Why Maps for Missions? Reason #1

1) Maps help "peg" world news into useful pieces of information that further equips me to mobilize, respond, and pray specifically.

They assist us in remembering the context of the Mission at hand, with all the economic, political, geo-physical, and relational implications. Riots in France have have spiritual implications. So does the assasination of a government leader. And a flooding in a Chinese mine. And a malaria pandemic in Africa. Christians impacted need prayers for wisdom. Non-believes need prayers that their hearts will be softened and their lives spared until they hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The church needs prayer to respond to specific challenges with boldness, determination, and love.

God is at work all over the world. Why limit our sight? Why miss out on enjoying and participating in God's master plan by focusing our attention on local news only?

You've probably experience the influence of maps yourself because of the war in Iraq. News reports with maps have transformed the way I think of missions in Iraq. I've always known that Iraq was a difficult country to share the Gospel in and that persecution was severe, but taking the time to look up events as they occur in war in Iraq has brought the people there closer to my heart. The war is so much more than physical, it is spiritual, and I am reminded of that as I trace my finger across my world map.

Weather, political concerns, famine, industry, education, etc... All these things affect propagationgation of the Gospel and the health and interests of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Taking time to map it, and trace your finger across the paper, takes information from the knowledge level, and brings it down to memorable level to act and pray on.

But why does it matter what is going on in India and Brazil and Venezuela? It seems to me that most fundamentally it is because we are commanded to care, to “weep with those who weep” and “rejoice with those who rejoice,” to “remember those in bonds,” and “bear ye one another’s burdens.”I have so far to grow in this area.

The important thing is that we are growing, and not just staying stagnant in our faith and actions living out the Great Commission.

Maps help us be specific in our praying. The more specific we are in praying, the more fervent and persistent we tend to be because we have opportunity to see very specific answers to prayer. The goal is not just to pray "for"missions, but pray in participation "with" the missionary movement. And if mapping helps me enter into this more freely, then by all means, let's map.