Pray for "all men." We usually pray more for things than we do for men. Our prayers should be thrown across their pathway as they rush in their downward course to a lost eternity.”
― E.M. Bounds
THE BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIANS.
A story was told of a particular missionary who served God diligently, but suddenly lost his wife, and so he became so furious and angry with God “Lord, I have served you all my life, why do you have to take my wife from me?”.
Because of the happenings, he left the mission field, abandoned his little daughter in a mission home and left for the US. Being overwhelmed by this happening, he gave himself to alcohol, smoking and all manner of evil vices, until he lost his relationship and stand with God.
The missionary, while on the mission field sows a seed of the word in the life of a young lad who hawks around the mission quarters.
According to the story, it was told that his ministration to this young lad looks as though a wasted effort. But certainly not!
The young lad he once preached to, is now a missionary and was desperately looking for his spiritual father who led him to Christ but, he was nowhere to be found, until one day he was privileged to travel to the US for a program to preach the gospel, He called the name of his spiritual father who led him to Christ, fortunately, the daughter he abandoned years ago was also in US for the same program, she said to herself that's my father, and meet with him after the service to discuss their father.
They joined forces together and looked for him and later found their father already in the final stage of his life, living a frustrated life, they rededicated him to Christ before he passed on to glory.
So, it’s very important to pray for our missionaries and other church members who have given up on God as a result of life's challenges and pains.
PRAYERS FOR THE BACKSLIDDEN MISSIONARIES AND BELIEVERS
➢ Pray for sincere repentance and a renewal of their commitment to God. Acts 3:19
➢ Pray that they return wholeheartedly to their first love in spirit and in truth before it’s too late. Rev. 2:4-5
➢ Pray for a renewed mind and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Rom 12:2
➢ Pray for hunger a thirst for righteousness and a desire to pursue God wholeheartedly. Math.5:6
➢ Pray for them to find a supportive Christian community and accountability partners to walk alongside them in their journey of faith. Heb.10:24-25
➢ Pray for a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness despite past failures. 1 Thess.5:18