Prayer of Thanksgiving

 God of Wonder and Grace,

We thank you for the lives changed by the July Youth Mission Trip from White Memorial in Raleigh to EST.  We thank you for the fervent and faithful work of the staff at EST to prepare for our coming, and the time they spent with us.  We thank you for the 11 youth and 3 adults who witnessed your work in Poland and joined in.  

With gratitude and awe, Amen. 

"That  I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell all of your wondrous works."  Psalm 26:7 

Prayers for the Journey

God of All Places,
Be with the White Memorial Presbyterian Church youth and their adult leaders as they travel to Poland tomorrow for a Mission Trip. Keep our travelers and their families in your safe hands. 


We give thanks for all who have been guided by you, both in the U.S. and in Poland, in planning extraordinary experiences this upcoming week.


"...for he shall give his angels charge over you. To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up..."     Psalm 91:11-12a

Go forth, traveler, in the name which is above every name. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Strengthen the faint hearted. Honor everyone. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And may the blessing of the eternal God,
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
be upon your going out and
your coming in.

For in Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north:
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

       

Almighty God,

We pray for the youth and their leaders from White Memorial Presbyterian Church who have answered your call to travel and to serve you in Poland July 5-13. As our travelers prepare for their journey, we ask you to prepare their hearts to be moved and changed. We know you have awe-filled experiences and relationships in store for them.

We give thanks for those in Wroclaw and in Raleigh who have been, and continue to be, guided by you in planning this Mission Trip.

"Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus."     Phillipians 2: 4-5

Lord, 

So many of your faithful servants have developed a love and care for your ministry in Poland.  Bless those who feel your spirit call them to visit Poland and minister there, and to be changed by those who serve you there.

"The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.

The Lord upholds all who are falling,  and raises up all who are bowed    down...The Lord is near to

 all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." 
Psalm 145:13b-14, 18

Gracious Lord, 

Help us to remember we walk in your presence every day. Open our minds and our hearts as you speak to us and teach us and guide us. Form us until we are more and more like you; for we are yours.

Prayer for New Opportunities

Lord God,

Three board members of EST are traveling to Wroclaw next week to meet with Lutherans to discuss collaborative opportunities. We pray that all involved will be open to your will. Provide each of them with wisdom and creativity as they seek ways to serve you together. We also pray for travel safety for their journey.

"The love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

            Romans 5:5

Prayer for the New Year

God of the New Year and New Beginnings,

     Only you know what this year holds for EST, for your work in Poland, and for each of us. We ask that your will be done, that you will use each of us to be your hands, feet, minds and resources to your world.

     Draw the people you call to visit Poland, to give and to be part of your ministry there.

"Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

            Psalm 143:8b