Prayers for missionaries can feel a little awkward if you don’t know where to start. You may feel like you’re supposed to know what to pray for or how to pray, but that simply isn’t true. Each of us is learning. Whether you’re a new Christian or merely looking to breathe fresh zest into your prayer life, here are four prayers for missionaries with bible verses you can pray to strengthen your missions team on the field.
Pray for Love Among the Ministry Team
Have you ever been on a long car trip with someone? At first, it’s all fun and games, but put a few hundred miles of close quarters between you and a friend, and things can get tense. It’s no different for missionaries.
When missionaries travel together, they share dining quarters, workspace, and sleeping accommodations. Jesus said; “Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) When he tells us this, he does so, knowing full well that we each have our annoying quirks.
Nobody knows better than Jesus about working in close quarters with the same people day in and day out. After all, he and his disciples were together every day. Ask the Lord to bless those on the mission trip with a heart of love for one another, forgiving each other freely, and exercising patience.
Pray that the Missionaries will Maintain Focus
Our mission trips are often projects designed to fill great needs. We build schools, churches, serve food to the hungry, and more. But we must never forget the great commission.
Jesus tells us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19)
Pray that the missionaries will keep their hearts and minds alert for every opportunity to witness the Gospel. Pray that they will have the courage to speak the truth, the boldness to communicate when they are challenged, and to exemplify Christ with integrity in all that they do.
Pray for Humility Among the Ministry Team
“For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)
Doing good works makes us feel great! As humans, we can be in jeopardy of forgetting that we do all things through Christ who strengthens us and not of our own accord. Pray that the missions team members will keep a humble heart as they go forward in service. Humility is the best protection against pride, which leaves us open to the enemy’s attacks.
Pray for Provision
When Jesus sent out his witnesses, he cautioned them against packing money and excess clothing, encouraging them instead to trust in the provisions provided in the villages they encountered (Matthew 10:9-10). Likewise, our missionaries depend on the kindness of others, stirred by God’s love to fulfill their needs.
Pray that the mission team would have the proper food, clothing, supplies, and finances necessary to preach the Gospel and meet the needs of those being served. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”(Ephesians 3:20)
