'Air cover' prayer gives supremacy

Prayer is the air cover that enables missionaries to take ground, says Marty Davison, who explains how faithful prayer support provides vital protection and strength for missionaries on the front line.

“It’s like hell on earth here. Isn’t anyone praying?” That’s what I shouted down the phone to a friend not long after arriving in the Amazon as a missionary.

His reply really impacted me and has stayed with me ever since.

“Yes,” he said. “We’re praying. Imagine how much worse it would be if no one was!”

During my time in mission, one thing I’ve learned again and again is that a prayer guard is essential. It’s the shield that makes everything possible.

I often think of it as being like air cover during a military operation. Having air supremacy means you can take ground because you are covered.

When I first started in my role as Elim UK’s International Missions Director, I had to go to an Islamic country after the tragic death of the son of an Elim Global pastor.

Having prayer cover over every detail – flight connections, baggage arrival, protection and wisdom – is paramount.

Knowing that support can be mobilised at the sending of a WhatsApp message brings enormous reassurance.

In my role there are also many times when I’m flying into countries and situations where I don’t know all the details or where I need to be spiritually sharp.

Here, I need to hear and discern what God wants me to say or do.

Sometimes I’ll be going in with a word and it’s important that God’s word is communicated clearly in a way that those listening can receive.

story continues…