Ultimately it is not about achievement or performance. It is about these workers staying close to God and sitting in His presence. It is about a growing communion with God where He leads them step-by-step into His purposes. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5 NIV

PRAY they won’t get lost in achievement or performance but rather lost in His presence. May they be reminded that “Apart from [God they] can do nothing.” That “unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers build in vain.” Or like 1 Corinthians says it, that you can do all all kinds of great things and still lose your soul, if not done with the true love of God.

[We need to pray that] Holy Spirit will give us a deep inner strength as we seek Him. After all, everything we do and think comes from what’s inside us. It’s extremely wise to ask God to strengthen us on the inside, so that we can know Him more and stand strong against every kind of attack. - Caitlyn

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

PRAY  this devotional prayer to strengthen the inner being: FELLOWSHIP with Holy Spirit

There's so much that can go wrong in missions, but the greatest challenge is to keep their minds on things above, both by stay connected to the call from heaven to missions ("the joy set before them") but also to the divine perspective that is needed to stay on track with the way God sees things. Challenges of misunderstandings with the culture, the people, and other overseas workers can really do a number in the mind of the missionary. After all, they are normal people in a more unfamiliar territory.  

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Philippians 4:8 NIV

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God... since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator... Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:1-3,9-10,12-17 NIV

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 NIV

"Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen... Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them... Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior." - 1 Timothy 2:8-10, 14-16 NLT

PRAY for a focus on the things above and on what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

To raise up a movement that impacts the community and beyond in years to come, the type of disciple being raised is a disciple who makes other disciples.  

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 NIV

PRAY for disciple makers to be raised up - ones who follow Christ wholeheartedly and who multiply by raising other disciple makers.

Often what it takes to make Gospel inroads unbelievers is the persistence and perseverance of the believer over many years. Their faithful witness will in time shine the limelight on the worthiness of Jesus.  Another related need, is the leadership of Christ in how to share, minister and disciple the people. God has unique approaches to the people and community there because there are unique needs present. 

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should." - Colossians 4:2-4 NLT

PRAY for a healthy, consistent and continual witness over time that leads to Kingdom impact.

Being away from the support system of family, friends, and the church back home is a loss for them. They will likely not have that kind of support system in the country where they are serving. At times or for a longer duration of time they will feel all alone. They need the comfort of God and to know and sense His presence with them.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39 NIV

PRAY for the Lord’s presence to feel tangible to them and for a new support system to form around them. In the early years this may come from other overseas workers in the area or through long distance support from family and friends through Zoom, phone, text, emails and and letters. In later years, it may start coming from other believers in the area, including the maturing disciples they raised (but outside support from family and friends will continue to be a much needed blessing). 

People may wrongfully imagine that new missionaries are hitting the ground running evangelizing in the new country. Reality check: Actually they will need to learn the language first and so they will enter into serious language studies soon after they get there. They may wisely elect to live with a local host family to increase the exposure to the language and the culture. Besides other challenges this presents, their brains will also gets extra tired from the intensity of having to learn and think in the new language. Even missionaries who have lived a number of years in that country still can feel this brain drain and stress as they progress to try to communicate more advanced thoughts and theological concepts. The challenge continues for years. These things are downright taxing on the brain. 

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" - Isaiah 26:3 NLT

PRAY for their brains for grace to learn the language and for divine rest and recovery, on a daily basis. 

Overseas workers who are doing pioneering work in nations where the Gospel has not made much of any headway have great challenge to make inroads with the Gospel. In such  countries there will be the risk of  persecution, incarceration and death as a punishment for trying to convert a local to Christianity. Pray for divine strategy, divine discernment and divine appointments that are Holy Spirit led. 

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 NLT

PRAY for God to bring Persons of Peace to these workers—these are God-prepared people who will receive the messenger, embrace the Gospel and help spread it to their network of family and friends. 

Just like you and I have daily temptations, struggles and weaknesses we face, they too will have these and likely these will be even more magnified because they are in a foreign land, often without a healthy support system and with new cultural pressures they are working hard to get to know and understand. Add to that spiritual attack from the enemy who does not want to see the work of the Lord advance or gain footing. 

"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” - Matthew 26:41 NLT

PRAY for strength against temptation, a spirit of purity, and divine help in every area of struggle.  Pray for spiritual covering and protection over their minds and hearts and over their bodies.  

One not so uncommon struggle is comparison with other overseas workers. God has called each person to carry out His purposes. But some callings and responsibilities can seem more spiritual and can appear to have greater impact. Comparison can be troubling for an overseas worker.

"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

PRAY they will make peace with their own unique calling and with the level of impact they are having in every season, no matter how tangible or intangible it is, at any time. Pray they will find peace with God, whatever is happening. 

These overseas workers will face great challenges in this new country. By nature of the risky venture they are more likely to experience some very traumatic moments.  Besides this reality, just because they are human beings they will likely be carrying wounds of the past that still affect them to today. 

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18 NIV

PRAY for emotional healing and the healing from trauma.