The Youth of Today

Yesterday was May 1st and it was more than just the first day of a new month. In recent years it has become the day we watch on the news all the immigration protests throughout the country. What doesn't make the news, however, was the fact it was the National Day of Prayer.

Every year since 1952 the first Thursday in May has been set aside where we as a nation come together and pray that every person would come to a point of repentance and that we would offer intercessory prayers for those in leadership. It seems crazy that we're only praying for this once a year, but I'm grateful that we have a recognized day every year where the focus leaves us and our woes and it is turned to those that are influencing the culture.

I had the privilege of praying at church last night with a group of prayer warriors. Our topics included praying for the churches in America, our government, our education system, the military, businesses, the youth of today, the media and the family. Each person at our table seemed to be led by the Holy Spriti in such a passionate way about one of the eight topics above.

As a parent, the topics of the media and our youth speak right to my heart. The Lord has given me a new passion for young people. Maybe since I moved out of the category of young into middle-aged (lol) I lost sight of what was behind me. But behind me are the young people that are my children, my nieces and nephews, my co-workers and neighbors. Many of them love Jesus just as much as I do.

I know I need to be praying for our youth a lot more than once a year. As someone prayed at our table, it is often the youth of today that lead the parents to Christ. Kids today only seem to have the reputation as ones that wear baggy clothes, listen to the worst music ever and tatoo everything that has skin. But they do so much more. I know so many examples of parents who want more for theirs kids so they take them to church to learn about Jesus and end up witnessing to Mom and Dad. It wasn't how God intended, but whatever works I'm for it.

My generation has put kids in situations that God never intended. They have seen way too much, seen it way too early and have been told how they're just kids and they will adjust. They are fed lies from so many sides. They get it from the media, from friends, and sadly even from schools as it's all cloaked as truth. What does God think of young people? Does the Bible point to examples of anyone that doesn't have a gray beard? This is the call that the prophet Jeremiah got from God.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child. But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." Jeremiah 1:5-9

God cares about young people. My readers fall into the category of young and those that care for the young. We need to praying for boldness for our youth. That the closet they are coming out of is one that says "I love Jesus and He is the Way, the Truth and The Life. I'm not going to believe the lies of this world, but instead I'm going to take a stand for what is right." Pray that our youth can influence the culture and not the other way around.

And finally pray that if the parents can't or won't do the job for our youth, then God would put mentors in their lives to guide them and partner with them to teach them God's truth. If you feel that you have Godly wisdom to impart on someone, then pass it on. You might not get thanked today, but you'll reap the benefits later.