From the Editor’s Desk...

The last two issues of this newsletter focused on our role in serving as senders. The effectiveness of our missionaries on the field largely depends on how seriously we take this responsibility at home. And our responsibility goes much farther than what we drop into the offering basket on a Sunday morning. I believe the degree to which we enter into this burden and work is directly related to our prayer life. But really, where do my thoughts go when I pray for missionaries? I may have all the latest news and prayer requests in front of me, but still lack direction and passion in my prayers.

The key is vision. I must see beyond my prayer list. I must move beyond the routine. Meaningful praying is a lot like climbing up a mountain to a high peak. All your energies are channeled toward the upward trek. Your mind is focused on all that is needed to make the hike. Your body is goaded into action and disciplined for the sake of the goal— reaching those heights.

While living in Africa as a young man, my goal was to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Its huge, rolling, snow-covered top can be seen for miles around. But I was in a different country! I did, however, get to climb Mount Kenya with some experienced climbers. It is much steeper, but a shorter, more intense climb. Though right on the equator, its peaks are snow-covered year round and offer breathtaking views of the African bush.

We prepared with painstaking detail; the insulated clothing and special footwear, tents and stoves, dehydrated food carefully weighted out for each meal, and of course the daily workouts to get fit—the air is pretty thin at 15,000 feet! Porters helped carry our gear and supplies. The climb was rugged. We were ravenous, but drab food never tasted so good! And we were exhausted, but sleep was no problem on the hard frozen ground. But oh, the exhilaration of reaching the top—the beautiful panorama and the sense of accomplishment made it worth it all.

But there’s a deeper lesson here. It’s far more than just getting there, or about seeing answers to our prayers. Prayer should lead us into the very presence of God. What a joy to commune with the living God! Like the blinding sun on the snow-covered mountain peaks, so is the glory of God to those who reach the heights in His presence. Moses caught a glimpse of this. He was made to hide in the cleft of the rock, for the glory was overwhelming. This must be our vision as pray-ers—to spend time with God, to dwell in His presence in sweet communion. When this is so, praying is so rich we cannot find time enough for it.

In the first article on Scripture as prayer we look at a useful help when praying for missionaries. It leads us in praying according to God’s will. Following that are some excerpts from the lives of dear saints who went before us. We can learn much about prayer from them. They are our role models. George Mueller was a man who proved God in prayer again and again. Read about him in the book review. He is living proof that God delights to respond to prayers of faith. But the task is not yet finished. From the mountain heights we also survey the land, and see the lost still in waiting for the Gospel. In our country profile we turn to the Hindu nation of Nepal. I met a Nepali man a few weeks ago right here in town! I know God led me to witness to him. Many have fled this war-torn country still in darkness. This mountainous country has steep spiritual challenges too.

Prayer is like climbing mountains. It is arduous at times and the discipline rigorous. It requires energy and focus. But when you reach your destination it all suddenly seems worthwhile. Answered prayer is like that too. But we get to commune with the Master Climber all along the way! Don’t miss Him in your quest!!

Our prayer for you as you read this issue is that you would gain a fresh vision as a pray-er. May you be inspired to reach greater heights as you meet with God, and be able to say with the Apostle Paul: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! And may you ...be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Romans 11:33 and Ephesians 1:18-19).

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