Still Growing Young

Recently I’ve been feeling like my relationship with God is getting weaker.  I pray that I can really reach out to him and re-strengthen my relationship.  I pray that the people around me help that and I pray that I can help these people grow as well.

Youth groups from five Covenant churches around the Puget Sound gathered for a student-led worship night last Sunday. Young people and youth workers including our own Pastor Tim sang, danced and played modern worship tunes.  Ice breakers, thoughtful pastoral exhortation by Pastor Tim, reflection time and prayer stations rounded out the inspiring evening.

Dear God, please give me the strength to continue, even when it feels like your plan can’t or won’t work out.

During the reflection time, youth wrote down their heart’s desires and placed them in a “prayer boat”.  Interspersed in this piece are some of those.  As I’ve been praying through them, I’m struck by how they resonate in my own soul, ancient though I am in comparison!

I struggle to find worth in myself.  I want to find my value in God and how much He loves me rather than how the world sees me.

Some of these take me back to my own teens.  But even now, with a little word substitution, I share the sentiments. For “college”, substitute “the coming transition”.  For “interviews” and “test”, substitute the “hoops you’re jumping through” right now.

I pray that I will continue to cling onto God during college. 

Lord, help me to do well in my interviews and my test. 

Pastor Tim spoke on servant leadership.  He referenced 1 Timothy 4:12 – don’t let people look down on you because you’re young.  START NOW to be a leader!  In Middle School and High School!  Yes, this summer!  We can each be God’s person before “our hash is settled”.

What’s that look like?  Pastor Tim said:

USE YOUR WORDS (the Holy Spirit and the Bible will help you in important conversations)

USE YOUR ACTIONS (be hospitable)

USE YOUR GENEROSITY (every simple act matters, even giving a cup of cold water)

DON’T DO IT ALONE (Jesus sent his disciples in pairs – Luke 10:1-2 – serving together brings you into new places and experiences)

GIVE IT AWAY (James 1:16-17, God’s good gifts are not just to hold and enjoy for ourselves, but to use to bless others)

The prayer requests resonated with these themes.

“I pray for peace within my family.  For my sibling to find the way and yearn for you, Lord.

I pray that my grandparents will settle into their new house and not feel stressed about what to keep and how to get along.

Help me know how to bring my friend to You and make her feel comfortable with you.

Help me with patience and understanding for others, especially with my family.

Give me wisdom to navigate complicated friendships.

Long ago, Pastor Tim introduced the idea of Growing Young – incorporating all ages into one ministering community.  See how connected we are in our desires for God’s work in and through us!  We can pray and encourage each other, young and old, younger and older.

If you’d like to pray over the full list of requests from the Youth Worship Night, please email prayer@ecreekside.com.