8 Powerful Scriptures to Pray Over Missionaries

The life of a full-time missionary is not for the faint of heart.  They leave their homes, families, and everything they know for one purpose: to share God’s message of hope and love with the world.

Missionaries need committed supporters back home.  They need monthly financial support, ministry resources, and tech equipment.  They long for our words of encouragement.  Sometimes they even ask for our physical presence to help with large projects and outreaches.  But if you ask any missionary what they need the most, you will get one consistent, resounding request: “Please pray for us!”  But it can be hard to know what exactly to pray if you haven’t been there yourself or if their outgoing communication is limited.

When you’re not sure where to start, start praying scripture over them.  Below are a few areas where missionaries most desire your prayers.  Use these verses to help direct your prayer time and speak life-giving words over your missionaries abroad.

1. Strength and perseverance

Missionaries can often feel as though they’ve sown much with a little harvest.  Pray for their strength and endurance to run the race — that the Lord would remind them He is working deep in hearts even when it seems like nothing is happening.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

2. Encouragement

Pray against discouragement, disappointment, fear, and doubt.  Ask the Lord to bring people across their path who would encourage and uplift them.  Be that person yourself!

“Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” – Psalm 112:6-7

3. Provision

On a tight, missionary budget, the smallest unexpected expense can create a major financial strain.  Pray for God’s provision over their family and ministry.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

4. Protection and safety

Pray for your missionaries’ safety and protection.  Ask the Lord to protect them against illness, injury, and danger.

“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” – Psalm 121:8

5. Joy in trials

The joy of the Lord is our strength!  Pray that the joy of the Lord will sustain your missionaries in every trial and setback.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” – Psalm 126:5-6

6. Darkness lifted

Missionaries walk boldly into some of the darkest areas of the earth.  They confront spiritual and physical oppression that we can’t imagine.  Pray that the light of God would shine through them, lifting darkness and oppression as they share His love.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” – Isaiah 61:1

7. Divine opportunities

Ask God to set up divine appointments and open doors for ministry that only He can make possible.

“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4

8. Open hearts

Like the seeds that fell on fertile soil in the Parable of the Sower, ask the Lord to make fertile ground and prepare hearts to receive the gospel.

“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” – Jeremiah 24:7