Overseas Missionary Fellowship
2531 Karuizawa
Nagano Ken, Japan
December 1953
A Request For Prayer
One of the greatest blessings I experienced while home was to have a few people here and there tell me that they had prayed definitely for me while I was in China. One summer night while traveling from one Bible camp to begin in another some miles away I stopped in late at a farmer’s house. The farm was in a pioneer area well off the main highway. It was not a large prosperous farm and this elderly couple knew what long hours of hard labour meant. Although they hurriedly prepared lunch and their kind hospitality refreshed me for the long drive through the night that was not the greatest blessing. Just before leaving they invited me into their humble living room and there pointed to a dozen or so missionaries’ pictures on the wall. These were their special prayer responsibility they told me and daily they interceded for them. What a thrill and joy it was to see my wife’s and my own picture amongst the others on that wall. These people though not rich in this world’s goods were certainly rich toward God!
I am sure that much of the blessing experienced by us during our time in China and especially while under communist occupation, was the result of the prayers of God’s people here at home.
Since coming to Japan and seeing firsthand the tremendous task which lies ahead I have been increasingly burdened to become acquainted with any who feel we are their special prayer responsibility, and should like to encourage others in entering into a similar ministry with us in our work. Our desire is to keep in closer contact with these than is possible by our circular letters, so that those who are praying faithfully and regularly can do so more easily and effectively.
I have been encouraged to make such a direct appeal for prayer by the example of the Apostle Paul. It is interesting to read how earnestly and repeatedly he appealed to those to whom he wrote for prayer. If the Apostle Paul felt the need for faithful intercession on his behalf how much more should we? Paul taught that the church’s primary responsibility was to be a centre of witness to all without Christ, and that in this ministry all members of the church have a vital part by intercessory prayer.
A ministry of intercession is more often hindered by lack of discipline than by lack of time. While the closet is no doubt the ideal place for prayer yet many of God’s saints have learned to pray while about their work; the housewife over the dishes, the farmer in his fields and the office worker on the way to work.
The pastor of the home churches is the most vital link between the foreign missionary and the praying people. However missionary letters can also serve this end and we trust that this one may do so. If this letter is a reminder to you to pray for that missionary who you promised to pray for when you bade farewell to him long months ago, why not begin to intercede again for him and write and ask for information for future intercession. This will be an encouragement to him and will also help to advance the work of the Lord in difficult places. If God lays us upon your heart please let us know and we shall be glad to keep in touch with you as frequently as the need seems to indicate.
Lea and Louise Little
[probably Lea]
2531 Karuizawa
Nagano Ken, Japan
December 1953
A Request For Prayer
One of the greatest blessings I experienced while home was to have a few people here and there tell me that they had prayed definitely for me while I was in China. One summer night while traveling from one Bible camp to begin in another some miles away I stopped in late at a farmer’s house. The farm was in a pioneer area well off the main highway. It was not a large prosperous farm and this elderly couple knew what long hours of hard labour meant. Although they hurriedly prepared lunch and their kind hospitality refreshed me for the long drive through the night that was not the greatest blessing. Just before leaving they invited me into their humble living room and there pointed to a dozen or so missionaries’ pictures on the wall. These were their special prayer responsibility they told me and daily they interceded for them. What a thrill and joy it was to see my wife’s and my own picture amongst the others on that wall. These people though not rich in this world’s goods were certainly rich toward God!
I am sure that much of the blessing experienced by us during our time in China and especially while under communist occupation, was the result of the prayers of God’s people here at home.
Since coming to Japan and seeing firsthand the tremendous task which lies ahead I have been increasingly burdened to become acquainted with any who feel we are their special prayer responsibility, and should like to encourage others in entering into a similar ministry with us in our work. Our desire is to keep in closer contact with these than is possible by our circular letters, so that those who are praying faithfully and regularly can do so more easily and effectively.
I have been encouraged to make such a direct appeal for prayer by the example of the Apostle Paul. It is interesting to read how earnestly and repeatedly he appealed to those to whom he wrote for prayer. If the Apostle Paul felt the need for faithful intercession on his behalf how much more should we? Paul taught that the church’s primary responsibility was to be a centre of witness to all without Christ, and that in this ministry all members of the church have a vital part by intercessory prayer.
A ministry of intercession is more often hindered by lack of discipline than by lack of time. While the closet is no doubt the ideal place for prayer yet many of God’s saints have learned to pray while about their work; the housewife over the dishes, the farmer in his fields and the office worker on the way to work.
The pastor of the home churches is the most vital link between the foreign missionary and the praying people. However missionary letters can also serve this end and we trust that this one may do so. If this letter is a reminder to you to pray for that missionary who you promised to pray for when you bade farewell to him long months ago, why not begin to intercede again for him and write and ask for information for future intercession. This will be an encouragement to him and will also help to advance the work of the Lord in difficult places. If God lays us upon your heart please let us know and we shall be glad to keep in touch with you as frequently as the need seems to indicate.
Lea and Louise Little
[probably Lea]