Prayer for the next generation to be amazed by God
Megan Evans
Bible Reading:
“…After them another generation rose up and did not know the Lord or work he did for Israel.” – Jury 2:10b (CSB)
Listen or read:
It reminds me of a child named Tilly. This sweet girl was 11 years old and had never been in a church before and had never opened the Bible. While this broke my heart, what tormented me most was that she had never even heard of Adam and Eve. This fundamental component of faith and a fundamental understanding of creation was completely lacking in her life. A neighbor invited her VB that week to bring, and I remember her hunger for the Word of God. Not only did she learn about the Bible that week, she also asked Jesus to be her Savior. How many people are growing, like Tilly, without knowing the Creator and Savior? The thoughts scare me, and perhaps so too.
That week I learned about the vulnerabilities of each generation and why sharing God’s Word and conveying His wonders is essential. Up until that point, I had never met a child who was so foreign to Christianity. Growing up in a church, I took basic Bible fundamentals for granted. This encounter not only opened my eyes, but my heart too.
Joshua 24:31 states, “Israel worshiped the Lord during Joshua’s life and the life of the elders who lived longer than Joshua, and experienced all the works the Lord had done for Israel.” However, Judges 2:8-10 states, “Joshua, the son of Nun, the Lord’s servant, died at the age of 110. They buried him in the territory of his inheritance.
How was it possible for the generation of Israel to grow up without acknowledging the powerful things that have done for God and Israel? Their ancestors were freed from slavery, and led the Red Sea by Moses, and Joshua led his relatives across the Jordan River to the promised land! Perhaps extraordinary things have become normal. Have they stopped communicating these accounts to each other, or most importantly, their children?
Does this make you sad just as much as I do? As I look around the world today, more and more children, teens, and young adults are ecstatic about humanity. But is this surprising when adults are doing the exact same thing? If the next generation wants to be amazed by God, it starts with you and me. Knowing God through His Word, learning His great love and amazing works, cultivates everyday trust that naturally spills into our attitudes, words and actions. Furthermore, we can primarily ask to show intentional ministry and pupilization opportunities in the world around us.
Seeing the world pushes God away can sometimes feel frustrated and overwhelming, but we are not helpless. Although the individual influences can feel very small, we need to remember to serve the mighty God. Jesus loves the lost person, and we should too. He still works in the world today, and invites all his followers to participate. He has grown his kingdom and the best hasn’t come yet!
Instead of being contented by the overpowering headlines that declare the moral decline of the world, declare God’s goodness. Poem sal 78, for example, speaks of the beautiful things God has done in our lives and throughout humanity, and reminds us to teach the next generation the Word of God. The Psalmist begs us to not be afraid, to praise God and to share what we have learned from the past. why? “…So I know future generations – not yet born” (verse 6). I’m encouraged. So let’s share with the next generation that God loves them, teaches the Bible, and speaks about the differences that come with following Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Father of God, fall on us, stirring up the hearts of this new generation, and accept your son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. Mix my heart and open my eyes, having lost people in my daily walks of life. How can you become your disciple and disciple maker? I would like to share my relationship with Jesus with others, including young people. I confess I need your strength. Give me boldness and clarity when talking about your love and powerful work in my daily conversations. You asked me to photograph your gospel message across the globe (Matthew 28:19), and the children and adults of my community need disciples. I think you believe in me that you put me exactly where you want to use me today and equip me with the unique personality, talent and abilities you can use to reach the next generation. Show me the opportunity to deliberately teach your love, actions and commands.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Radu Florin
Megan Evans is a military wife and mother of three wonderful children. She and her family live in central Tennessee. As an author and blogger with a disciple’s heart, Megan writes, speaks, and teaches women about enjoying God on busy days. Check out her book Permitsion To Walk: A 40 Days of Relaxing Peace and learn the daily pace of life that Jesus taught us as we navigate this distraction and fast-paced world every day. You can connect to Megan at www.unhurrymyheart.com.
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
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