Good Monday morning, my friends.
In one of my messages last week I asked you to pray with me for the teens and youth in the Church. It was one of those days where I sat down with no idea what I would write about, and just went looking for a prayer. Little did I know what God had in store.
In the few days since then we have prayed with, and for, at least four families whose teens are struggling with everything from bad decision making to walking away from the Lord. It has been difficult, but uplifting as we lift our voices together. Our youth are enduring an onslaught of attacks from the enemy like nothing I have seen before. Yes, we had our share temptations when we were younger (and if you were like me, you made the most of them) but what is happening today does not compare. This enemy, Satan, wants to steal them from the Kingdom and he has an incredible arsenal to use against them: friends with few or no boundaries, incredibly inappropriate movies, ultra violent video games, a plethora of pornography on the internet, "sexting" (sexual texting), easy access to alcohol and drugs, and the list goes on and on. And perhaps the worst part is that the majority of society accepts these activities as normal and acceptable.
How do we, as parents AND as the Church protect our young people? Our first weapon MUST be prayer – jointly and severally. Prayer is a way to engage with God in this (or any) fight. In prayer we are given comfort and assurance that He is already at work, and He will remind us that He uses all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God hears the prayers of the righteous and they are powerful (James 5:16). We are all righteous, not because of our behaviour, because we have been cleansed by the Blood of Christ.
So I ask you, no, I beg you, to pray today – and everyday – that God will protect these vulnerable children. Pray that the parents would be given wisdom, strength, courage and guidance. Pray that God would lift the veil, remove the blinders, of those who have chosen to engage in unhealthy activities and that they would see the desolation and emptiness that are the results of those decisions.
Please, pray with me today and God will hear that prayer and His hand will be moved to action.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce
Loving God,
You are the giver of all we possess,
the source of all our blessings.
We thank and praise you.
Thank you for the gift of our children.
Help us to set boundaries for them,
and yet encourage them to explore.
Give us the strength and courage to treat
each day as a fresh start.
May our children come to know you, the one true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
May your Holy Spirit help them to grow
in faith, hope, and love,
so they may know peace, truth, and goodness.
May their ears hear your voice.
May their eyes see your presence in all things.
May their lips proclaim your word.
May their hearts be your dwelling place.
May their hands do works of charity.
May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ,
Your Son and our Lord.
Amen
(http://www.rc.net/arlington/stann/Teen%20and%20Parent%20Prayer%20Booklet.pdf)
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