On Monday afternoons through Advent I am hosting a Bible Study for anyone in the Congregational Federation. Last week our focus was on Mary - a teenager who was chosen by God. In the Message version of the Bible this is how the angel Gabriel greets Mary.
“Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you.”
She was beautiful with God’s beauty. Wow! What a phrase. We know Mary was also young, she was innocent but she was strong and wise, she knew her Scriptures and she was faithful to God’s promises. A role model for any teenager.
As a group on Monday our prayers focused therefore on teenagers especially given the tragic murder of a 12-year-old girl by a 14 year old boy in my home city, Liverpool, a week ago.
Let’s pray
Lord Jesus we pray for
Teenagers – those known to us in our family, in our church or in our neighbourhood, we name them before you now.
Energy – we thank you for their energy and we ask you to help them discern the difference between right and wrong
Education- we thank you for our education system - help teenagers focus on their studies, show respect to teachers and those working in schools
Night – we ask you Lord to protect them especially at night, let them sleep peacefully and not stay up on electronic devices or be out with others
Anger – please help any who struggle with anger issues or anxieties - may they be given support and help they need to become wise and content
Gender - we pray for those who are having to explore gender identity or are not sure who they are, those that feel lost or that they don’t belong - give then courage and clarity
Environment - thank you for how teenagers have led in global environmental concerns. Help us to listen to them and be challenged and supportive to their concerns
Revival - Finally we pray revival Lord Jesus, that all teenagers come to know you as their Lord and Saviour, and as churches and individuals we reach out to them
Amen
Yvonne Campbell