Fruitful Practices- #1 Prayer
Common Threads
More than any other time in history, we are seeing God move in various regions all across the Muslim world.
Research has shown that common threads can be traced through various stories of successful church plants in Muslim fields. As we want to see more churches successfully planted, we want to learn from these consistent threads or “fruitful practices.” In the quarterly SEND Hope and Light E-newsletter, we will be introducing eight fruitful practice themes.
Prayer
John 15:5~ "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." (NIV)
The first issue's fruitful practice theme is Prayer
. There is a tremendous need for confident and expectant prayer; for Christian workers and by Christian workers. There is need for us, as workers, to solicit committed prayer supporters and supply them with regular requests and updates. There is also need for us to find opportunities to pray with
the people we are trying to reach- for everyday situations concerning finances, health, relationships, etc.- allowing them to see the power of answered prayer.
To Be Seen by Men
We do not pray to be seen by others; we pray to be seen by others.
These two sentences seem to be directly opposed to each other, but they are not. They illustrate the tension we sometimes feel, living and ministering among Muslims. We do not pray to boast about our personal relationship with God, as if we are better people than others who do not pray. Jesus himself asks us not to do this. However, we do take opportunities to pray in front of others
, so that they can witness God answering our heartfelt prayers and identify us as spiritual people. This creates openness, so when our friends have spiritual needs and questions, they know that they can approach us.
The Straight Path
Many Muslims come to faith in Jesus Christ when they see the power of prayer in Jesus’ name.
Though they have ritually prayed a lifetime of memorized prayers in Arabic, these prayers have never touched their heart, soul and life! One of the ritual prayers, recited by our Muslim friends, asks God to reveal to them “the straight path” to God.
Pray that while Muslim hearts genuinely seek the “straight path to God,”
they will discover Jesus to be the one Way.
30 Days of Prayer
Would you pray for Muslims and for workers in the Muslim world?
Every year, we have a great opportunity to join with Christians around the world in praying for the Muslim world during the Islamic Month of Ramadan. Please check out the 30 Days of Prayer
web site or prayer guidebook to see how you can be part of reaching the Muslim world for Christ through prayer.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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