When God Sparks an Idea

by Karen Burkett

A few years ago I felt God wanted me to do something to encourage people to pray for ministries. But what? I have a Christian directory, but that alone didn’t seem to be the way to go. I tried a Facebook page and a forum briefly. Still did not seem to be the way to go. Finally in January 2017 I began a blog, and that seemed to be the right choice. I called it simply Pray for Ministries Around the World.

Through the years I have worked to build a lot of connections (over 14,000 at this point) on LinkedIn for my editing business, and that turned out to be a great source for finding ministries wanting prayer. Now I get requests through LinkedIn, FB (including Messenger), and email.

The plan is simple. If they tell me about their ministry needs, I invite them to send me information for a blog post. If they have asked for financial support, I explain I am an older widow working from home but I can offer prayer support. Here is the basic wording I use for this invitation, tweaked as needed:

"I am doing a blog at https://www.PrayForMinistriesAroundTheWorld.blog, inviting people to pray. If you would like to send me more information about your ministry and some specific prayer requests, I’d be happy to consider them for a post. If you have photos you’d like me to include, please send those as well. Also let me know if you have an email address I can include on the post. (Feel free to email me at [email protected].)"

After the initial post, I send a message something like this:

"If you haven't already, please follow the blog (go to https://www.prayforministriesaroundtheworld.blog and click on "follow" in right column). Then you will receive all the posts automatically by email. I hope you will join me in praying for the other ministries as well. Also, it would be great if you would email these other ministries so encourage and pray together. (I have recently started including email addresses whenever possible). 

"Every month or two feel free to send me updates. If you prefer email, you may reach me at [email protected]. 

"Also, please check out this page on my website that offers free Christian resources: https://www.findchristianlinks.com/bible-study-resources.html. Please make special note of the free downloads (mostly for children) from iBless.it. They are available in more than fifteen languages. 

"Shalom!"

Each blog post appears on WordPress but also posts on my FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. They get the most exposure–and responses–on LinkedIn. Only God knows the prayers that have been offered and the ways he has answered those prayers. One of my hopes was that the ministries being posted would begin to pray for each other, and I believe that is happening some.

Recently I added (with the ministry leader’s permission) the pastor’s email address in each post for people to send their words of encouragement to the pastor. I hope that is happening. Although I don’t ask people to give, I am trusting God to prompt donations according to his plan. I have been blessed to send a few offerings.

I have been tremendously blessed as I get to “know” some of these pastors and we stay in touch. They pray for me and my family. Some pray for our country. I am so moved by hearing their hearts for God . . . their complete commitment to ministry . . . the sacrifices they make . . . and the ways God is moving through them to bring people to Jesus and to share his love by caring for the needs of the poor, widows, orphans, and more. I have much to learn from them.

I hope you will consider following the blog and joining me in prayer.

What ideas has God given you? He has a plan and purpose for each of us. When he sparks an idea, step forward and go for it! He will guide you and open doors, and you may be amazed how that idea blossoms. And you are never too old for him to use you. I will turn 80 this year and, praise God, still going strong!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT