When we think about getting ready for mission trips, we often think of physical preparation. That makes sense, because the last thing anyone wants is to forget something important, like a passport. But sometimes that physical preparation keeps us so busy that we forget something that’s even more important: prayer. Prayer should be the most important aspect of preparation for any Christian missionary work. Here are three tips missionaries can use to prayerfully prepare for youth mission trips, family mission trips, or any kind of mission work.

1. Pray for God to Reveal His Will

Sure, this one sounds familiar. But we shouldn’t make the mistake of glossing over it. This one comes first because we should not only seek His will during the trip; we should seek His will during our preparations for the trip. This particular prayer is especially effective for groups, and can help build a sense of unity before youth mission trips or family mission trips.

2. Pray That God Will Allow Us to Grow Through Adversity

No matter the location or length of a mission trip, missionaries will inevitably face adversity. That’s one of the reasons that mission work is such a great opportunity for spiritual growth. The catch is that adversity rarely takes the form we expect, and in the moment, we often fail to recognize those opportunities. That four hour flight delay before the trip even starts? It’s more than just an annoyance – it’s an opportunity to pray for patience.

3. Pray for Sympathy and Understanding

No matter where a trip takes us, the chances are great that we’ll meet people who live much differently than we do. Those differences can often seem illogical, and it can be easy to question them or dismiss them. Pray that God will soften your heart and allow you to see new cultures as He sees them. At the same time, there’s a delicate balance between sympathizing and patronizing, so pray for enlightenment about that, as well.

It’s never too early to start praying about your next missions trip. Whether you choose to do work in the US, or to volunteer abroad, you’ve got plenty of options with Mission Discovery. Please don’t hesitate to visit our website to see the variety of mission trips we have available for all ages, genders, and lengths of time. Now is the time to start planning for a mission trip with Mission Discovery.

-Jason Torrence