Sent With Purpose: A 14-Day Devotional to Prepare for Short-Term Mission Sample

As you prepare to embark on your mission trip, let the words of James 5:16 (NIV) be a source of reminder of the importance and power of prayer:

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Confess and Pray for Healing

James begins by emphasizing the importance of confessing sins to one another and praying for each other's healing. Let’s start with confession. God can and will work through anyone, but it’s no question that a humble heart is fertile ground for gospel work to be done.

When you think about your work ahead, it may be easier than you think to slip into a posture of pride—thinking about the difference you could make or the skill set you can bring. Confession, though, returns your heart to humility. As you prepare for the journey, confess the times that you’ve worked in confidence of your own strength and power, or the times you’ve forgotten to stop to ask God for His guidance and wisdom.

John 3:30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” Confess that you are not the vital piece to the mission—the Holy Spirit is.

And, inside the context of community, this vulnerability fosters openness, empathy, compassion, and support. You and those around you will feel safer with one another where the environment encourages confession and willingness to ask for fellow believers to intercede for you in prayer.

The Power of Righteous Prayer

Now, let’s talk about praying for each other. Even now, before you meet anyone new with a need for spiritual or physical healing, you can pray for the encounters you will have as you step into the mission field. You will notice areas of your life that need healing, too.

Your mission trip is not just about the physical tasks or humanitarian efforts; it is ultimately about the advancement of God's kingdom. Prayer is the foundation upon which all successful missions are built. It connects you to the heart of God and aligns your mission with His kingdom purposes.

Make prayer a daily practice throughout your mission journey. Seek God's guidance, intercede for the people you meet, and ask for His wisdom and discernment in every situation. As you pray, you invite God to go before you, preparing hearts and making a way for His love to be revealed.

James assures us that the prayers of righteous individuals are powerful and effective. Righteousness here does not mean perfection but rather a heart that seeks to align with God's will and character. When you approach God in prayer with a sincere and obedient heart, your prayers carry weight in the heavenly realms.

On your mission trip, you will face challenges, uncertainties, and moments when human effort alone will not be enough. Turn to prayer, knowing that it is a potent weapon in your spiritual arsenal. Trust that God can move mountains, open doors, and change hearts.

A Prayerful Perspective

As you embark on your mission trip, view prayer as both your lifeline and your source of strength. Embrace a prayerful perspective that allows you to see every person, every challenge, and every opportunity through the lens of God's grace.

In the midst of your work, may James 5:16 remind you that through prayer, you partner with God in His redemptive work, bringing healing, hope, and transformation wherever His hand touches.