Sharing from Our Own Lives
The Young Life Global Day of Prayer resources are intentionally designed to soak ourselves in God’s loving presence before we pour ourselves out in love through intercessory prayer. We love because he first loved us. (John 4:19)
We hope you had some time today to sit with Jesus in silence and solitude and open yourself up more deeply to his love. We hope the solitude guide helped you access his tender affection for you. We hope you enter into this time of intercession ready to pray out of the overflow of his love welling up within you.
As we gather in teams to pray, let’s begin by sharing with one another something of our experience of our Father’s love.
- When and how were you first awakened to his love for you?
- When and how were you most recently reminded of his deep love?
Read Ephesians 3:14-21 as a means of giving thanks for God’s love and as preparation for this time of intercession: He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
interceding for Adolescents
As we turn our attention to interceding on behalf of adolescents, let’s begin with clear focus.
Young people live in a difficult and dangerous world today. The reality of what they face can overwhelm us and cause us to become discouraged. So let’s practice glancing at the difficulties and the danger and gazing at the Father’s face. His eyes are filled with compassion; his countenance reflects his all-consuming love. Let’s pray for adolescents everywhere as the Father holds them in his capable hands with wisdom, tenderness, and care
Pray as you are led for the young people in your neighborhood, community, country, and the world.
A Closing Prayer for Adolescents
Becky Lai, WyldLife leader in San Francisco, recently wrote some prayers for moms as their children return to school. Let’s borrow from one of Becky’s prayers (adapted for this purpose) to close our time of praying for kids. If you are able, lay your hands on a list of kids’ names or on a school yearbook or a map. Pray together:
LORD, have mercy on our teenagers.
The world is fighting for their attention; may their gaze be ever fixed on you. Let them hear your voice above the noise and chaos and follow you. May they know the truth of the gospel and invite it to take root in their souls.
Each day as they step closer to adulthood, protect them from the fear of the unknown. Reveal to them how they are beautifully and uniquely made in your image.
Fill their dreams of the future with excitement and potential. Free them from the burden of comparison. Remind them, as you whisper it to us, that their worth is not rooted in accomplishment.
Surround them with a rich community of adults who love them. Help them cultivate knowledge into wisdom, and wisdom into discernment. Thank you for allowing us to be a witness to their journey.
LORD, have mercy on our teenagers.
Amen.
A Closing Benediction
Invite one in the group to read Colossians 3:12-17 as a closing benediction and a blessing on this gathering, on the greater mission, and on behalf of adolescents of all kinds in every corner of the world.
Thank you for interceding for adolescents and for the greater mission of Young Life.