We’ll focus on a topic very close to my heart: Missouri. As you may know, Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, and it’s a place that has been facing some significant challenges in recent years. Whether it’s issues related to healthcare, education, or the economy, Missouri is a state that needs prayer.
In this post, we’ll examine why it’s so important to pray for Missouri and how we can pray for the state’s leaders and citizens. We’ll explore some of the key issues facing Missouri today and consider how prayer can help to bring about positive change. So whether you’re a Missouri native or someone who cares about the well-being of communities across the United States, I hope you’ll join me in praying for this great state.
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
Quick Brief
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Population: According to Britannica.com, Missouri’s estimated population was 6,154,913 as of 2020 and 6,177,957 as of 2022 [1]. National Geographic Kids also reported that Missouri’s population was 6,093,000 as of July 2016 [2].
The United States Census Bureau reported that as of 2019, Missouri’s population was 6,137,428 people [4]. Meanwhile, Meric.mo.gov projected Missouri’s population to approach 6.8 million people by 2030, representing a 21% increase in the state’s population from 2000 [5].
GDP: According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Missouri was estimated to be $295.73 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars in 2021, a 4.6% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Meanwhile, Statista reported that Missouri’s real GDP in 2021 amounted to approximately $295.69 billion U.S. dollars [3].
FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) listed Missouri’s Gross Domestic Product: All Industry Total as $358,572 million in 2021, while DeptofNumbers.com reported Missouri’s GDP to be $359,952,000,000 in 2021, representing 1.57% of the US GDP [4][5].
US News ranked Missouri No. 28 overall among US states based on 71 metrics across eight categories, with a GDP of $328 billion in 2021 [6].
Leadership
Mike Parson is the current governor of Missouri. He has been serving as the governor of Missouri since 2018, succeeding former Governor Eric Greitens. Before his governorship, Parson served as Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 2017 to 2018. He is a former law enforcement officer, having worked as a Sheriff in Polk County, and also served in the US Army. [1]
Lyda Krewson has been serving as the mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, since April 2017 [6]. Before that, she represented the 28th ward in St. Louis as an alderwoman [6][8].
Josh Hawley is one of Missouri’s two United States senators. He was elected to the Senate in 2018 and assumed office in January 2019. Before serving in the Senate, Hawley was the Attorney General of Missouri from 2017 to 2019. Senator Hawley is a Republican known for his conservative stance on various issues, including immigration, abortion, and gun control. He has also vocalized his commitment to religious liberty [1].
Roy Blunt is the senior senator from Missouri, serving since 2011. Before his time in the Senate, Senator Blunt served as the Secretary of State of Missouri from 1985 to 1993 [1] and as a representative in the House of Representatives from 1997 to 2011 [6].
Economy
Missouri is known for its strong agricultural sector, with soybeans, corn, turkeys, hogs, and cattle being top agricultural products. The state has nearly 10,000 farms, covering 66% of its total land area, and just under 90% of those farms are family-owned. Agriculture and forestry account for over 1 in 10 jobs in the state. Missouri is also a hub for transportation and logistics, with major companies like FedEx and UPS having a presence in the state.
Missouri is home to a strong agricultural industry, which includes crops such as soybeans, corn, and livestock, supporting over 450,000 jobs and contributing over $93 billion to the state’s economy [2][7]. While no sources were found specifically stating that agricultural workers are common in Missouri, it can be inferred that this industry has significant employment opportunities. The state’s unemployment rate was 3.6% as of December 2021 [3]. As for logistics managers, a logistics coordinator is one of thirteen logistics jobs identified by Indeed, with a national average salary of $35,284 per year. Registered nurses were not found to be specifically common in Missouri, but may be employed in the state’s healthcare sector.
Healthcare
Guttmacher Institute reported that in 2010, publicly funded family planning services helped women in Missouri avoid unintended pregnancies and saved taxpayers $13.6 billion, or $7.09 for every $1 spent [3]. Missouri has also been improving its rural healthcare facilities and access to healthcare services [1]. However, BroadbandNow’s annual ranking of internet coverage, speed, and availability places Missouri at 41st among all states, which may impact the state’s telemedicine and digital healthcare services [5].
Peace/Safety
Missouri has a lower crime rate than the national average, but there are still challenges with violent crime in some cities [6][9]. Additionally, Missouri has a rich history of notable people, including writers such as T.S. Eliot, Mark Twain and Robert Heinlein, and notable figures such as Calamity Jane, Jesse James, Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry, and Harry S. Truman [3][5]. Missouri is the 24th state in the USA, with a population of approximately 6.1 million people as of 2019 [2][4]. Missouri was named after a group of indigenous people who lived in the area before European settlement, and the river that runs through it was named after the native community [1]. Finally, Missouri is known for its outdoor attractions, state and national parks, and museums, with Branson being a centre of country music [8].
Biggest challenges
Missouri faces several significant challenges, including poverty, limited access to quality healthcare in rural areas, and high crime rates in some cities [3] [6]. In 2020, Missouri’s poverty rate was 9.8%, with some rural counties experiencing higher rates [3]. Additionally, Missouri ranks 40th in the nation in terms of access to healthcare, with many rural areas experiencing a shortage of healthcare providers and facilities [3]. Finally, while Missouri’s overall crime rate is lower than the national average, the state faces violent crime challenges in some of its cities [6].
Prayer Points for Missouri
Psalm 20:4
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.
- Heavenly Father, we lift up the leaders of Missouri to you, asking that you give them wisdom and guidance as they make decisions that affect the state and its people. (Proverbs 21:1)
- Lord, we ask for your protection over the people of Missouri, especially those affected by crime. May they find peace and safety in you. (Psalm 91:1-2)
- We pray for improved access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas where it may be limited. Lord, we ask that you provide the resources and means to improve healthcare facilities and infrastructure in Missouri. (Isaiah 58:6-8)
- God, we ask that you bless the state’s economy and provide opportunities for its residents to prosper. May Missouri be a place where people can thrive and provide for their families. (Deuteronomy 28:12)
- We pray for unity and reconciliation among the people of Missouri. Lord, help us to see each other as your children and to work towards peace and understanding. (Ephesians 4:3)
- Holy Spirit, we ask for a revival in the church in Missouri. May it be a light in the community, spreading hope and love to those in need. (Acts 2:38-39)
- Lord, we pray for the education system in Missouri, that students may receive a quality education and have the resources they need to succeed. (Proverbs 1:7)
- We lift up families in Missouri to you, Lord. May they be strengthened and supported, and may homes be places of love and peace. (Psalm 127:3-5)
- God, we pray for those struggling with addiction in Missouri. May they find hope and healing in you, and may the state provide resources and support for their recovery. (Isaiah 41:10)
- We pray for racial reconciliation and healing in Missouri. May we seek justice and love mercy, and may we work towards unity and understanding. (Micah 6:8)
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