“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, ESV).
- Pray that they would be confident in God’s Word (Acts 13:4-5)
Missionaries are sent not just to learn culture or do humanitarian relief but to confidently proclaim the Word of God.
2. Pray that they would be filled with God’s Spirit (Acts 13:6–9).
3. Pray for their victory in spiritual warfare (Acts 13:10–12).
4. Pray for their success in gospel witness (Acts 13:12). Pray that many would come to know Christ in all walks of life from the faithful witness of our missionaries.
5. Pray for peace with other believers (Acts 13:13).
Satan attacks from all angles, both inside and outside. Pray for peace within families, in marriages, with children, and with companions and ministry partners.
6. Pray for favor with unbelievers (Acts 13:14–15). Nonbelievers are blind to the gospel, and many are violently opposed to its message. Pray that missionaries would find favorable opportunities to share the gospel with them.
7. Pray that the gospel will be clear through them (Acts 13:16–47).
Although cross-cultural communication is difficult, pray that missionaries, by grace, would clearly communicate the character of God, the sinfulness of man, the sufficiency of Christ, the necessity of faith, and the urgency of eternity.
8. Pray that God will open hearts around them (Acts 13:48). God alone draws people to himself. Pray that he will open hearts and minds to believe and be drawn to eternal life with Christ.
9. Pray for their joy in the midst of suffering (Acts 14:1–2). Missionaries often face various forms and levels of suffering in their work. Pray that they would experience the joy of intimacy with Christ in the midst of it.
10. Pray for their kindness in the midst of slander (Acts 14:1–2). Though missionaries face suffering and difficulty, pray that the character of Christ and the power of his Spirit enable them to respond with grace.
Holy Spirit, please fill each missionary with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Stir their hearts to hunger and thirst after You. Father, bless them physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially. Bless their families and homes and bestow upon them traveling mercies. Father, give them favor with all persons they come in contact with and help them to complete every assigned task. Lord, protect them and keep them safe. Fill each of them with joy and pour out Your love upon them.
Forgiving Father, forgive missionaries for all acts of sinfulness, including idolatry, dissension, strife, pride, rebellion, discord, jealousy, injustice, hatred and slander. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed).Holy Spirit, remind missionaries of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names and faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive names of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help missionaries not to yield to temptation but deliver them from the evil one.
Lord, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. You created all things and, by Your will, they exist and were created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Example Prayers to be passed out at class.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 93, Matthew 10:5-42
Prayer One: Heavenly Father, thank You for missionaries. Thank You, God, for guiding their feet into the way of peace. Thank You, Lord, for their commitment and dedication. We thank You for Your countless provisions. Father, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth. You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Lord, You are such a faithful God. You are our rock, our deliverer in whom we trust. You are worthy to be praised.
Prayer 2:
Righteous Father, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven through missionaries. By faith, we declare that they understand the roles they play in bringing Your plans to fruition. They have the mind of Christ and they hold the thoughts and purposes of His heart. We decree that they hold fast to the profession of their faith without wavering for You are faithful in fulfilling Your promises. Lord, we trust in You that their minds are stayed on things that are true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Missionaries will constantly think about the things that are excellent and worthy of praise. They are doers of the Word and not hearers only. We confess that every missionary will work as unto the Lord. Lord, as they do this, their needs are met according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus because of their service to Your Kingdom. Lord, they will serve in humility, harmony and unity with others in the missionary field. They will each serve with a spirit of excellence and a garment of praise.
Prayer 3:
Holy Spirit, please fill each missionary with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Stir their hearts to hunger and thirst after You. Father, bless them physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially. Bless their families and homes and bestow upon them traveling mercies. Father, give them favor with all persons they come in contact with and help them to complete every assigned task. Lord, protect them and keep them safe. Fill each of them with joy and pour out Your love upon them.
Prayer 4:
Forgiving Father, forgive missionaries for all acts of sinfulness, including idolatry, dissension, strife, pride, rebellion, discord, jealousy, injustice, hatred and slander. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed).Holy Spirit, remind missionaries of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names and faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive names of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Prayer 5:
Holy Spirit, help missionaries not to yield to temptation but deliver them from the evil one. Lord, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. You created all things and, by Your will, they exist and were created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
