Why Does a Campus Missionary Pray?

Col 4:2-5 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”

Prayer is the foundation for effective influence. Spending time with God, listening to him, and asking for his help is the foundation for serving Christ and his purposes.

What you do for God must flow out of your time with God. An effective Christian witness comes from a strong relationship with Jesus developed through time in conversation with God and the study of His Word.

If you are too busy to spend time with God, either you are busier than he intends for you to be, or you are not allowing God to direct and arrange your priorities.

Prayer lines us up with God’s desires and plans. In simple terms, prayer is conversation with God. It is also how we express our desires, concerns, and dependence on Him.
Prayer is not a way to get what we want in our lives; instead, it is a way to get what God wants in our lives.

God wants to reveal Himself and His plans to you. Because He wants to reveal Himself, taking time to listen to God—not just to speak to Him—is vital prayer.

Listening is how we see His perspective and sense His direction in our lives. Prayer does not cause God to do things that He is reluctant to do. Instead, aligns us with what God wants to do and is already doing.

It puts us in touch with his heart and allows us to fulfill our part in His plans.

Paul offers this challenge to His young associate, Timothy, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone saved and to understand the truth” (1 Tim 2:1-4).

Prayer prepares others’ hearts to receive the message and is key to effectively reaching others with the message of Christ.

In John 6:44, Jesus said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.”

It is not your words that will cause people to respond. The Holy Spirit’s power convinces people of the truth and turns their hearts toward faith in Jesus The Holy Spirit does this work in response to the faithful prayers of Christians. Prayer is the force that unleashes the Holy Spirit’s power, making your efforts communicate Christ’s message effective.