Introduction
Whether you are heading overseas for years or joining a short mission trip next month, the Bible has words for the road ahead. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are grouped into five themes: the call and the sending, sharing the Good News, courage for the road ahead, God's provision and faithfulness, and perseverance in hard seasons. Use them to pray for a missionary you know, to write a commissioning card, or to prepare your own heart before you go. Read one a day and let it travel with you.
The Call and the Sending
1. Isaiah 6:8
"I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!”"
Isaiah heard the Lord ask, whom shall I send, and answered, here I am. Send me! The call to mission begins with a heart that says yes. Whether your yes leads to a far country or a nearby neighborhood, pray this verse and let God decide how he will use you. Read all of Isaiah 6.
2. Matthew 28:19-20
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen."
Jesus gives the Great Commission: go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching, and he promises to be with you always. The command and the promise come together. You are not sent alone, and you are not sent without his presence. Carry that promise through every border. Read all of Matthew 28.
3. Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”"
Jesus promises power when the Holy Spirit comes, and sends his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Mission starts where you are and reaches outward. Pray for the Spirit's power, because the work is bigger than any person's strength, training or personality. Read all of Acts 1.
4. John 20:21
"Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”"
As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends his followers. Our mission is a continuation of his. He came to serve, to love and to bring peace, and so do those he sends. When you doubt yourself, remember that the One who sends you is the One who first went. Read all of John 20.
5. Acts 13:2-3
"As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
The church in Antioch worshiped and fasted, and the Spirit said to set apart Barnabas and Saul. Then they prayed and sent them away. Missions is a church affair. If you are going, thank those who pray and give. If you are staying, remember that your prayers help send others. Read all of Acts 13.
Sharing the Good News
6. Romans 10:14-15
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”"
How will people call on him if they have not heard, and how will they hear without a preacher, and how will anyone preach unless sent? This chain of questions shows why missions matters. Every link counts: those who go, those who send and those who listen. Be a link. Read all of Romans 10.
7. Psalm 96:3
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples."
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. The goal of missions is not statistics but the glory of God across the earth. Keep this larger vision in front of you when daily tasks feel small. You are joining a worship that spans every culture. Read all of Psalm 96.
8. 2 Corinthians 5:20
"We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
We are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating through us. An ambassador speaks for another with respect and clarity. As you meet people in a new culture, listen first, love them, and speak the message of reconciliation with gentleness and truth. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
9. Luke 10:2
"Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest."
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers. Prayer is the first mission act. If you are not going, pray this verse for missionaries and ask God to raise up more workers, perhaps including you. Read all of Luke 10.
Courage for the Road Ahead
10. Joshua 1:9
"Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”"
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Wherever you go. That includes airports, villages, unfamiliar languages and uncertain days. Courage is not the absence of fear but the choice to trust that he is beside you. Read all of Joshua 1.
11. Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”"
The Lord himself goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. When fears about distance, danger or loneliness rise, hold this promise. Missionaries often feel far from home, but never far from God. He is the One who walks every step of the road with you. Read all of Deuteronomy 31.
12. Isaiah 41:10
"Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, help you and uphold you. Notice the verbs: strengthen, help, uphold. God is not only near, he is active. Ask him to do all three in the places you will go. Read all of Isaiah 41.
13. Hebrews 13:5-6
"Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.” So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”"
Be content with what you have, for God has said he will never leave you nor forsake you, so we can say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear. Contentment frees missionaries from comparison and anxiety. The Lord who helped you at home will help you wherever you serve. Read all of Hebrews 13.
God's Provision and Faithfulness
14. Philippians 4:19
"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Many missionaries rely on the generosity of others and on God's faithful provision. Pray this verse over your needs, practical and personal, and thank those whose giving makes the work possible. Read all of Philippians 4.
15. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
"He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it."
He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. If God has called you, he will carry through. The call does not rest on your skill, but on his character. When you feel under-qualified, rest in the faithfulness of the One who called you. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
16. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. This is also a promise for the people you serve. God is working in them, in the church you help plant and in you. You are not responsible for everything, only for faithful obedience. Read all of Philippians 1.
Perseverance in Hard Seasons
17. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;"
Paul describes missionary life honestly: pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not despairing; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed. Hard seasons come. This verse tells you what to expect and what to trust: God does not let you be broken beyond his care. Read all of 2 Corinthians 4.
18. 2 Corinthians 12:9
"He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me."
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Mission fields are full of limits: language, culture, health, money. In each, Christ says his grace is enough. Do not hide your weakness. It is where his power can be seen most clearly. Read all of 2 Corinthians 12.
19. Psalm 126:5-6
"Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves."
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. Missionary work often involves sowing without seeing a harvest for years. This verse is for the days when the seed seems buried. Keep sowing, keep praying, and trust that God will bring the harvest in his time. Read all of Psalm 126.
20. Acts 20:24
"But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God."
Paul says he counts his life of no value if he can finish his race with joy and complete the ministry to testify to the Good News of God's grace. Mission is a race, not a sprint. Pray for endurance, and keep your eyes on the finish line and the One who calls. Read all of Acts 20.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse for a missionary leaving for the field?
Joshua 1:9 is a popular choice because it promises that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Matthew 28:19-20 and Isaiah 41:10 also work well in a commissioning card or prayer.
What does the Bible say about going on a mission trip?
Jesus commands his followers to go and make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, and Acts 1:8 promises the Holy Spirit's power for the task. Romans 10:14-15 explains why people need to be sent. Short trips and long calls both share in this mission.
How can I support a missionary with Scripture?
Send a verse that fits their season: Philippians 4:19 for provision, 2 Corinthians 12:9 for weakness, or Psalm 126:5-6 for discouragement. A short message with a verse and a promise of prayer can mean a great deal on the field.