Mission Trip Preparation

Father God, You called me — and I said yes. Now the journey begins. Before I get on a plane, before I learn a new language, before I step into a culture that is not my own — prepare my heart first. Do the work in me that needs to be done before I try to do work for You.

Provide for every practical need. For the finances that seem impossible — You own the cattle on a thousand hills, and You can move the hearts of those You want to give. For the logistics and details — give wisdom to the planners and peace to the travelers.

Prepare the hearts of the people I will meet. Go before me — You're already there, already moving, already drawing people to Yourself. Let me not arrive with a savior complex, but as a servant and a learner. Let me listen more than I speak. Let me build relationships, not just projects.

Calm the anxieties — the fear of the unknown, the worry about safety, the nervousness about being so far from home. Replace my fear with faith. Give my family peace while I'm away.

Teach me flexibility. Things won't go according to plan — and that's okay, because Your plan is better than mine. Let me hold my agenda loosely and Your Spirit tightly.

And when I return — don't let me leave what I learned behind. Let this trip change me permanently. Let it shape how I love, how I give, how I pray, how I see the world. Let this not be a one-time experience but a lifelong commissioning.

Here I am, Lord. Send me. Amen.