What part does prayer play in both our own lives and the life of the church? In answer to this, I would like to consider a few things.

As Christians, we are in an unseen spiritual battle that we cannot win by ourselves. Our weapon against these attacks is prayer. The Lord has promised to answer and, “do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine”, Ephesians 3:20. Do we believe this and act as if it is the truth or do we do things in our own strength?

The work of the church can only grow as it prays and seeks God’s guidance. Without prayer, the programs and services are only done through our own human efforts. This leaves the door open for all kinds of spiritual problems and our influence and outreach will diminish accordingly.

The same is true for our missionaries. Many are in difficult places and don’t have much by way of Christian fellowship. Our prayers are what sustain them. When our church sends a prayer team, it is to address these ministries in prayer. Our prayers fight the spiritual battle against the forces of darkness in these areas. It can result in spiritual breakthroughs as well as help to grow their ministries.

This was the purpose of our prayer team that left for Paraguay this past September. The eleven of us spent five days with EMC missionary and MacGregor EMC members Travis and Rosie, as well as fellow EMC missionaries Chris and Revita who were with them to help. It was an eye-opening experience for us as we met people from their church and prayed with them. Then, we took in their services as well. What a blessing!

The leaders of our prayer team, Rolf and Angela, also brought their children along. It was a highlight for me to see how well they got along with Travis and Rosey’s children whom they had only just met. What a blessing that was, and what a hope for the future!

Most of the other ministries in Paraguay have been going for a number of years now. Some of the youth that our missionaries mentored are now in leadership roles and have great enthusiasm and vision themselves. In and through them, we could see the result that faithful prayer and ministering can have.

The ministries at Tres Palmas and St. Theresa are no longer EMC missions but are doing very well all the same. The radio station mission stood out for me. It is led by a Canadian and employs many local Paraguayans. It is reaching many people in isolated areas in their own language. They also do follow up with the listeners who respond.

We then visited and prayed for Campo Neuve, a new camp that is being built while also in operation. Campo Neuve, is run and supported mostly by local Paraguayans as well. Travis is involved in this ministry, though, and the family spent most of the summer there. The camp is the home base for a new ministry in the local public schools which have asked for help teaching moral ethics and Christianity. Also, a Christian band practices at the camp, performing in many places throughout the region.

Finally, we saw and prayed for a medical mission for those living with HIV/AIDS as well as an addiction center ministering to the great needs that are present in the region. Our trip ended seeing and praying for several more church ministries as well.

In Paraguay, God is hard at work and His word is going forth as a result. We can be a part of this work if we pray. The same can be true here at home, as well. Do we have a vision and the willingness to do spiritual battle for our community and country? Do we have the drive to pray? My prayer is for a spiritual revival here in Canada. I want to be faithful in prayer.