Praying for our youngest generation
In light of recent news...
This is a heavy one to write considering my background in youth ministry and being a father…
…to keep things simple, there was a shooting at a mall here in Columbus, OH recently.
And someone died. That someone was a “juvenile” (which, as far as I know, means they were a teenager.
And they were shot and killed by a 13-year old.
While stuff like this doesn’t happen all the time, it happens incredibly far too often.
Boys and girls shouldn’t be carrying around firearms and they shouldn’t have to know what it means to shoot and kill someone.
So when we pray “But rescue us from evil,” we are reminded that God calls us to be the rescue for others.
This is a moment, in the area where I live, that is further solidifying the call to action to pray more directly and more fervently for our youngest generation.
They are growing up without parents because those parents are working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
They are growing up without guidance from adults because those adults are proving to be untrustworthy, taking advantage of them at every turn.
They are growing up in a world that encourages them to grow up even faster when their bodies and minds aren’t able to keep pace.
Pray for our teenagers, our elementary schoolers, our toddlers and infants.
And then…start praying for how you can influence the lives of those who so desperately want and need the attention and guidance of those who have gone before them.
My prayer for today
Our Father, show us where we can help and guide and be there for those who are younger than us. Jesus, raise up parents to be there for their children and adults who can prove they can be trusted by these kids. Spirit, grant us the wisdom to move forward and make the best decisions we can for the generations coming after us. Amen.
Remember
Prayer without action means nothing. Talking about how you wish things would be better but not trying to do something means nothing. Asking God to do something when you are right there praying for God to do something is like asking someone to hand you the remote when it is literally sitting in your lap.
Praying for rescue from evil also means being the rescue for others.
Pray, of course. But find a way to be in the life of someone who is younger than you and could use some guidance.