Prayer for mission travel and service away from home
Written by Vivian Bricker
Bible reading:
“I will be with you and watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have completed what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
Listen or read below:
Missionary work has been a passion of mine since my second year of college. Participating in missionary work means studying different people groups, their cultures, and beliefs. Too many people believe that missionary work is simply traveling somewhere, preaching the gospel, and then returning home. But there is much more involved in evangelism.
True missionary work occurs when the Lord goes abroad where He is not widely known or believed in, the gospel is shared through everyday life, and local believers are equipped to continue to minister to the church and lead others. Missionaries travel to unreached destinations to truly engage with local people and connect with individuals on a deep level. Following Paul’s ministry outline is a great teaching to follow as he lived among people and helped them understand Jesus in their own unique ways (Acts 17:23, 1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
Perhaps you are working toward becoming a missionary, or perhaps you know someone who will soon be leaving for the mission field. The good news is that you or your loved one are not without guidance. The Lord will come before you and your loved ones, and you can cover each other in prayer.
Praying before a missionary leaves for the field is very helpful and allows the missionary to withstand any spiritual attack. Unfortunately, before you set out on your missionary journey, you will face much spiritual opposition from Satan and his demons. Praying for missionaries as they prepare for their mission trips and continuing to pray for them while they are in the mission field will help them resist the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).
As you pray for future mission trips, please also pray for missionaries to shine Christ in their lives and truly love those they encounter as God directs them to do. Individuals should be passionate about and respect the culture of their people. Pray that missionaries will humble themselves and that God will exalt them in due time (James 4:10).
The Bible says, “I will be with you and watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have completed what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15). These words help us know that no matter where we are, God is watching over us and is with us.
Therefore, when our loved ones go on a mission, we need to remember that God is with them. God will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). There is no reason to be afraid or worried about what is about to happen. All we have to do is focus on covering the prayers of the missionaries.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, my loved ones will soon be leaving on a mission trip to serve You overseas. Because they are so far from home, they will not be familiar with the people and culture there. Help them learn about the culture and take the necessary steps in advance so that they can show respect and love to the people when they arrive. Help them shine your light on a lost world.
We also ask that you protect them from the attacks of the devil and evil spirits. I praise You that You are with them wherever they go and that You watch over me. This gives me courage and courage to face the future. Thank you for everything.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
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Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. For more of her content, visit Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/.
Related resource: How to choose your word of the year in 2026
This month on our podcast How to Study the Bible, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026. It is intended as a gentle but intentional way to reflect on, respond to, and reconnect with God at the beginning of the year. In this episode, I explain why I like to stop and listen throughout January instead of rushing to come up with a solution or putting pressure on myself to “get it all together” by January 1st. Start with Philippians 1:3-11. So Paul reminds us that we can have true confidence because God is still working in us and He is not finished yet.
Next, I will share six words that I have been praying for our community. I believe these six spiritual intentions reflect the type of growth God is calling us to this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you certainly don’t have to force it. But I hope one of these words resonates with you and provides a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of the How to Study the Bible podcast. This show brings Bible reading to life and helps you understand even the most difficult parts of the Bible. If this episode helped you know and love God more, subscribe to the How to Study the Bible podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
