This prayer is for those old hands in a culture. If you’re an old hand, pray this for yourself and others like you. If you’re a newbie, you can pray this for those who have come before you and see a prayer for you here. If you support and love cross-cultural workers, think of someone you can pray it for today. In other words, we all can pray this prayer :). 

God, whether I came here with the plan to stay for years
or one year turned into many,
thank you that I have (or we have) 
built a home and life here.

As I look back and think of my first-year self in this place

            I marvel at all I have learned

            I am humbled by what I arrogantly thought I knew

            I see the kind companions you brought across my path.

Thank you for this place, these people, this rich culture.
Thank you for the ways they have 

            welcomed me in

            fed me

            taught me

            challenged me

            expanded me.

I see you, oh God, in ways I could not have seen you
without my years here.
You have shown me you are too big and glorious to 
be held by any one culture.
And yet you are specific and detailed enough to weave
a glorious tapestry of 

            flavors, sounds, colors, textures, and smells.

Lord, in my comfort here protect me from
thinking I don’t have much to learn. 
Keep me in the posture of a student.

And in those areas of the culture where I encounter

            injustice

            broken systems

            blatant disregard for human dignity,

help me to stay tender towards those I’ve come to serve.
Help me not to harden my heart or shut my hand.

Lord, this place is now a part of me and 
I am grateful it has become

            my teacher

            my friend

            my home.

Thank you for seeing fit to let me
live, learn, and love you here.

Amen

You can download this prayer (and one for those new to a culture) to use on a prayer walk, keep in your Bible, or hang in your home.

Photo by Marie Rouilly on Unsplash