Going on a mission trip is an incredible way to spread God’s love and serve others. However, mission work can also be challenging both spiritually and physically. That’s why it’s so important to cover your mission trip in prayer. Prayer helps prepare your heart, unites your team, and invites God to work mightily through your group.
In this article, we will explore 5 powerful prayers you can pray for your upcoming mission trip. Praying these prayers will help strengthen and equip you for the important Kingdom work ahead.
What Exactly is a Mission Trip?
Before diving into specific mission trip prayers, let’s clarify what a mission trip actually is.
A mission trip is a journey to spread the gospel of Christ and serve others for an extended period of time. Mission trips usually range from one week to two years. Trip participants often help with:
- Evangelism
- Community development
- Construction, education, medical aid
- Discipleship
- Cultural exchanges
Mission trips can take place internationally or right in your own hometown. Wherever you go, the objective remains the same – to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving people in practical ways.
Why Pray for Your Mission Trip?
You may be wondering, “Why do I need to pray for my mission trip?” Here are 3 big reasons:
- Prayer prepares your team’s hearts. Praying together knits your team members’ hearts together. It also roots out wrong motivations and replaces them with godly ones.
- Prayer invites God’s power and protection. Ephesians 6 reminds us our battle ultimately isn’t physical but spiritual. We need God’s supernatural power, guidance and shielding.
- Prayer changes lives. Both your life and the lives of those you’ll be serving. Prayer is the conduit God uses to work miracles in people’s hearts.
Simply put, prayer is the cornerstone of missions work. Now let’s explore 5 specific powerful prayers for your upcoming trip.
5 Impactful Prayers for Your Mission Trip
1. Pray for Team Unity
The first prayer for your mission trip is about your team. Every member comes from different backgrounds, churches and spiritual maturity levels.
Pray your team would work together in unity and look past differences for the sake of the Gospel. Ask God to give each member humility, patience and encouragement to offer others.
Bible verses you can claim in this prayer include Psalm 133:1, Philippians 2:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 1:10.
2. Pray for Spiritual Protection
Next, pray for spiritual protection and discernment for your team. Remind God that we battle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Ask Him to shield your team from the Enemy’s divisive schemes.
Also pray your team would stay alert and self-controlled. Ask for wisdom to know God’s will and the discernment to spot deception in your travel location (1 Peter 5:8).
3. Pray for Boldness
One of the most essential prayers for your mission trip is to pray for boldness. Sharing the gospel cross-culturally is intimidating! It’s easy to bite your tongue when you have an open door to talk about Jesus.
Plead for God to embolden your team to open their mouths and proclaim the truth without fear (Ephesians 6:19-20). Pray He opens doors for spiritual conversations and gives you the right words to speak.
4. Pray for the People You’ll Serve
A fourth key prayer is to intercede for the people you’ll be serving before you meet them.
Ask God to soften their hearts and open them to receiving the gospel. Plead for Him to prepare people who will eagerly listen and respond to the message of Christ.
Thank God in advance for the ministry appointments He’s already arranged for your team to have.
5. Pray for Physical Strength
Finally, pray for physical strength, health and safety. Mission trips require a lot of stamina as your team serves long days in possibly hot, unfamiliar conditions.
Ask God to keep your team members healthy and sustained with His supernatural energy. Claim scriptures like Isaiah 40:29, Exodus 15:2 and Psalm 28:7.
Start Praying Today!
Don’t wait until you arrive at your ministry site to start praying! Begin covering your mission trip in prayer at least three months ahead of time. Mark your calendar weekly to pray over your team, travel logistics and the hearts of those who will hear the gospel.
As you intercede faithfully, you’ll witness how prayer utterly transforms your trip. It will unite your team, open miracle doors and draw people to salvation in Christ. Just as Jesus promises in John 15:16 – prayer results in lasting fruit!
What other ideas do you have for powerful mission trip prayers? Share in the comments below!