Intercessory Prayer and Missions for Africa for Christ

Intercessory prayer is a vital, sacred duty in the work of saving souls, as it connects human effort with the unlimited power of God to reach those who have not yet heard the truthPr 246.1+1. When we engage in earnest, persevering prayer for friends and neighbors, we recognize that every individual is a member of the one great human family and dear to the heart of God6MR 377.2+2.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer in Missions

• Awakening Desire for Souls: When self is put aside, an intense desire for the salvation of others is awakened, leading to importunate prayers that enter heaven on behalf of perishing soulsPr 246.1.

• Divine Cooperation: As you offer humble, heartfelt prayers for those you visit, Jesus adds His own intercession to your petitions and claims the gift of the Holy Spirit for the sinnerPr 244.2+1.

• Overcoming Spiritual Opposition: Rescuing souls from the devices of Satan is accomplished far more effectively through Christlike, humble prayer than by many words alonePr 44.2.

• Strength for Workers: We must wrestle with God for our ministers and missionaries, holding up their hands through prayer so they may be guarded from snares and kept holy in heartPr 248.1.

Practical Missionary Labor for Your Friends

Winning friends to Christ requires a combination of prayer and disinterested kindnessChS 113.5.

• Personal Interest: Follow the example of Christ by taking a personal interest in every individual, visiting them in their homes to talk, pray, and sympathize with themRH March 24, 1904, par. 4+1.

• Ministry to Physical Needs: Many are reached only through unselfish love; therefore, we should pray for the sick and relieve suffering to make it easier for them to believe in the love of ChristChS 113.5+1.

• The Use of Literature: A principal agency for enlightening those in need of truth is the printed page; we should pray for wisdom to place literature in the hands of our friends in a winning wayChS 196.2+1.

• Inviting and Educating: We should watch for opportunities to speak words in season and invite others to hear the word of God in faith, expecting a message from heaven6MR 377.2+1.

A Call to Support the Work in Africa

The mission fields in Africa are in great need of both financial support and spiritual intercession6T 27.3+1.

• Faithful Stewardship: God has made His people stewards of His means to bless humanity; bringing tithes and offerings into the storehouse allows the mission work to advance to new territoriesEA 194.6+1.

• Sacrificial Giving: Even children should be taught to sacrifice for missionary contributions to help establish schools and missions in needy fieldsGCDB November 15, 1887, page 4.5+1.

• Historical Precedent: In the past, Sabbath schools have responded heartily to appeals for the African mission, raising significant funds to support workers and establish the cause on a firm basisGCDB October 21, 1889, page 15.7.

Scriptural Examples of Intercession

The Bible provides many instances where intercessory prayer changed the course of history and saved lives:

• Abraham pleaded for Ishmael and interceded for the righteous in Sodom Genesis 17:18-20+1.

• Moses cried to the Lord for the healing of Miriam and for the pardon of Israel when they sinned Numbers 12:13+1.

• Samuel and Jeremiah constantly prayed for the people of God during times of trouble and apostasy 1 Samuel 7:5-12+1.

• The Early Church prayed without ceasing for Peter when he was in prison Acts 12:5-12.

• Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for us, and His prayer in John 17 serves as a model for how we should pray for unity and the sanctification of believers John 17:1-26+1.

Let us be much more with God in earnest prayer, for He is pleased when we importune Him for His grace and favor toward those who are in need of help6MR 377.2. Pray, and believe, and the Lord will certainly hear us6MR 377.2.