“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Today’s Thought
The excitement of beginning something new is often the easiest part.
The first day of a mission trip is filled with anticipation. The first worship service at camp is full of energy. New surroundings, new opportunities, and the expectation of what God might do create an excitement that’s hard to describe.
But ministry isn’t only about starting well.
It’s about remaining faithful.
Our teams will likely settle into the rhythm of ministry. The newness will wear off. They will experience long days, changing schedules, unexpected challenges, and emotional highs and lows.
This is where endurance matters.
Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that the Christian life is not a sprint. It is a marathon.
Paul often compared following Christ to running a race—not because the Christian life is about speed, but because it requires perseverance.
There are moments when serving God feels effortless. There are also moments when serving God feels exhausting. The disciples experienced both. After returning from ministry, Jesus saw that they were physically and emotionally drained. Instead of immediately sending them back to work, He lovingly said,
“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
What a comforting reminder. Jesus understands the weariness that can come from serving others. He knows what it feels like to pour yourself out. He understands tired feet, long days, interrupted plans, and emotional burdens. Our Savior never asks us to serve in our own strength. He invites us to depend upon His.
That’s why Isaiah wrote,
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
Notice where renewed strength comes from. Not from better planning. Not from more sleep alone. Not from stronger determination. True spiritual strength comes from spending time with the Lord. That’s why one of Satan’s greatest strategies is not always to stop ministry. Sometimes he simply tries to make us so busy doing God’s work that we neglect spending time with God Himself. A missions team can become so focused on the schedule that they forget to worship. A camp leader can become so busy helping students that they neglect their own walk with Christ. A church member can become so occupied serving others that personal prayer slowly disappears. Ministry without intimacy eventually leads to exhaustion. But ministry flowing from intimacy with Christ produces lasting joy.
Jesus illustrated this beautifully in John 15.
He didn’t say, “Work harder.”
He said, “Abide in me.”
Branches don’t strain to produce fruit. They remain connected to the vine. The life flows from the vine into the branch. That’s our prayer today. Not merely that our teams would have enough energy to finish the week. But that they would remain deeply connected to Christ every step of the journey. Pray that every morning begins with God’s Word. Pray that every decision is guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray that moments of discouragement become opportunities to experience God’s grace. Pray that laughter strengthens friendships. Pray that worship refreshes weary hearts. Pray that every act of service flows from a love for Jesus rather than a desire to simply complete a task. And perhaps today’s prayer is one many of us need personally.
Some reading this may be tired. Not physically. Spiritually. You’ve been carrying burdens. Serving faithfully. Helping others. Yet your own soul feels weary.
Hear the invitation of Christ today:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Our God does not merely assign work.
He provides strength. He does not simply send His people. He walks beside them. He does not ask us to finish the race alone. He faithfully carries us every step of the way. As Friends Baptist Church prays today, let’s ask God to renew every member of both teams. May their joy remain strong. May their love for Christ grow deeper. May they finish with the same passion they had when they began. Because faithful endurance is one of the greatest testimonies the world will ever see.
Pray for Our Costa Rica Team
Today, ask God to…
- Renew the physical strength of every team member each day.
- Protect them from discouragement and fatigue.
- Give them joyful hearts as they serve.
- Help them remain faithful even when ministry becomes difficult.
- Keep their personal time with the Lord a priority.
- Give leaders wisdom as they care for the emotional and spiritual needs of the team.
- Encourage them through answered prayer and visible reminders of God’s faithfulness.
- Help them serve from love rather than obligation.
Pray for Our Camp Team
Pray that God would…
- Give students energy and attentiveness throughout the week.
- Renew camp counselors and leaders who are constantly pouring into others.
- Help students remain engaged with every message from God’s Word.
- Guard against homesickness, discouragement, or distraction.
- Give leaders wisdom to recognize students who need extra encouragement.
- Build lasting joy throughout the week.
- Keep every student’s heart soft and responsive to the Holy Spirit.
- Help everyone finish camp spiritually stronger than when they arrived.
Today’s Challenge
Take ten uninterrupted minutes today to simply be with God.
Before asking Him for anything, thank Him.
Read today’s Scripture slowly.
Sit quietly.
Listen.
Allow God to renew your own heart before you continue praying for others.
Then send a message to someone serving in ministry—whether they’re on one of these teams or serving here at Friends Baptist—and remind them that you’re praying for their strength today.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our strength when we are weak.
Today we pray for our Costa Rica Missions Team and our students and leaders at camp. Renew them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When they grow tired, remind them that Your strength never fails.
When challenges arise, help them trust Your wisdom.
When they become discouraged, lift their eyes to see what You are accomplishing.
Protect them from simply going through the motions. Help them remain connected to You each day through prayer, Your Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Strengthen every leader who is carrying responsibilities that others may never see. Encourage every volunteer whose quiet acts of service are making an eternal difference.
Lord, we also pray for ourselves.
Renew our love for You.
Restore our joy in serving.
Help us never become so busy doing ministry that we neglect spending time with the One who called us into ministry.
Teach us to abide in Christ daily, trusting that everything of eternal value flows from our relationship with Him.
May our teams return home not only tired from serving, but refreshed because they have walked closely with You.
We ask these things in the powerful name of Jesus.
Amen.
Reflect & Respond
What has been draining your spiritual strength recently?
Ask God to show you one practical way to spend more intentional time with Him this week so that your service flows from a heart that is being continually renewed.
Family Discussion
Ask together:
“Why do you think Jesus often took time away to pray, even though He was always busy helping people?”
Talk about how spending time with God gives us the strength to love and serve others well.
Then pray that God would renew the strength of every missionary, student, leader, and volunteer serving this week.
Children’s Prayer Prompt
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for helping us when we get tired. Please give the people in Costa Rica and at camp lots of strength to serve You with happy hearts. Help them remember to pray, read their Bible, and trust You every day. Thank You for always being with them.
Amen.
Memory Verse
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Tomorrow’s Focus
Day 9: Bring Us Home
“God’s work doesn’t end when the trip is over. Tomorrow we’ll pray for safe travels home when their work is done, grateful hearts, and lives that return different than when they left—ready to share what God has done and continue His mission right here at home.”