When a mission worker asks you to join their prayer team, they’re asking much more than whether you want to receive their monthly newsletter. They’re asking you to contribute to the success of their ministry. And they’re asking you to take part in the eternal impact of the work … from right where you are!

The apostle Paul knew his ministry required the prayers of those back home who sent him. “Pray for us,” he pleaded, requesting prayer for both his ministry and for himself (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

If Paul’s ministry thrived on prayer, you can bet your missionary’s does too. Bring their requests before our powerful God, and watch what He does through you as a team.

Not sure what to pray about? Here are seven specific requests — one for each day of the week. Download the “How to Pray for International Workers” bookmark and keep it with your Bible to pray with intention every day.

1. Sunday: Pray for their relationship with God

“He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Pray for spiritual rest, maturity in faith, and overflow of the Holy Spirit as they abide in Christ.

2. Monday: Pray for their physical well-being

“[Pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:2).

Pray for health, safety, finances, and stamina in stressful conditions.

3. Tuesday: Pray for their emotional well-being

“May the Lord...comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

Pray for peace in being away from family and friends, joy in community, and hope that abounds.

4. Wednesday: Pray for their ministry

“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Pray for courage, obedience to the Spirit, the advancement of the gospel, and perseverance in the work.

5. Thursday: Pray for their team and family

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2).

Pray for mutual encouragement, unity, holistic care, and balance in important relationships.

6. Friday: Pray for the local people

“[Pray] that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3).

Pray for open hearts to hear, and for those who have heard the truth to believe and trust in Jesus.

7. Saturday: Pray for their host country

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you … and pray to the Lord on its behalf” (Jeremiah 29:7).

Pray for God’s blessing on the government and the city where your missionary lives.


Print these prayer requests: “How to Pray for International Workers” bookmark.

Find more ways to pray for missionaries and for the nations in this blog.