Unless someone goes, there is no missions. But equally true, unless someone sends there is no missions. And in all likelihood, unless someone prays, there is no missions. All of these actions are valid responses to the Great Commission. Not everyone can or will go, but someone must. Someone must also support. The story goes that when William Carey acceded to go to India, his words to his comrades were, "I will go down into the well if you will hold the ropes."
The Apostle Paul appealed to the Roman Christians for their support for his journey to Spain: "How can they preach unless they are sent?" (10:15a). He also asked for their prayers: "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" (15:30). He would go if they would "hold the ropes." In his previous journeys he had enjoyed the support of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26; 15:40; 18:22-23) with some help from Philippi (Philippians 4:15-16). He especially valued prayer as shown by his frequent requests (Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
Praying, supporting, going -- each of these actions shows obedience to the command to evangelize the nations as long as the praying is not for our own concerns, the supporting is not for our own causes, and the going is not for our own convenience.
In the coming days I will examine these roles further. Will you begin now to pray about what role the Lord would have you to play?
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