Prayer isn’t the benediction we add to missions work—it IS the work. Discover why this truth changes everything about reaching the world.

If we are going to work for God, we must do it God’s way. If we are going to reach the world with the gospel, we must do it God’s way.

In the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 13, we have an example of a man of God attempting to do something good, yet doing it in a manner other than what God prescribed.

Samuel the prophet had told God’s anointed to gather the troops to go to battle against the Philistines. Samuel told Saul that in seven days, he would come to offer a sacrifice and ask God for a blessing in battle.

Saul hurried off and gathered the troops. Day six passed, and still no sign of Samuel. On the seventh day, morning turned to noon and noon to late afternoon. The hour was growing late, and the troops were becoming restless and scattered.

Seeing the late hour and the need to rally the troops to fight the enemy of God, Saul commanded his servants to bring the animal for sacrifice. Saul proceeded to slay the animal and offer the sacrifice to God. Doubtless, the troops rallied, and excitement ran through the ranks. New volunteers enlisted in the enthusiasm of patriotism.

Saul thought that he had found a solution to God’s problem. But in doing so, he had neglected to promote and obey God’s prescribed way of doing things.

No sooner had Saul finished sacrificing than Samuel arrived. Samuel was not late. God’s representative was precisely on time.

In carrying out Christ’s commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, I believe many times we are guilty of the sin of Saul. We see troop enlistment declining, yet the battle grows more intense. The population on the home front seems too busy with the pursuit of creature comforts to be interested in marching to the front line.

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