Most Christians would agree that prayer is a Biblical concept and it is a powerful tool to use in our relationships with the Lord. However, many Christians, myself included, can fail to pray often or intentionally. It is especially important that our prayers exceed our own needs. We should pray for the world, the global believers, and the unreached. Prayer can be hard, therefore, I have compiled dozens of prayers for missionaries and by missionaries.
What is a missionary prayer? A missionary prayer is a prayer specifically spoken by a missionary or for a missionary. Missionary prayers can be personal, or they can be for the sake of the world, and those in ministry. These prayers can be on behalf of unreached people. They can also be for particular missionaries, those sending missionaries, and the family of missionaries.
Scripture makes it clear that we are to pray continually. For this reason, I have made various categories of prayers to help you develop this spiritual discipline. The more we pray, the easier it gets. The more we pray, the greater our desire to pray becomes. Lastly, the more we pray, the more we see God working in the world.
- How to Pray These Prayers
- Prayers from Missionaries
- Missionary Quotes on Prayer
- Biblical Prayers for Missions
For each overall category, there are additional categories with more specific prayers. These include, but are not limited to, prayers about health, safety, love, encouragement, confession, family, God’s glory, and the unreached.
How to Pray These Prayers
The following prayers have been compiled from missionaries and those in ministry. You can pray these prayers exactly how they are stated. You can pray them on behalf of yourself, or others. At times, you may need to rephrase the prayers, scripture, or quotes to fit your topic. However, you can mirror the theme, content, or intention of the prayers.
These prayers, quotes, and scriptures can either be used for inspiration for your prayers. Or, you can use them as your own personal prayer. There is no deterrence when you pray a prayer that has already been spoken. In fact, it is extremely powerful to pray scripture since it is the very words of God.
As you get more comfortable in prayer, especially intercession for missionaries and the world, you can add additional prayer points. Begin in silence and focus yourself on God. Thank Him for all He has done. Ask Him to unify your thoughts, desires, and prayers to His perfect and goodwill.
Prayers from Missionaries
“Here I am, Lord, send me; to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort in earth, or earthly comfort: send me to death itself, if it be but in Thy service and to promote Thy kingdom.” – Frances Xavier
“Lord bend us.” -Evan Roberts
“Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous; Teach me to serve thee as thou deservest; To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to seek for rest, To labour and not to seek reward, Save that of knowing that I do thy will.” – Ignatius of Loyola
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury, pardon. And where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, joy.” – Saint Francis
Prayers of God’s Glory
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, not so much to be understood as to understand, not so much to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.” – Francis of Assisi
“Oh Lord, You’re beautiful. Your face is all I see. For when Your eyes are on this child, Your grace abounds to me. Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clean. Replace the lamp of my first love, that burns with holy fear.
I want to take Your Word and shine it all around. But first help me just to live it, Lord. And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown. For my reward is giving glory to You.” – Keith Green
Prayers for Divine Obedience
“Lord of truth, refuge and strength. Your Word is sure, true and altogether righteous. I ask that You would cause me to thirst anew for Your Word each day. Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow them to the end. Give me understanding so I may treasure Your Law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain or a foolish squandering of that which You have given me. Turn my eyes away from worthless things and preserve my life according to Your Word. Fulfill Your promise to Your servant so You may be feared and praised. May Your Word dwell with me so my lips might boldly declare Your truth, love and mercy toward sinners. This I ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.” – Natalie Regoli
“Through this intercession help us to reach out with the healing touch of Christ who calls us to holiness and to Mission. May we build communities which are signs of your presence, and share the Good News of salvation with all peoples. For this we dedicate ourselves, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” -Natalie Regoli
Prayers of Confession & Petition
“Blessed Lord God, who by Your Son commanded me to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, increase my faith and zeal that I may more earnestly desire the salvation of all people. I confess that often my heart is cold and my ears are dull to Your mission cry. I have not deserved to be called to Your church and privileged to become Your messenger.
Forgive my indifference for Jesus’ sake, and by Your Holy Spirit fill my heart with a burning zeal to bring the light of the everlasting Gospel to unbelievers—both at home and abroad. Give me a loving heart, sincerity of speech, and piety of life to adorn my Christian profession of faith. May I never by ungodly conduct or unbecoming speech give unbelievers an excuse for criticizing the Gospel of Christ.
Knowing that this world is drawing to a close, may I by Your Spirit’s prompting support the mission program of my church with my personal witness, my earnest prayers, and my sacrificial gifts. Grant that through me many may be saved from the kingdom of darkness for the kingdom of Your light, through Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Lord. Amen.” -Natalie Regoli
Prayers of Health and Safety
“Lord of the harvest, protect Your workers. Shield them from danger, disease, deceit, delusion, divisions, diversions, denial, and demonic oppression. Keep them hopeful in times of disappointment and discouragement – those unavoidable realities that build character and faith. Give them the determination to glorify you, whatever the cost. Amen.” -Natalie Regoli
“Dear Lord I pray this prayer of health for these dear servants of Yours. Help them to always know what Your word says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; or for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. “(Psalms 91:1-6 KJV). You are the Great Physician and I place their health in Your hands.” -Natalie Regoli
Prayers for Those Back Home
“Lord our God, loving Father, we humbly pray to you for our beloved missionaries, heralds of the Gospel. May our prayers reach their hearts that they may feel our love, our strength, our faith.
May our prayers reach their hearts that they continue with your zeal the mission you entrust them with. And may their presence in their community be a reminder of your presence among us. Amen.” -Natalie Regoli
“Dear Lord, as this family goes to serve you, whether it be in a foreign land or even just to another area of their own country, please keep their relationship strong. I ask that you remind them that they are very special to one another, especially while they are serving you in this manner.
Please also protect and provide for the family and friends that they have left behind. Help them to look forward to the next time they are able to see one another. Remind them to pray too because You love to hear from Your children. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen” -Natalie Regoli
Prayers for the Unreached
“Dear God, I pray for these people whom you have sent that they will have open doors and that when they open their mouth that the Holy Spirit will speak the words with great clarity. I pray that they can explain in no uncertain terms that Jesus is the Savior of the world and that He willing gave His life to pay their sin debt.
I pray that they will understand that Jesus also proved victory over death by rising from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. This, I pray, that truth will convert souls and change lives. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” -Natalie Regoli
“God of truth and love, Father Son and Holy Spirit, Hear our prayer for those who do not know You. We ask that they may come to a saving knowledge of the truth and that Your Name may be praised among all peoples of the world. Sustain, inspire and enlighten Your servants who bring them the Gospel.
Bring fresh vigor to wavering faith; sustain our faith when it is still fragile. Continually renew missionary zeal in ourselves and in the Church; raise up new missionaries who will follow You to the ends of the world. Make us witnesses to Your goodness; full of love, strength, and faith – for Your glory and the salvation of the entire world.” -Natalie Regoli
Missionary Quotes on Prayer
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” -Jim Elliot
“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” – Mother Teresa
“Prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work.” – A.B. Simpson
“God Hold us to that which drew us first, when the Cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else.” -Amy Carmichael
“Facebook proves the very fact that is it a lie that ʻwe do not have enough timeʼ to be gathered for prayer in the name of world missions.” – Unknown
“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey
“God’s part is to put forth power; our part is to put forth faith.” – Andrew A. Bonar
“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” – Max Lucado
“If you believe in prayer at all, expect God to hear you. If you do not expect, you will not have. God will not hear you unless you believe He will hear you; but if you believe He will, He will be as good as your faith.” – Charles Spurgeon
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther
Quotes on the Power of Prayer
“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.” – Billy Graham
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.” – Mother Teresa
“In no other way can the believer become as fully involved with God’s work, especially the work of world evangelism, as in intercessory prayer.” – Dick Eastman, president of America’s National Prayer Committee
“We can reach our world if we will. The greatest lack today is not people or funds. The greatest need is prayer.” – Wesley Duewel, head of OMS International
“The man or woman at home who prays often has as much to do with the effectiveness of the missionary on the field, and consequently with the results of his or her labors, as the missionary.” – R. A. Torrey, Congregational evangelist and pastor
“Just a word of warning. Passionate prayers not only change the world, they have a way of transforming the people who pray. God’s goal is to recruit every one of us for his search and rescue team.” – Debbie Meroff
“God is looking for people to use, and if you can get usable, He will wear you out. The most dangerous prayer you can pray is this: ‘Use me.’” – Rick Warren
“She (my mother) became a warrior far superior to any epic hero. She became a giant on her knees. With a sword in one hand she battled the enemies of death and disease, and with her other hand stretched toward heaven she kept beseeching God’s help and His mercy.” – Bishop T.D. Jakes
Find more powerful quotes from missionaries on prayer in my blog, “Inspiring Prayer Quotes from Missionaries Around the World.”
Biblical Prayers for Missions
Although the terms “missions” and “missionary” or not explicitly stated in scripture, the concept of missions is extremely Biblical. There are certain verses that pertain to the work of spreading the gospel across the globe, helping others, and continuing the work of Christ. In addition, there are specific prayers we see in scripture that we can use while praying for a missionary or for missions as a whole.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer can be found in Matthew 6:9-13. “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
This prayer can be prayed specifically for missions because it focuses on God’s Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. The other points are also applicable for the needs, endeavors, and focus of missions.
Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden
John 17:15-23, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”
The Prayer of Jesus’ Mission
Isaiah 61:1-4, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated, and will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Pray that this same ministry would be awakened within the global body of Christ. Pray that they would become like Christ and live in the ways that He did.
Prayers of Love
Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Prayers for Refreshment and Strength
Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Pray that missionaries will have the humility and will to come to the Lord with their heavy burdens. Pray that they will find the rest and refreshment that they desperately need. Additionally, pray that they would be strengthed in Christ and find rest for their souls in Him.
Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalm 112:6-7, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Psalm 126:5-6, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
Prayers of Provision
John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.” Pray that missionaries will remain in Christ and therefore, bear fruit. Pray against anything that would take them away from Christ and His vine.
Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 121:5-8, “The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Prayers for the Gospel to Spread
Colossians 4:2-3, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
Prayers of Awakening
2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Ephesians 1:18-23, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”
Jeremiah 24:7, “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.”