We recently had our Spring 24/2 prayer event and several Urban Saints Groups participated in Our Big Journey. It is so powerful to see that God is not limited in the way humans are! We were able to be in different spaces physically, but it was clear that the Holy Spirit was working in the same way. It is amazing to see how as different people prayed for young people connected to Urban Saints and the ones we are working to connect with, the message was clear and remarkably similar. The prayer focus was very much that young people would know that they were:
Not alone and therefore they would not be afraid.
So, what does that look like, and how do we continue to pray for young people? Well, we also asked people the question ‘what one thing would you pray for young people?’
Three responses to this question, among others, were acceptance, freedom, and self-confidence. These themes encompass much of what was prayed over 24/2 and can lead us in our continued prayer for young people. We have used some of the responses that were shared with us through the 24/2 to explore these ideas.
Acceptance
"We pray for young people to know their true identity in You, to know that they are made in Your image and no other. Break through the lies that are so prevalent in our day." - Prayer wall response
This prayer, on one of our virtual prayer room walls, is at the heart of our prayers for young people. That they would know who you have created them to be and then they would be able to accept themselves and accept they are fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. Knowing and accepting who God has made you to be at a young age is such a benefit as you navigate the teenage years and seek to bring God’s Kingdom in every way.
In a recent meeting of our Regional Prayer Co-ordinators this verse was shared from Daniel 11:32:
“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.”
Isn’t this the outcome we want for each young person? That they would know God, and be able to resist the flattery that takes them away from accepting their true self? It's one of the reasons why we are helping youth groups to explore their identity in Christ over on our Energize resource platform. As we seek to pray with and for young people, in this new season, let’s remember that knowing who they are in God is key to knowing Him as Father, and the adventure that awaits them.
Freedom
“As I’ve walked and prayed, I’ve been reminded that Jesus brings light into this world - that enables us to live an abundant life with God as our Father. It’s a life that costs everything but gives everything. I’m praying many Young People come to know that truth as they explore faith with Urban Saints.”
Team Member
Abundant life is a life of freedom, and it only comes when we bring hidden things into the light of Christ. One of our team sensed a call to pray for young people to know that truth deeply. At Urban Saints we provide opportunities, through our weekly Groups and annual Camps programme, for young people to explore the truth of abundant life with adults who love them and provide a safe space for them. We believe these relationships are key for young people. We continue to pray that through our ministry others would know the joy of that freedom, adventure, and safety.
"In relation to identity - I sensed a lot of confusion and insecurity amongst young people, and fear of ridicule. "Unsure to the core" of who and how to be, to gain acceptance, including self-acceptance, to be liked and feel of worth. Jesus welcomes all and gives the freedom to be and loves diversity."
Prayer Supporter
‘Unsure to the core’ is the opposite of freedom! We continue to pray that young people would know who they are at the core, that they would know the freedom that comes when the core of their life is rooted in the love of Christ. There is a growing sense across our movement that freedom for young people lies in experiencing how intimately they are known by God and how radically he loves them. As we go on this journey with young people, please continue to pray the phrase ‘sure to the core’ of all that God has created them to be and do in Him.
Self-Confidence
"I asked God to reassure young people that whatever each day and night might bring for them, that His love for them is sure and eternal, and that He is with them and will help guide them, even through the testing times." - Prayer wall response
One of the people who prayed for us sensed this need for reassurance that God is sure and eternal was key for our young people She used this verse from Psalms as a centering verse for her prayers.
"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2
We know that self confidence ultimately comes from an awareness that God is with us. That He is the stability of our times, as we continue, I was encouraged by this prayer that one of the people who prayed, shared on our wall.
"Jesus may every person who joins this journey be aware of you journeying with them. Be in each conversation, speak encouragement and strength, direction and hope for the journeys to follow." - Prayer wall contribution
I don’t know about you but the knowledge that Jesus is walking with me is the best boost to my self-confidence. Can we continue to pray that together Britain’s young people would know that Jesus is journeying with them?
As you can see from the responses shared above the journey continues as we pray and work with young people week in and week out. To finish, meditate on this Bible verse, which is taken from The Message, which one person felt to pray for young people. It sums up the life that we want for Britain’s young people. A life that comes from knowing they are not alone, even when they think they are, which leads them to the conclusion that they should never be afraid.
“So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”
Romans 12:1-2
Serena McCarthy - Engagement Lead
Could you commit to pray regularly for young people?
Next month, we are joining with Youth For Christ, 24-7 Prayer, Evangelical Alliance, Hope Together and Pais for Pray Through May - focusing prayers for young people in this nation for the whole month of May.
Find out more about Pray Through May
There are loads of different ways to pray with Urban Saints for children and young people - whether praying one thing or something different every month or every day. We'd love you to join us in whatever way works for you.
Discover more ways to pray regularly