the hours before: prayer requests

its nine thirty on tuesday morning. im flying in a little less than seven hours. i think im finally getting nervous. my heart feels like its full of air, and its trying it best to get all that air out. i guess thats nervous, right?

it still hasnt hit me, the magnitude of this. and im not trying to say that somehow, what im doing is a big deal. its not, in the scope of things. and i firmly believe that each event and period in each persons life is just as important as the next. still ill be gone for a while, and i dont know what ill be doing, so with that in mind, im not nearly as nervous or anxious or excited as i should be. it hasnt hit me yet. but im sure it will.

goodbyes are always weird. and ive had my share of them. this weekend held more hugs and tears than i knew possible. i am grateful for each one- each embrace that will be separated by land and sea, every drop that falls from your eyes. i will miss these people more than i know, with all that i have i will miss them. i want you all to know that i love you.

before i leave i wanted to give some prayer requests. i covet your prayers.

while i am gone, pray for a receptive spirit. a big part of what i am doing is opening myself up by clearing my agenda, in hopes that God will lead me where He wants without myself getting in the way. it is easy to seek the safety of plans and organizations, and if that is where God has me then great, but i dont want to hide there. pray also for Gods guiding hand.

pray also that i would learn to abide is God. amidst the excitement and new experiences, i dont want to loose that connection with God or push Him aside. i want Him to be central, the vine from which i draw my strength. i know that without that connection, nothing i do will accomplish anything eternal.

third, pray for community, both home and abroad. i have come to appreciate and rely on Christian community to live my life. when i leave here, i leave that as well. the situation i am going to is full of new people and new situations, and in order to have that community, i have to start each relationship new. pray for me as i seek out community, and for a while, seek God without it. also pray for the community i am leaving here, that they would seek God with all their hearts, and that they would love each other fearlessly.

i will close it here. i am leaving shortly for the city and the airport. here we go.


all my love
jon