2 Thessalonians 3: 1-2 , “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”

I have received several phone calls lately from family who are concerned for our safety here on the Juárez, Mexico/El Paso, Texas border. We feel the tension here in El Paso over the news concerning the immigrants who are coming our way. Already, we have seen the border patrol ‘environment’ more alert and dressed ready to take action if need be. We have seen people lined up at the border waiting for asylum and piling up at the border wall. We have had conversations with our church people over what to do if we cannot cross anymore, even temporarily. We feel no alarm when we cross the border as of yet and once we get up in the mountain where our church is, all is as it has always been. That may change, however, if tensions keep rising. We are watchful.

I have been posting lately a few prayers I had found in the back of a hymn book and I saw this one recently and thought it a fitting time to share it.

A Prayer for Missionaries 

O God, bless all those who have gone out to bring the message of the Gospel to other lands.

I remember before You

-Those who have to endure hardship and discomfort;

-Those who have to face peril and danger;

-Those who have had to leave their families and their children behind while they went out to other lands;

-Those who have had to struggle with a new language and with new ways of thought;

-Those whose health has broken down under that strain, and who have had to come home, not knowing whether they will ever be fit for their task again;

-Those who have to face constant discouragement in a situation in which no progress ever seems to be made.

Especially bless those who work in countries where new nations are being born, and where there is strife and trouble and bitterness in the birth-pangs of the new age.

Bless those who preach in the villages and the towns and the cities; those who teach in the schools and the colleges; those who work in the hospitals and among the sick; those who have laid their gifts of craftsmanship or administration at the altar of missionary service.

Help us at home never to forget them and always to pray for them. And help us to give generously of our money to their work so that it may go where we ourselves cannot go.

And bring quickly the day when the knowledge of You will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea: through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

(Found in the back of the hymnal: Praise! Our Songs and Hymns)