Pray Without Ceasing

South Africa Team 1824 Blog #4

10-17-2018

“Pray Without Ceasing”

Two more days until blastoff! If I were anymore excited I'd have to be twins. 

To those who would like to pray for us (our prayer warriors), I thought I’d get you started. I’ll be posting prayer requests right along, during our trip, but there are pre-game warmup prayers you could go ahead and start on. Thanks!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Preparation –

Please pray that each member of our team remembers to pack everything he or she might need on this trip, and that nobody leaves for the airport with missing travel documents, earplugs, toilet paper, or any of the many things on our packing list. Pray for freedom from anxiety, and that we each make time to pray and meditate, and to seek God in every aspect of our preparations.

Loved ones –

            Include our loved ones in your prayers too, please. Pray that they not miss us too much (just enough!), and that they too might have freedom from anxiety (How is Mom/Gammy faring with the bugs?).

Our Team –

            Please ask God to give us a wonderful group dynamic; one that’s pleasing to Him. Ask for help for each of us to excel at the specific jobs we’ll be asked to do, and that we remember to give all the glory to God. Ask God to allow us to love each other as Christ has first loved us, even sacrificially if the need arises. Ask Him to truly make us “one in the Spirit, one in the Lord.”

Travel –

Please pray for safety for our team. Safety getting to the various airports we’re leaving from; getting to Dulles Airport separately and as we travel to Johannesburg together. Give all our pilots a good night’s sleep (before the flight, not during). Keep us safe on the ground once we’ve landed, and as we travel each day to the location of that day’s clinic.

Comfort –

            It doesn’t hurt to pray for our comfort on the 17-hour flight to Johannesburg. Help us remember to hydrate, take our meds, walk around every so often. Ask God to give us restful sleep in a strange location (I’ve never been overnight on an airplane and have no idea what to expect).

Customs –

            Ask for blessings going through customs, that all the bags (personal luggage and luggage chock full of eyeglasses) arrive safely and sail through without a hitch. Pray that my bag of medications meets with everyone’s approval.

South African People –

            Pray for those who will be hosting us, and who are preparing our guest-house in Mhluzi. Give prayers of thanks for those who even now are anticipating the arrival, care and feeding of 10 Americans, many of whom have never set foot in South Africa. Please especially pray that the hearts and minds of the people visiting our clinics would be open, and that the power of the Holy Spirit will help us reach others with the Gospel of Jesus.

Housing –

            Please pray that our living quarters are comfortable and sufficient for our needs. Help us adjust in whatever way necessary, and to embrace the efforts made on our behalf. If it’s God’s will, pray for electricity at the times it’s needed, and an internet connection which will allow us to communicate with those of you at home, at least some of the time. And if it’s not too much to ask, pray that there will be coffee.

Sunday Worship –

            One of the things I’m most looking forward to is the worship service we’ll have on Sunday. It will be a celebration of the beginning of the eyeglass mission in South Africa; not just the one we’re conducting, but the ongoing mission starting up while we’re there. Pray for joyful worship!

Most of all, dear prayer warriors, give thanks to God for His work in South Africa!

  

Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

  

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Meier

Missionary (!)