The Psychology of Prayer: A Theosomatic (Psycho-Spiritual) Approach to Missionary Care

Abstract

It was just before 4 p.m. when I received news that the 23-year-old son of a missionary couple had died that morning. After consulting with my colleagues at the General Conference, I purchased a ticket to go and support the family and the mission community where this young man and his family were serving. My flight would leave the following morning at 8 a.m. I had met the family when they attended Mission Institute at Andrews University a couple years ago. Both the husband and wife had just completed advanced degrees at Andrews and were looking forward to using their training in the cause of God to advance his kingdom. Their oldest son was not with them when they attended mission institute so I had not met him. Although I left as quickly as I possibly could, I still did not make it in time for his funeral. Unfortunately, I have made these kinds of trips before and they are always difficult. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all quote Jesus as saying “Anyone who desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). Those who accept a call to foreign missions accept Jesus’ invitation to self-denial and sacrifice in a very real sense. As missionaries leave family, friends, and homeland behind in order to carry the gospel to the world, they willingly embrace the self-sacrifice inherent in the calling. Few, however, are prepared for the incredibly high level of sacrifice that some are asked to make.