Pray for the Next Generation

 

My daddy and mother with their grandkids
(who are now adults with kids of their own)
Christmas 1985

"...so that you, your children, and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long a you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life...Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:2, 5)

The prayer focus on this #13 day of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting is pray for the next generation. The most common prayers requested by thousands of students at Church of the Highlands are:

The children:

1. Pray for my parents and family.

2. Pray for my friends at school who are hurting.

The teenagers:

1. Pray for boldness to live out my faith and not be fearful of what others think.

2. Pray for godly friendships that will hold me accountable.

The college students:

1. Pray for me to stand firm and not conform to the typical college life. I am tired of that.

2. Pray for my friend to discover their faith in college, not lose it.

Pray, beloved. Pray often. Pray fervently for the next generation!

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Skilled Swordsmen

 

our grands
Orange Beach
2022

"Do not be afraid...remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." (Nehemiah 4:14)

As I've told you before, a tradition in my family is: 

the kids and grands earn souvenir money for our annual beach trip by quoting Scriptures to Memaw. Normally, I send out 20 Scriptures in January for them to memorize by June. This year, God put a new twist on the challenge:

Each family is to find 20 verses they need to be strong in the Lord and defeat the enemy.

For example, if a family is struggling with fear, worry, anger, apathy, unkindness, defeat, discouragement, etc., they are to find a "sword" to destroy that stronghold and expose the defeat the enemy's lies.

Memorize those swords.

Speak those swords.

Wield those swords.

Become skilled swordsmen, if you will.

What are you battling, beloved? Find your sword and use it!

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Wake Up

 

me
1958

"Awake, O sleeper,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you!"

(Ephesians 5:14)

In the PT phase of recovery from a broken leg, I'm working to wake up the quad and glute muscles. I believe God is telling me to wake up spiritually, as well.

In Jesus's message to the Church of Sardis in Revelation chapter 3, He said: 

"I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain...The one who overcomes...I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

Let us wake up, beloved. 

Wake up in passionately worshipping God.

Wake up in purposefully  reading God's Word.

Wake up in fervently praying.

Wake up in compassionately serving others.

Wake up!

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The Young Church

Grandkids and Bell at the Coosa River farm
Christmas 2022

"Stay alert! Watch out for your enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." (1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT)

Over 100,000 churches around the globe are in a season of 21 days of prayer and fasting. One of my focuses this year (thanks to my Rebecca's inspiration) is praying for the young church—those who are college age and younger.

At Monday morning's prayer service, our pastor called the young church to the altar to be prayed over. Hundreds of young believers (half or more of those present) came forward.

Beloved, I beseech you on this 4th day of 21 days of prayer and fasting to pray passionately and faithfully for Christ's young church!

May the Lord bless them and keep them. May no weapon formed against them prosper. May they be not wise in their own eyes, but fear the Lord and shun evil. May they hide God's word in their hearts and have it ever-ready in their hands to share the Good News of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ and defeat the enemy. May they forever love the Lord, obey His voice, hold fast to Him, and serve God with all their heart, mind, and strength! In Jesus' name we fervently pray!

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