Your prayer card is one of the first things supporters see when they consider your ministry. It’s not just a piece of paper. It’s a reminder that sits on their fridge, tucked in their Bible, or pinned to their office wall. When they see your face, they remember to pray.
But here’s the thing: creating a good prayer card can feel overwhelming. Should you hire someone or make it yourself? What information do you actually need? How much should you spend?
This guide walks through everything you need to know about missionary prayer cards, from what to include to where to get them printed.
What Makes a Good Prayer Card
Before you start designing, you need to know what actually belongs on a prayer card.
Front Side Must-Haves
Your front side should be simple and focused. Here’s what needs to be there:
A quality photo – This is the most important part. People remember faces, not text. Use a professional photo if you can, but a good candid shot works too. Make sure your face is clearly visible. Avoid photos where you’re too far away or the lighting is bad.
Your name and ministry focus – Keep this short. “The Johnson Family – Serving in Peru” works better than a long explanation.
A tagline or mission statement – One sentence that captures what you do. Think “Planting churches in rural communities” or “Medical care for the unreached.”
Clean design – Don’t clutter the front with too much text. Let your photo do the talking.
Back Side Essentials
This is where you can add more details, but still keep it brief.
Ministry description – Two or three sentences max. People won’t read a full paragraph. Focus on what you do and why it matters.
A Bible verse – Choose something that captures your calling. Keep it under 20 words if possible. Long verses are hard to read on a small card.
Contact information – Email, phone number, and website. Make it easy for people to reach you.
QR code – Link this to your donation page or website. More people use QR codes now than they did a few years ago, so this is worth including.
Ministry location with a map – Optional, but helpful. A small map helps supporters visualize where you serve.
Social media handles – Only if you actually use them for ministry updates. Don’t add Instagram if you only post twice a year.
Done For You vs DIY Prayer Cards
You have two main options: pay someone to design and print your cards, or do it yourself. Both have their place.
Professional Services (Done For You)
Professional prayer card services give you a polished result without the hassle. Here’s what you get:
Expert design work – These companies have designers who know what works. They understand layout, color choices, and how to make your card stand out. The designs look professional and consistent with other ministry materials.
Time savings – You provide your photo and information, and they handle everything else. Design, printing, sometimes even addressing and mailing. This frees you up to focus on actually raising support.
Consistency with your brand – If you’re also creating newsletters, banners, or other materials, professional services can make sure everything matches. This builds recognition with your supporters.
The downside? Cost. Professional services are more expensive than DIY options. And you have less control over every tiny detail.
DIY Approach
The DIY route gives you full creative control and can save money if you have the time and skills.
Complete customization – You decide every element. Colors, fonts, layout, everything. Want to try something unusual? Go for it.
Lower cost – If you’re comfortable with design software and have access to affordable printing, DIY can be much cheaper.
But DIY takes time. You need basic design skills. And if you make mistakes, reprinting costs money. Sometimes the savings aren’t worth the stress.
Prayer Card Design Tips That Actually Matter
Here are some practical tips that will make your card better:
Choose the Right Bible Verse
Don’t just pick your favorite verse. Pick one that’s short enough to read on a card and actually relates to your ministry. If you serve refugees, a verse about welcoming strangers makes sense. If you’re translating Scripture, choose something about God’s Word.
A verse like John 3:16 is great, but it’s also long. Sometimes a shorter verse like “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) works better on a small card.
Get a Good Photo
This is worth investing in. A professional photographer can cost $100-300, but you’ll use these photos on your website, social media, and other fundraising materials too.
What makes a good photo?
- Everyone’s face is clearly visible
- Good lighting (natural light works great)
- Background shows something about your ministry or location
- You look approachable, not too formal or stiff
- High enough resolution to print clearly
Link to Your Website
Make it easy for people to give online. Put your website prominently on the card. If you don’t have a website yet, consider getting one. Many supporters prefer to give online rather than writing checks.
Include a QR Code
You can make a free QR code that links to your website or donation page. Search “QR code generator” and you’ll find several free options. This makes it super easy for someone to go from holding your card to making a donation.
Show Your Location
A small map helps people pray more specifically. Instead of just “serving in Southeast Asia,” they can see exactly where you are. This doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple outline map with a pin works fine.
Free Prayer Card Templates
If you want to design your own card, Canva offers free templates you can customize. Search for “postcard 4×6” and you’ll find plenty of options. The standard prayer card size is 4 inches by 6 inches, which is the same as a postcard.
Once you finish your design, export it as a PDF. Then you can print it at VistaPrint or GotPrint. These printing services are affordable and the quality is good.
Just remember: designing takes time. If you’re not comfortable with design software, it might be worth paying someone else to do it.
Top Professional Prayer Card Services
Here are the main companies that specialize in missionary prayer cards. All of them offer custom design, printing, and delivery.
Commission Creative
Commission Creative follows a simple three-step process. You place an order and choose your options. They design a custom concept for you to review. Then they print and deliver within six to eight business days.
Design quality: Their designers create custom, professional designs that look polished. No generic templates.
Pricing: 2,500 cards (4″x6″) designed and printed on both sides costs $309.
Revisions: Three rounds of revisions included in the price.
Their pricing sits in the middle range. Not the cheapest, but the quality and service are solid.
Print 4 Missions
Print 4 Missions focuses on keeping costs reasonable for missionary budgets. You spend about 10 minutes describing your mission, choosing a style, and uploading photos. They send you a custom design within two days.
Design quality: Good, effective designs that communicate well.
Pricing: 2,500 cards (4″x6″) designed and printed on both sides costs $382.99.
Revisions: Changes can be made to your design.
They’re a bit more expensive but offer a lot of product variety beyond just prayer cards.
Missions Designs
Missions Designs offers the best pricing on this list while still providing custom design work. The cards focus on showcasing your ministry clearly and simply.
Design quality: Simple, clean designs that work well.
Pricing: 2,500 cards (4″x6″) designed and printed on both sides costs $279. This is the lowest price among the professional services listed here.
Revisions: Three rounds of revisions included.
If budget is your main concern, Missions Designs gives you professional quality at the best price.
MissionaryCards.com
MissionaryCards.com emphasizes that they don’t use templates. Everything is custom designed by professional graphic designers. All design work is included in the card cost with no hidden fees.
Design quality: Custom, colorful designs tailored to your ministry.
Pricing: 1,000 cards (4″x6″) designed and printed on both sides costs $250.
Revisions: Changes can be made as needed.
They’re more expensive per card than other options, but some missionaries prefer their design style.
MissionaryPrayerCards.com
Innovative Graphics runs this service and has been helping missionaries since 2000. They offer prayer card design, printing, and web design services.
Design quality: Beautiful, professional designs with a polished look.
Pricing: 2,500 cards (4″x6″) printed on both sides costs $325. However, the initial design costs an additional $115, bringing the total to $440.
Revisions: Not clearly stated on their website.
The pricing is higher than other services, but their design quality is consistently good.
Finding Designers on Etsy
Another option is hiring a designer on Etsy to create your prayer card design. Search “missionary prayer cards” on Etsy and you’ll find several designers.
How this works: You buy their design service (usually $50-100). Send them your photo and information. They create the design and send you the files. Then you print the cards yourself through a service like GotPrint.
This middle-ground approach costs less than full-service companies but still gives you professional design help.
Printing Your Own DIY Cards
If you design your own card, you need somewhere to print it. Here are two good options:
VistaPrint – Well-known printing service with decent quality. Their prices are reasonable and they often run promotions. Turnaround time is usually 7-10 business days.
GotPrint – Usually cheaper than VistaPrint with similar quality. They specialize in postcard printing, which is exactly what you need for prayer cards. Many missionaries use them because the prices are lower.
Both services let you upload your PDF file and choose your card stock, quantity, and coating (glossy or matte). Matte coating is usually better for prayer cards because it’s easier to write on if someone wants to add notes.
Common Prayer Card Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some mistakes missionaries make with their prayer cards:
Too much text – Nobody reads a wall of text on a prayer card. Keep your ministry description to 2-3 sentences. If you need to share more, direct people to your website.
Poor photo quality – Blurry or dark photos make your card look unprofessional. If your photo doesn’t look good, wait and get a better one. This is worth the investment.
Outdated information – Make sure your email, phone number, and website are current. Check everything twice before printing. Nothing’s more frustrating than printing 2,000 cards with the wrong email address.
Forgetting about white space – Don’t cram every inch of the card with information. White space makes your design easier to read and look better overall.
Using a verse that’s too long – A 30-word Bible verse is hard to read on a small card. Choose something shorter or use just part of a longer verse.
No call to action – Tell people how to connect with you. “Visit our website” or “Scan to give” makes it clear what you want them to do.
What Size Should Your Prayer Card Be?
The standard size is 4 inches by 6 inches. This is the same as a regular postcard, which means:
- It fits in a standard envelope
- It’s small enough for a fridge magnet
- Printing costs are reasonable
- People can easily carry it in a Bible or planner
Some missionaries use other sizes like 3.5″ x 8.5″ (a third of a standard sheet), but 4×6 is the most common and practical choice.
How to Actually Use Your Prayer Cards
Once you have your cards printed, here’s how to use them effectively:
Support raising appointments – Give one to everyone you meet with. Even if they don’t commit to support right away, they have your information.
Church presentations – Hand them out after you speak at a church. People forget names and faces, but a card helps them remember.
Include with thank you notes – When you write thank you notes to supporters, include an updated prayer card.
Leave them at church missions displays – Many churches have a missions bulletin board. Ask if you can leave some cards there.
Mail to your prayer letter list – Even if someone already has your card, an updated one reminds them you’re still out there.
Give to family and friends – They can pass them along to others who might be interested in supporting you.
Our Recommendations
After looking at all the options, here’s what makes sense for different situations:
Best overall service: Commission Creative offers solid design quality, reasonable pricing, and a smooth process from start to finish.
Best value: Missions Designs gives you professional quality at the lowest price. If you’re on a tight budget but want custom design work, they’re your best bet.
Cheapest option: Design your own card using a Canva template and print at GotPrint. This takes more time but saves the most money.
Best for complete beginners: Commission Creative or Missions Designs will walk you through the whole process and make it easy.
The right choice depends on your budget, timeline, and design skills. If you’re comfortable with design software and have time, DIY saves money. If you’d rather focus on actually raising support, paying for professional design is worth it.
FAQ
Can I customize the design completely?
Yes, most professional prayer card companies let you request specific colors, fonts, and layouts. They’ll work with you through multiple revisions until you’re happy with the result. Just remember that more revisions take more time.
How long does it take to get prayer cards made?
The timeline usually breaks down like this: Design work takes 2-4 days, revisions take another few days depending on how many rounds you need, and printing plus shipping takes 1-2 weeks. Plan for about 3-4 weeks total from ordering to receiving your cards.
Do I get a discount for ordering more cards?
Yes, most companies offer better per-card pricing when you order larger quantities. The jump from 1,000 to 2,500 cards usually only adds $50-100 to your total cost, making it a better value. Check each company’s pricing page for their specific bulk discounts.
Should I include my phone number and social media?
Include your phone number and email for sure. For social media, only add it if you actually post regular ministry updates. If your Instagram is mostly personal photos or you rarely update it, leave it off. A QR code linking to your website or donation page is usually more useful than social media handles.
What if I need to update my information later?
Plan to reprint your cards every 1-2 years anyway as your ministry evolves. If your contact information changes before then, you can order a small batch of updated cards just for new contacts. Most missionaries keep their old cards for existing supporters and only give new cards to new people they meet.
Can I print cards at home?
You can, but it’s not usually worth it unless you have a high-quality printer and will only need 50-100 cards. Card stock that looks and feels professional is hard to find at regular stores. The per-card cost of printing at home is often higher than using a printing service when you factor in ink, paper, and your time.
What finish should I choose?
Most prayer cards use either glossy or matte finish. Glossy makes photos look vibrant and colors pop, but it shows fingerprints and can be hard to write on. Matte has a softer look, doesn’t show fingerprints, and supporters can write notes on it if needed. For prayer cards, matte is usually the better choice.