Fifteen years ago this month, right before getting married, I quit my administrative job to enter into vocational ministry as a prayer missionary. We used our ministry nonprofit to set up what we called the “Levite Fund” for me and others to raise support in doing missional worship & prayer ministry. By God’s grace, I have been able to give myself to this calling for far longer than I ever suspected.
As a “prayer missionary” I have been called first and foremost to minister to the Lord as my job. Much of my “work” is a hidden labor of prayer.
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.”
Oswald Chambers
Secondly, it means I’m called to serve others in helping them minister to the Lord – whether that’s leading worship, organizing prayer meetings, teaching on the value of worship/prayer, launching prayer ministries, hosting worship events or administrating worship & prayer movements/initiatives.
It’s truly a missional calling because prayer and worship are at the root of the fulfilment of the Great Commission. As Andrew Murray said:
“The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.”
So this has been our lifestyle for our entire marriage. Extravagant worship & prayer. Ministry to the Lord. Hosting His presence. Following His voice. Saying “here we are, send us!”. Trusting God, friends, family and the broader Church for our financial support. Living simply. Making sacrifices. Making mistakes. Having ups and downs. But by God’s grace… Somehow we haven’t given up.
It’s a huge honor, and it’s incredibly rewarding. It’s a joy. We have seen God do amazing things. And most of all, it’s wild to have ministry to God as part of my job. I’m so grateful!
It’s also been very challenging at times, as you can probably imagine. Most of the Church does not totally understand this kind of ministry. But the enemy does. Extravagant Spirit-filled worship and prayer is a direct assault to the darkness, and it’s a constant battle. But we wrestle knowing that the war is already won by Jesus. We go forward in confidence in His calling, His goodness and His provision for our lives.
Another fifteen years? Maybe! Who knows? We won’t give up. And to be clear, “not giving up” isn’t about just doing the same ministry job. It’s about staying steady in love and obedience for God. Wherever He leads. We just keep coming back to His presence, listening to His voice and saying “yes” when He speaks.
Lead us, Jesus! We will follow You.