I created to list to help fellow missionaries find the verses related to missions. It took me a while to make this list, so I hope it is helpful!
The following missionary scriptures are listed under relevant topics. I also included the shortened versions below. The shortened versions might fit better on your missionary prayer card. Use these verses to pray for missionaries.
If you have any Bible verse suggestions, go ahead and send them to us.
Commission and Calling Verses for Missionaries
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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 have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2. Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV): “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.'”
3. Acts 1:8 (NKJV): “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
4. Luke 14:23 (NKJV): “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'”
5. Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV): “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'”
6. 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV): “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
7. Mark 16:15 (NKJV): “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'”
8. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV): “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Spreading the Gospel Verses for Missions
1. Psalm 96:3 (NKJV): “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”
2. Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV): “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”
3. Romans 1:16 (NKJV): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
4. Romans 15:20 (NKJV): “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.”
5. Acts 20:24 (NKJV): “But none of these things move me; nor do I count 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 testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
6. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV): “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
7. Colossians 4:3 (NKJV): “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”
8. Romans 10:17 (NKJV): “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Empowerment and Strength Verses for Missionaries
1. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
3. Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV): “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
4. Psalm 18:32 (NKJV): “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.”
5. Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV): “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”
6. Psalm 28:7 (NKJV): “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”
7. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV): “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
8. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV): “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God’s Guidance and Presence Verses for Missions
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
2. Joshua 1:9 (NKJV): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
3. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
4. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV): “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
5. Psalm 48:14 (NKJV): “For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.”
6. Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV): “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
7. Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV): “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters
Shorter Versions of the Missionary Bible Verses
Below are condensed versions of the aforementioned Bible verses. I tried to make sure they retained the main essence of the full Bible verse. They may be more suitable for inclusion on your missionary prayer card.
Shortened Commission and Calling
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV): “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all I commanded; I am with you always.”
2. Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV): “‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.'”
3. Acts 1:8 (NKJV): “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes. You will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
4. Luke 14:23 (NKJV): “Go out, compel them to come in, so my house may be filled.”
5. Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV): “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
6. 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV): “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
7. Mark 16:15 (NKJV): “Go, preach the gospel to every creature.”
8. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV): “This gospel will be preached in all the world.”
Shortened Spreading the Gospel
1. Psalm 96:3 (NKJV): “Declare His glory among the nations.”
2. Isaiah 52:7 (NKJV): “Proclaim peace, salvation, ‘Your God reigns!'”
3. Romans 1:16 (NKJV): “I am not ashamed of the gospel.”
4. Romans 15:20 (NKJV): “Preach where Christ was not known.”
5. Acts 20:24 (NKJV): “Testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
6. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV): “Preach the word in and out of season.”
7. Colossians 4:3 (NKJV): “Pray for a door for the word.”
8. Romans 10:17 (NKJV): “Faith comes by hearing the word of God.”
Shortened Empowerment and Strength
1. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all through Christ who strengthens me.”
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV): “‘My grace is sufficient for you.'”
3. Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV): “Be strong in the Lord.”
4. Psalm 18:32 (NKJV): “God arms me with strength.”
5. Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV): “He gives power to the weak.”
6. Psalm 28:7 (NKJV): “The Lord is my strength and shield.”
7. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV): “Watch, stand fast in the faith.”
8. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV): “In everything, let your requests be made known to God.”
Shortened God’s Guidance and Presence
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord; He will direct your paths.”
2. Joshua 1:9 (NKJV): “Be strong and of good courage.”
3. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): “Fear not, for I am with you.”
4. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV): “I will guide you.”
5. Psalm 48:14 (NKJV): “He will be our guide.”
6. Psalm 73:23-24 (NKJV): “You guide me with Your counsel.”
7. Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV): “The Lord will guide you continually.”
8. Psalm 139:9-10 (NKJV): “Your hand will guide me.”
Why are Bible verses important for missionaries?
Bible verses serve as a source of inspiration, guidance, and encouragement for missionaries. They provide spiritual strength, wisdom, and clarity as they navigate the challenges and joys of their mission work.
How can missionaries apply Bible verses to cross-cultural contexts?
Missionaries can study the cultural context of the communities they serve and seek to communicate the message of the Bible in ways that resonate with the local culture while remaining faithful to its teachings.
Are there Bible verses that address the rewards of missionary work?
While missionary work may come with challenges, verses such as Matthew 25:21 (well done, good and faithful servant) and Revelation 7:9-10 (a great multitude from every nation) remind missionaries of the eternal rewards and impact of their labor.
