Is Prayer Needed in Missions? Reflecting on the Unrighteous Judge

Is prayer needed in missions? I truly believe that it is needed. But I must admit that I am not sure in what ways it does. Let me suggest a few possibilities.

#1. Prayer is needed in missions because God will not bless unless he gets enough prayers to do so. This sounds rather dubious when it is first said. It sounds like God has a lot of good stuff tucked away and won’t release them unless someone prays— or maybe someone prays a lot— or maybe a lot of people pray a lot. Is that how God works? Perhaps. James 4:2 says that we have not because we ask not. Matthew 7:7 says that if we ask we will receive. Some note that a broader look at the issue of prayer in the Bible makes clear that prayer should align with God’s will. But if a prayer is in line with God’s will but then is not asked, does God withhold it. I don’t know— it sounds pretty transactional. Is God that type of patron?

I don’t think so…. but maybe a better way of looking at it is in the Parable of the Unrighteous Judge. This is in Luke 18:1-8. God is compared favorably with an unrighteous judge. The judge cares nothing for the woman and cares nothing for justice. His only reason for assisting is transactional. The woman wants justice, and the judge wants peace. If he grants justice, she will grant peace. God is somewhat similar in that he will give justice to the elect (precious chosen ones) who call out to Him day and night. However, there is a key difference. The judge does it as a transaction. God does it due to who He is (loving and just) and who is asking (those precious to Him).

#2. Prayer is needed because it changes us. This is a classic alternative, especially for those that feel that the sovereignty of God suggests that God does not, or maybe cannot change his actions about anything. I think that takes things too far, but certainly, prayer is good for us. I believe it is emotionally, mentally, and spiritually therapeutic. However, if that was all it was, it would act no more than as a form of self-therapy. Its value would not depend on whether God even existed, much less listened.

Bringing Luke 18:1-8 into it again, there is nothing about that parable that relates to this. There is no suggestion that the woman becomes accepting of the injustice against her… or even that she should. In the latter part of the parable, there is likewise no such call for the elect to “get used to injustice. This possibility seems inadequate.

#3. Prayer is needed because it builds human relationships. When supporters pray for missions, they are thinking about missions, missionaries, mission fields, and unreached peoples. People who pray also support in other ways. Again, however, if that was all it was, it would be no more than a form of advertising.

This is a good possibility. It does not, however, relate much to the parable. That being said, one can certain imagine the parable where her pleas unheeded by the judge led to others coming to her side and adding to the cacophony that drives the judge to act. One could even imagine the judge calling soldiers to drive away the woman… but the soldiers gain sympathy for her based on her words and then help her out.

#4. Prayer is needed because it builds a relationship with God. Relationships are built on communication.

This seems to go along with the parable pretty well. God answers the prayers of the elect for three reasons it seems: (a) Who God is, (b) Our relationship with Him, (c) Our communication with Him. Answered prayer is not transactional… it is relational.

So is prayer needed in missions? Yes, but I don’t think we can put it into a formula. I recall Bill Bright writing a book about how fasting is the “secret” to get God to do what you want Him to do. I must admit that I lost a fair amount of respect for him in that book (not that this knowledge would concern him even if he had still been alive).

We don’t have a secret method to get God’s blessings. But prayer does change things:

A. Prayer changes us…. conforming ourselves to God who knows best.

B. Prayer builds relationships with others…. People support what they pray for.

C. Prayer closes the loop on our relationship with God, communicating with Him based on who He is, and or needs to receive what is best for us.

Do I believe in prayer as a mission strategy— tearing down strongholds, binding the strong man, tearing down barriers to the gospel. Let’s just say I have my doubts. Of course, we know from Mark 9:24ff that God blesses those who doubt as well.