How can you best be prepared for the 11-month pilgrimage ahead of you? More mission trips between now and then? Getting all your paperwork completed early? Making sure your passport is ready to go? These are all great things that we highly recommend… However the best preparation is simply to become a person of prayer. To do this, we have put together a Prayer Schedule. This is not homework or something we will check up on, but it is simply a way to learn the discipline of prayer. You can use this as the Lord leads. Maybe you fast and pray for that week’s topic every day at lunch. Maybe you simply put it on a sticky note on your desk and whisper a prayer every time you see it. Maybe you focus once a week on praying for these things. Maybe you chunk this aside. Do as the Lord leads… but here are our suggestions:
The week of September 23: Unity among teammates. One heart, one mind, one spirit in all things.
The week of September 30: Endurance. 1 Cor 9:24. Pray for a finishing heart, willing to withstand trials. Pray that you would learn to be a person who finishes strong even now.
The week of October 7: Culture Shock. To quickly adjust to new situations. To soak up cultural characteristics like a sponge.
The week of October 14: Discernment. The spiritual eyes to see which choices are good and which are God.
The week of October 21: Family. Thank God for divinely placing you. Pray for those whose families are not supportive.
The week of October 28: Friends. Deeper friendships that cross distances. That God would grow them at home like He will grow you overseas.
The week of November 4: Visas and Borders. For ease, speed, and correctness. Pray for favor with customs and border patrol. Pray that travel will go easily.
The week of November 11: Health. All current issues resolved and protection over bodies during the Race.
The week of November 18: Bonding. That your team would quickly become family.
The week of November 25: A servant heart. A desire to serve your team and serve the nations. Pray against any hint of pride or arrogance (the way most other nations view Westerners).
The week of December 2: Flexibility. The ability to easily flow when plans change. Surrender all expectations to God.
The week of December 9: Supporters. Thank god for those you have. Pray for the right amount for all teammates.
The week of December 16: Safety. Political and social issues in the countries on your route to be resolved. Pray specifically against crimes against your team such as theft or injury.
The week of December 23: Closure. That all loose ends will be resolved well. The heart to finish strong at home.
