Prayer. As a boat needs a sail to move, a car needs gasoline to run, or we need water to survive – Prayer is necessary as World Racers travel and share Christ’s love with others. I have personally witnessed what prayer can do in my life and the lives of my friends, and the importance of the people in my life praying for me as I prepare for this journey is paramount. Below I have listed some specific ways that you can be praying during this season of preparing for The World Race. Would you consider adding these things to you daily conversation with God?
My relationship with Christ and that I would continue to grow in my Faith in this season
- Boldness in sharing my Faith with others and I would be unashamed when sharing what Jesus has done for me.
- Continue to dig deeper in God’s word and anchor myself in Truth. This is a busy time in my life, and it is tempting to let the busyness of my day take over time that I should be spending one-on-one with God.
- That I would hear God’s voice through the “noise” of life and that I would step out faithfully into what he has for me.
Prayer for my family and friends
Parents
- That they would continue being great examples of Christ for my brother and I, our friends, and in their workplace.
- I am leaving in July and my brother leaves in August for college. This will be the first time in 23 years that their house will be empty, so this will definitely be a change for them!
My brother, Matthew
- Matthew graduates high school this year. Senior year is a busy year and graduation will be here before we know it!
- He is still looking at colleges, and prayer that he finds the right fit will be appreciated! I know he will do great and make a difference wherever he goes!
Prayer for Health
- Prayers for my health and wellness as I prepare to launch are appreciated as well. I am doing my best to make sure that I am physically prepared for this experience.
- The world is full of parasites, viruses, and other random illnesses that we are fortunate not to have here in America. For 11 months I will be living among the local people of each place I live. During this time illness may be unavoidable at times, no matter how many precautions I take. I trust that God will protect me.
- With around 80 people traveling with me, odds are there will be illnesses that my squad mates may experience. As you pray for my health, pray that my squad remains healthy so we can spend the most time possible helping and loving others!
Prayer for my Squad
- Nearly everyone on my squad is still in the support raising process, and several of us may be in this season until January. Prayer for trusting in God’s provision would be greatly appreciated!
- I have been fortunate to have supportive family, friends, and church family as I prepare for The World Race. Not everyone on my squad can say the same thing.
- For 11 months, we will be living in community all day – every day. This will be a challenge for all of us at some point. Personalities may clash, we might annoy each other, someone might eat all the food, etc. Ultimately, we will need to learn how to fight for each other and learn how to love each other, even when it is hard.
Prayer for Support Raising
- Prayer that I continue trusting that God will provide. I have seen how he has for others, and I know that he will do the same for me. Sometimes I just need reminded of this!
- I want to be a good steward the money that God blesses me with. Whether it comes through a financial gift to me or a paycheck from work, I want to spend my money in a way that glorifies God.
This last one is important. Over 11 months I will be meeting several people in each country. Most of these people will be facing living conditions that are far from the nice house I am typing this blog in right now. People will have experiences that I will not be able to comprehend.
- We will be living with people that have spent a lifetime in poverty. Pray that we can show them that this Earth is a temporary place and that following Christ is worth more than anything in the world
- We will come face-to-face with people that are some of the 27 million people caught in sex slavery, labor slavery, or other forms of slavery. Pray that as we work to set them free from physical chains, we can show them that Christ frees our hearts.
- We will meet people infected with AIDS. Pray that we can bring a message of hope that says that they are not defined by a disease. Rather, they are defined by who they are in Christ.
- There are a lot of orphans around the world. Children live as orphans because their parents died or couldn’t afford to give them the care they need. We will show these children that someone cares about them, and that they are not forgotten. Pray that they will grow up to know that we are all God’s children, and that God does not forget about his children.
Thank you so much for your prayer support. I will be updating this list from time to time, so be sure to check my blog every so often to see how you can be praying. If you need someone to pray for you, I would be honored to do so. Please feel free to send me a message at [email protected].
