Turning his back on a promising engineering career, 22 year old James O. Frasier went to the mountains of China to reach the Lisu tribespeople of Yunnan Province with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Intense opposition confronted him. Not afraid of primitive living, James was an adventuresome person who loved mountaineering. But the thought of working alone to start a church that could stand against such a powerful form of spirit worship was daunting. Though all God’s hosts stood with him, James realized that “he would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain sailing in any work of God.”
Feeling keenly his need for support, James wrote his mother asking her to consider forming a group of like-minded friends to faithfully pray for the work among the Lisu. “… I shall feel greatly strengthened if I know of a definite company of pray-ers holding me up. I am confident that the Lord is going to do work, sooner or later among the Lisu here.”
In return for their prayers, James promised to write the group regularly. Many agreed to share the burden with him, understanding their definite commitment. James relied so much on his prayer supporters that he sent them maps of the villages and detailed reports of the people. He wrote each supporter separately, sharing honestly about his joys and trials, and answering all their questions. When James battled with discouragement, impatience and listlessness on the field, the prayers of God’s people sustained him.
After experiencing seasons of virtually no fruit, their fervent prayers paid off. James excitedly reported of God’s work among the tribespeople. “…I find that in this new district alone there are over 240 families professing to be Christians…so there are now 450 families of tribespeople for whose teaching and shepherding we are responsible.”
There are no “solo workers” in God’s plan. Will you be a co-worker, lifting up missionaries and lost souls in your prayers?
Quotations from “Mountain Rain” by Eileen Fraser Crossman