The definition of a Christian missionary is “someone who takes a religious mission to spread the Word of Christ”. It’s an act of personal sacrifice in order serve others in Christ.
For this reason, missionaries are well-respected in their church and community, not only for spreading the gospel, but for living a purpose-driven live often without worldly riches or fame.
Saying a prayer for missionaries is an easy, yet powerful way to support them on their mission. In this article, we’ll review how to pray for missionaries and share ideas for missionary prayers.
If you don’t know any missionaries on a personal level, ask your church if they have a “missions committee” that you could join. Chances are, your church would love for you to participate in supporting missionary women and men.
Missionaries Need Prayer – Domestic or International
When most people think about missionaries, they think about a far-off-land and foreign languages. It’s true, the call to be a missionary may take an individual or family far away, but they are just as likely to be called to serve as a missionary in their own community, just a few miles from their home.
Being a missionary can be a life-long commitment or a short-term trip (read more about How To Be A Missionary).
In either case, a missionary and their family are taking a literal “leap of faith”. They have been called on by God and rely on the blessings that God provides.
The support of friends, family, and the church are essential for a missionary. To be effective, they will need to plan. They will gather resources, and establish what often becomes a new home and way of life.
One of the most important things a missionary will need is prayer.
Prayers for missionaries may include a request for guidance, safety, knowledge, and patience. In the section below, we’ve provided a few important prayer considerations for missionaries and examples.
How To Pray For Missionaries
When praying for a missionary or missionary family, it’s important to speak with them and learn about their situation. Questions to ask should include their overarching goal and location.
- Have they visited the location before or are they relocating to a place they know little about?
- Is their main goal to translate the Bible, to build homes, or something different?
It’s also important to learn about their experience and their opinions of themselves.
- What is their experience as a missionary, as well as their strengths and weaknesses?
Inquire about their prayer requests. Often a missionary needs specific prayer to aid their unique situation.
- What prayer requests to the missionaries have?
Prayers for missionaries should be specific to their situation. For example, a missionary could use prayer for safety and cultural adaptation in a new location (also read: Where To Find Missionary Opportunities).
Another missionary prayer could focus on prayer for their children’s schooling, or for adequate funding to fulfill their calling.
The prayer itself, will be much like other prayers. It’s common to start with a few general sentences, by thanking God for the opportunity to pray and for the missionary. Use the missionary’s name to personalize the prayer.
The meat of the prayer should include specific needs for a missionary, for their family, and potential challenges they will prepare for.
To conclude the prayer, the message can be summarized and God thanked once again.
8 Best Prayers For Missionaries (Examples)
1. Strength
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Dear Father,
Thank you for bringing us together with (name). As missionaries they aim to share Your gospel to others and bring them closer to You.
(Name) they will be going far away from family and friends. Please give them the strength to use this opportunity to the best of their abilities and to inspire others to become closer to you.
They have already encountered so many blessings, but they will encounter set-backs, and disappointments. When times are tough, give (name) the strength to persevere, as You always have a way of making all things right.
Amen
>> Also Read: Examples of Blessing Prayers
2. Cultural Understanding
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have given the (name) family direction to go to (city, country). They will travel far to serve you. There they will learn a new culture, much different from the Christian values we appreciated in our country.
While they teach others about the Bible, teach them to learn from their community. Cultural assimilation, without compromising their faith, will lead them to connect better with you and the community they serve.
Provide them the patience needed to grow in a new country and the empathy to understand another perspective. As the (name) family grows in their new home, so too will their community grow to learn about You.
Amen
3. Safety
“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
Father in Heaven,
Today we gather to thank you and celebrate the service of the (name) family. They are about to embark on a new journey to a new land. With prayer and planning, they have prepared for this mission to share Your word with others.
Protect them, and lead them away from danger. Give them sound judgement to know when it is safe to share Your name and when it’s a time for discretion.
The (name) family is excited for this new adventure to serve you. Bless them and watch over them. In Your name,
Amen
4. Communication Skills
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger James 1:19
Dear God,
As we’ve learned in the Bible, we should be quick to hear and slow to speak. The missionaries before us today will need to retune their ears and relearn to speak. They will be in a foreign land, amongst those who do not share the same language.
Allow them to learn the host-country language in order to better spread your gospel. Their ability to communicate with the community they serve will increase their productivity.
Give them the words to share Your word with those around them.
Amen
>> Also Read: Prayers For Busy Moms
5. Patience
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Dear Father,
Today, we pray over our missionaries and bless their work in (city, country). They have decided to follow Your calling to mission work and for that, our church celebrates them and offers support.
We know that all good things come in Your perfect timing. Too often we start off on a new path and expect immediate results or we expect the road to continue straight, when in fact, it turns.
Provide our missionaries with patience. Guide them and show them the way. In patience, provide these missionaries with perspective that others don’t see. Their work is a marathon, not a sprint and you are the leader.
Amen
6. Vision
So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8
Heavenly Father,
You’ve given (name) a wonderful opportunity to serve in (city, country). They are truly blessed and we, as a congregation, are thankful to support (name) in their mission.
Lord, we know the road will be challenging, as the road to salvation is never easy. Give (name) the vision and perspective to know that their work is not measured in material ways. Their impact will be through relationships, trust, and bring people closer to you.
Allow us to see what others can’t. Let us trust You more as You lead (name) in their mission.
Amen
7. Opportunity
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:25
Dear Father,
Thanks you for bring us together to celebrate Your name. Our (brother/sister) in Christ is serving in missions and we pray for Your support.
(Name) is motivated to share Your word. (Name) has prepared for this opportunity and knows that bring others to Christ is not always easy. Provide (name) opportunities to go above and beyond what they have planned. Show (name) these opportunities and open their heart so they can be ready to accept them. We thank you for Your guidance and for the blessings in our lives.
Amen
8. Support
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
Dear Lord,
Today we gather pray for your blessings on this missionary family. The church supports this missionary and has helped prepare them under your watchful eye.
More important than the support the church provides, we pray for Your support. We also pray that the missionary finds ample support in their new community from individuals and leaders.
We know this missionary will not be alone. You will be by their side and guide them in all that they do. Thank you for your many blessings,
Amen
>>Also Read: Prayers For Safe Travel
Conclusion
The call to missions is a serious and worthy cause. Compared to church membership, missionaries are a select few and they should be appreciated.
There’s no better way to appreciate a missionary woman or man than to pray for them. Mission groups regularly meet to pray and support their missionaries, however, individuals, such as friends and family, can also pray for missionaries.
A prayer for a missionary can be standardized or be unique to a variety of circumstances. A new missionary might request prayer for general guidance, while a veteran missionary family might request a prayer for specific needs.
Prayers will also differ based on location. Is the missionary going abroad, or will their mission be close to home?
In any case, praying for a missionary will surely bring blessings. Pray over your missionaries and guide them in sharing the gospel.
