Someone recently gave me this terrific bookmark which lists several insightful ways that we can pray for missionaries. It’s called, “Prayers for Missionaries and Their Families” and it’s written by Heather Kaiser and published by Pray magazine.
It’s designed for you to personalize it with particular missionaries that you know of and may even support. Each of the points listed provides a blank space where you can fill in the individual names to make it more specific. I’ve found the resource to be so helpful that I’m going to be using it for the entire month at each of our services to pray those things over our Alliance missionaries, as well as some of the particular ones that are close to our own church family.
I’ve also decided to make it available to you right here, in the paragraphs that follow. I hope you’ll find it as useful as I did. However you use it, please make a commitment to pray for missions and for missionaries around the world.
Prayer for Missionaries and Their Families
(by Heather Kaiser)
Missionaries are like soldiers on the front lines of a fierce battle. These prayers will help you intercede more specifically and effectively for the missionaries you know.
Intimacy with God. Lord, keep _________ close to You. Cause them to love You with all their hearts, souls, and minds. Draw them into Your Word each day, and fill them with thankfulness. (Mt. 22:37; Col. 3:16)
Language. Help _________ to learn well the language of the people they serve so that they may present the gospel clearly. May their speech always be seasoned with love. (Acts 2:11; I Cor. 13:1)
Cultural sensitivity. Dear Father, enable __________ to understand and appreciate the local customs. Help them to be humble, wise, and respectful as they interact with others so that they will not offend their neighbors or sin against You. (I Cor. 10:23-32; Jas. 3:17)
Evangelism. Great God, equip __________ always to be ready to give an account for the hope that is in them. Teach them how to do so with gentleness and reverence. (I Pet. 3:15)
Discipleship. Lord, help __________ to make disciples who also can teach others so that Your kingdom will expand. (II Tim. 2:2)
Protection. Lord, I praise You that You do not slumber as You watch over ___________. Grant them good health, and protect them from physical danger. Shield them with Your armor so that they can stand firm against evil. Remind them that You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (Ps. 121; Eph. 6:13; II Tim. 1:7)
Support. Father, supply __________’s financial needs fully. Lead others to contribute even before they are asked. Stir up individuals and congregations to be zealous for ___________’s well-being, to rejoice and mourn with them, to encourage them while they are in the field, and to refresh them when they are on home leave. (Phi. 4:19; II Cor. 7:6-7)
Peace. God of all peace, remind ___________ not to worry but to commit all their concerns to You. Comfort them when they are homesick. Help them to rejoice in You whatever their circumstances. (Phi. 4:4-7, 11)
Marriage. Cause ___________ to honor their marriage and remain faithful to each other in every way. Help them to love one another as You love them so that their relationship will point others to You. (Heb. 13:4; Jn. 13:34-35)
Singleness. Enable ___________ to enjoy undistracted devotion to You. Provide ___________ with godly companionship that will give encouragement, support, and a sense of belonging. (I Cor. 7:35; Ps. 68:6)
Children. Heavenly Father, draw ___________’s children into relationship with You. Enable them to adopt to the culture and deal well with the extra attention they may attract. Grant them good friends, and provide the education they need to fulfill the purposes You have for them. Give ____________ wisdom to discern each child’s unique needs. Help the children to understand that they, too, are witnesses of You. (Mt. 19:14; Pr. 1:5, 22:6; I Tim. 4:12)
Friends. Surround ____________ with wise, faithful, and caring friends. May their friends encourage, strengthen, and comfort them with Your truth and bring joy to their lives. (Pr. 17:17, 27:6,9; Acts 27:3; Ecc. 4:9-12)
Holiness. Holy One, protect ___________ from every kind of impurity. Teach them to fear You rather than man. Enable them to resist the compromises that may be present in the sourrounding culture so that they can shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the Word of Life. (Eph. 5:3; Gal. 1:10; Phi. 2:15-16)
Unity. God, the evil one wants to destroy the unity of the believers where ___________ serve(s). Help ___________, their fellow missionaries, and the local believers daily to exercise hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love for one another. (Col. 3:12-15)
Local peace. King of kings, grant ___________ favor with the officials and those in authority where they serve so that they may lead tranquil lives of godliness and holiness. (I Tim. 2:2)
More workers. Lord of the harvest, please send out more workers to help ____________ serve in the place to which You have called them. (Mt. 9:38)
Fruitfulness. Mighty God, cause ___________ not to lose heart in doing good. As they seek the growth of Your kingdom, let them see the fruits of their labors. (Gal. 6:9; Col. 1:10)