Dear God,
Thank you for sending your son to die for my sin that I may live eternally with you, I pray I never take this for granted. For an undeserved season of rest that I did not know I needed. For times of closure during the holidays with friends and family. Thank you for the words to communicate “see you later” and “I love you.” For every single person who has joined my support team in prayer and finances, thank you for leading each of them to be on my team and partner with me on my journey in Central Asia. Thank you for new friendships from other cultures that seem short now but may last a lifetime. For a small circle of deep, loving friendships in your perfect timing, when I needed them most. Thank you for the last 2 years of my life, for radically changing my heart to know and love you. Thank you for your word and that it does not return void.
“so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it”
Isaiah 55:11
Thank you for the gospel, I pray more are sent so that all hear it. For family, even when we do not love the ones we are given well, help me see them as a gift and a reminder of the kingdom. Thank you for a community of like-minded believers who live to serve missionally where they are placed now and globally if in your will. I pray they will not lose sight of our purpose as the local church. Thank you for my season of singleness, for the freedom and assurance that going right now is what you have for me, I pray I will always trust your plan over my desires. Thank you for shelter and freedom. Thank you for the 14% I have left in fundraising, I know that you are not surprised by this number and that you are sovereign over the end of this race. For the opportunity and privilege I have to attend training to learn about cross-cultural ministry, to break down biases, and to help me continue to grow in my knowledge of what it will look like to move overseas for the leverage of the gospel. Thank you for being sure of your promises. For the people in my life who work in full-time ministry, I hope they know how much I look up to their leadership! Thank you for this season of slowness to help me learn more about myself and you. For celebrations, help me to always be proud of the accomplishments of those around me. Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of support in the difficult moments of the last few months. For your provision over my life and always providing abundantly what I need and not what I want. Thank you for the story of what you have done in my life, I pray to always try and give glory back to you, though I know I will fall short. Thank you that your power is made perfect in my weakness, Lord I am weak without you. Thank you for my health. For choosing to use my life even though you do not need me, and that I cannot do any of this life without you.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
In Christ,
Ruth :')