My Short-Term Missionary Prayers

The following are prayers are a result of our church's recent short-term mission to North Dakota. I wrote them down as the final part of team's daily morning devotions, as a response to corresponding scriptures for each day, and as a response to what I found in my heart as a result of reading and praying to prepare for each day. They are neither profound nor eloquent, but I felt moved to post them, to share them as a benefit to any who might be moved to pray more, as well as encourage all who were a part of the team or supported its purpose.


July 9, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 42:1-3

Holy God, Heavenly Father, You know my struggles and fears, and You know my desires and hopes for this mission. Help me to not be fearful. Rather, increase my faith and trust in You. Over the many twenty years I have known You, and the several years You have led me and this team out here, You have shown, You have proven Yourself worthy of faith and trust. Help me this day, by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, to remember who You are, and who I am in You. Give me the courage to do what is before me - give me the strength in Christ to do all things. All this I pray in Jesus' name - Amen.

July 11, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Heavenly Father, I would focus on You this day, and not my worries, thoughts, or fears. Forgive me, Father, for allowing them to dominate my heart. Instead, I pray, please fill my heart with Your peace, and help me to look to You for my sufficiency and strength. Let me be filled with Your joy and Your love. I do praise You for this day, and I thank You for another day of life. Be my God; help me to be Your son. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

July 12, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 60:1-22

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks for the many people who were used by You to draw me into Your kingdom and grow me in faith. I thank you for Patrick Young, Pete and Dorothy Berner, John Gleichman, Lawn Dixon, Al and Barb Condit, Norm and Melissa Jones, Fr. Dan Sullivan, Jim and Dale Cirillo, and Ben and Amy Sheldon. I also thank You for the students I've been able to be light for... students at Good Sam, children on Standing Rock, students from Ascension, and students from Narberth Presby. I also lift up to You [my kids], and pray that You would help me bear Your light to them. Help me to both receive from and give Your light to my dearest Sarah, and I ask You to bless my family this day, as we are apart from one another. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

July 13, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Heavenly Father, I thank You for another day of life, and thank You for Your patience with me. Today, I know I struggle with a selfish, self-focused spirit - I want a 'break' from what we're here to do - I want a 'day off.' Forgive me for "needing" to be encouraged, for being less than passionate and excited for this day. Yet, I am hopeful for what today can and will be. I know that what You've called me to do is first anchored in who You've called me to be - that You called me to be Your son. Help me to live out of that place of being, out of that knowledge. Help my confidence to be rooted in You, and the transforming power that is at work in me. It is great joy to see our team work so well this year. It is joy to know that we are seeking to be faithful to You. May our desires and effort bring You glory. I praise You and give You thanks - In Jesus' name. Amen.

July 14, 2005

corresponding scripture: Isaiah 66:1-24

Heavenly Father, Gracious God, You have brought me to this day, and I give You thanks for another day of life. Please help me to be a good, godly, and loving team leader. Please help the team to keep its focus and know who it is in You. Lord God, help us to boldly proclaim Your glory among the nations. Contiue to jazz us up with excitement over who You are. I praise You and give You thanks -In Jesus' name. Amen.

July 15, 2005

corresponding scripture: John 1:1-5 and Matthew 16:13-20

Heavenly Father, I thank You for another day of the journey; another day of experiencing and knowing Your faithfulness. As we come toward the end of this mission, help me to refocus with the rest of my journey in mind. Continue to grow me in love, hope, grace, and trust, that I may be more like You. May Your Holy Spirit grow me, and continue to transform me, even this day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

July 16, 2005

corresponding scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Heavenly Father, grant me this day the opportunity to enjoy my time with these students. Help me to find new things to appreciate about them. Help them to know that I love them and like them. May we leave this mission field with our eyes open to the fields before us. Help us to love each other, and be the Church. Grant us an understanding of Your kingdom, that we may be one through Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Last Thoughts About the Mission

This mission to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota does not happen in a vacuum. First, it is predicated on God's call to us to be His people, and to share His message of reconciliation with the world through Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, it is predicated on those afore mentioned relationships, as well as relationships between those of us at Narberth Presbyterian, and the many Christians serving Christ on Standing Rock, not the least of whom are the Revs. John and Sloane Floberg. Third, it is predicated on our relationships with one another, whether they be youth ministers, youth, congregation, supporters. Our relationships are somehow mysteriously connected to God through His Holy Spirit.

I know, this is a mouthful, and I'm very verbose. But all of this is to say that this mission trip isn't about "us" going to "them" with all the solutions to "their" woes. It's about relationships (as spelled out above, and then some) that are rooted in the Triune God's love and grace for us, between us, and from us. I'm excited to have been a part of this mission in some form or fashion for over 14 years. Praise God. I hope these prayers are insightful into how God has worked not only in my own life, but in the life of the 2005 Standing Rock mission team. Thanks be to God!!!