A Prayer for Missionaries on Foreign Fields
Father, the fields are white unto harvest and You have mercifully appointed laborers. I thank You for granting them strength—for judging them faithful workmen and appointing them to Your service (1 Timothy 1:12). Prepare therefore, I pray, the place of their service; cause the Word of the Lord to speed ahead and be honored (1 Thessalonians 3:1). Bless every diligent effort of these workmen (2 Timothy 2:15), casting vanity and unproductive toil far from them (Isaiah 49:4). May the hand of the Lord be mighty with them, causing many to believe and turn to the Lord (Acts 11:21).
Father, make this team mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24), that from the wellspring of the Word they might be equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). Let utterance be given to them in the opening of their mouths, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel. Grant them grace to speak as they ought to speak (Ephesians 6:19-20)—with purity in doctrine, dignified, and with speech which is beyond reproach (Titus 2:7-8). May the whole of their message be Christ Jesus as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Grant them favor with all people (Acts 2:47), especially them who are of the household of faith. Accompany Your servants with unmistakable traces of glory so that the mark of their entire ministry might be Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Father, You know their frames and You remember they are dust. ” (Psalm 103:14). I ask You to grant power to the faint, and to those who lack in might—increase of strength. Though others fall round about them—faint, weary, and exhausted—quicken the souls of Your servants to wait for You; for the renewal of strength. Yes Father, then they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:29–31)! I ask that the arms of their hands might be made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (Genesis 49:24); and let them be full of power – with the Spirit of the Lord of hosts (Micah 3:8).
Do battle on their behalf Lord! Strengthen Your servants to stand strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. I pray they would diligently apply the whole armor of God, that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10–13).
Make them good examples to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). May the message HOLY TO THE LORD be the seal of their presence (Exodus 28:36).
Encourage them, Father, in their work, renewing them day by day, as they look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal ” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
Oh Lord, I pray that they might be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. But You are faithful Father! Establish them and guard them against the evil one! Should fear assail, grant them grace to direct their hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:1–5). Help them Lord, that they might not be anxious about anything, but confront every concern with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7). Supply their every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen (Philippians 4:19–20).
Finally, Father I ask that the record of this trip might be written upon each heart, to be known and read by all. And may the account of every life You touch resound to praise—a magnificent proclamation of the excellencies of the King (2 Pe 2:9); annals written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:1–3). To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever (1 Timothy 1:17)!
Amen.