How to Pray

How to Pray for Missionaries

Seven things all missionaries need, and which people forget to lift them up in prayer over:

  • Victory over mental stagnation
  • Freshness in prayer and in Bible teaching
  • Guidance in how to present the Gospel
  • Deliverance from the temptation to pride
  • Wisdom in relationships with other missionaries
  • Strength to overcome temptations brought on by loneliness
  • A saving sense of humor

From a missionary

Specifics to pray for When traveling:

  • That missionaries will pass effortlessly through customs and immigration lines
  • That the planes on which missionaries travel will not encounter mechanical problems or trouble from terrorists
  • That our missionaries will make all their connections
  • Health and safety objectives
  • Protection for the missionaries from accidents, crime, natural disasters, terrorists, and dangerous animals
  • Protection for the missionaries from sickness
  • That missionaries will find time for proper sleep, rest, and exercise
  • That missionaries’ food and water needs will be met
  • Spiritual care objectives
  • Times of intimacy for missionaries with Jesus in Bible, prayer and worship
  • Shielding for the missionaries from dark forces in spiritual realms
  • Preservation for missionaries from discouragement, fear, and doubt
  • That missionaries will demonstrate purity, humility, boldness, wisdom, patience, love for people, a teachable spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit
  • Teamwork objectives
  • That teams of missionaries will experience and express unity, love, good communication, patience, and spiritual gifts
  • That missionaries will resist temptations toward jealousy, envy, bitterness, and pride
  • That missionaries will be granted grace for cultural adjustments, dealing with jet lag, being away from family and friends and lack of privacy.
  • For missionaries to have wisdom to design and implement effective efforts that will make a long-term difference here . . .
  • and that they will be able to establish and maintain a solid friendships with government officials and other leaders in their chosen land.

Verses to read at prayer time

  • Exodus 4:12; 33:14
  • Psalms 4:8, 19:14, 121:1-8
  • Isaiah 40:29-31; 55:10-11
  • Zechariah 4:6
  • Acts 1:8, 4:29,30
  • Ephesians 3:16-20; 6:10-20

Portions adapted from an article by Gail Seiver in World Christian, Vol. 14, Number 4.