for these people to whom you have sent me
You have given me a passion to serve you and these people well
I thank you that …
I am sent out by my mission-minded church as their ambassador
I am upheld in prayer by many persevering saints
I am financially supported by a faithful support team
I receive on-going moral support from many who encourage
I am well supplied and technologically connected
I have the government’s permission to live in this country to which you have called me
I have valuable coworkers who help share the workload
I have discerning national partners who advise and help
I have an understanding spouse who gracefully shares the load
I have a good grasp of the language, so I may communicate well
I have a growing understanding of the culture, so I may fit in well
I have a familiarity with the people’s worldview, so I may not be judgmental
I have the inspiring examples of many others who served cross-culturally before me
I have superintending leaders who want to see me and my ministry thrive
I have your Word, which is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I have your presence that promises help whether in danger, or keeping me from it
I have your Spirit that enlightens, counsels and comforts me
I have opportunity to pray that reminds me to depend on you
I have, by my presence here, a testimony of light within this darkened community
Additionally, I am thankful that…
I am no longer mono-cultural but enriched by broader cultural experiences
I am no longer monolingual but enhanced in ability to communicate more broadly
I am no longer fixated on one country but willing to live as a sojourner anywhere
I am no longer entangled in worldly possessions or affairs but focused on your calling
I am no longer looking backward but rather forward and upward to what lies ahead
Dear Jesus, thank you for the honor of serving as your missionary—as a bearer of your gospel—at this particular time and in this specific place. Amen.
So, whether you are a Canadian pausing to give thanks to God for your calling on October 8, or an American doing likewise on November 22, may you find this missionary prayer inspiring. You may even want to read it at your family table as an affirmation to your loved ones who join with you in your calling.
Marvin J. Newell, DMiss
Editorial Director
