Praying Over When it's Time to Leave
We’ve come a long way together this year, friend. You’ve prayed with me through much of the life of a cross-cultural worker. As we move into the last quarter of the year, let me ask something of you – stick with me! We’re moving into some of the most important and potentially tender parts of a worker’s career.
I’m asking you to pray today into the often-awkward space that is discerning whether to leave the field.
**Before that, though, an aside: pray for those workers who don’t get that luxury, who have departure suddenly shoved upon them. These are the workers who are denied visas on reentry, who have a loved one stateside that immediately needs them, who suffer some form of traumatic event on the field that forces them out. Every departure that happens in that way is especially, uniquely brutal, and we’ll pray more about that next month. For now, hold them before the Father and ask for the peace of the Christ.**
The feeling that it might be time to go is not entirely unfamiliar to most workers; they’ve experienced it before. Years earlier, they were discerning what those thoughts and leadings in their heart were saying about a move cross-culturally in the first place. Now, they feel those same thoughts - sometimes fluttering on the edge of their hearts and sometimes careening around in their mind like trapped birds - in reverse. They know there are still things to do where they are, but they wonder if their part in them is finished.
Please pray with me for workers considering departure that:
They would seek and receive Wisdom from God;
They would be able to communicate openly with a few trusted people (whether local believers, teammates, or friends stateside – preferably some of each!);
They would be free from guilt or shame at the thought of leaving or staying;
They would be able to see the ways in which their presence matters (in both places!);
They would remain courageous in their listening and obedience to the Father.
Thank you, friend, for praying with me for these workers today.
Peace.
Andy
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