“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:1-6
We hear so often that time goes far too quickly– yes, the days may be long, but the years are short. In a world where being busy is our second nature, keeping up with raising and teaching children of all ages can be tiring. If you have a toddler, elementary-aged child, preteen, or teenager in your home, you know that they are fumbling their way through challenges at even younger ages than we as parents and leaders ever thought possible. Maybe you have a young family member or friend that comes to mind. No matter who that person is in your life, there is an urgency for a foundation that won't be shaken as they grow in this ever-changing culture.
Partnering with parents and families is a joy as a ministry leader, and we know that the work is never done. While the church isn't the only place the next generation can meet Jesus, it's where they can find community, love and encouragement. When a child's knowledge of their loving Heavenly Father starts at a young age, our prayer is that they hold on to that for the rest of their days. The busy days in ministry with babies, kids, and teens are a privilege as we walk alongside families in laying the groundwork for a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We want to support and empower the parents and people of influence in our kids’ lives to stay strong in the valleys and rejoice with them on the mountaintops.
As parents, friends and ministry leaders, there are days when fear of the world’s influence creeps in. It can feel like a heavy weight as we raise and guide the next generation, with every parenting or teaching decision feeling more important than ever before. As we lead the next generation, this privileged role is massive, but the weight is not ours to carry alone. We can rest in this truth from Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our Father wants to lead us as we disciple the next generation, but we must surrender our decisions and discipleship moments and offer the kids we love so deeply to Him every single day, humbly reminding ourselves that they are His. We can have confidence that God hears us and knows our deepest desires for the kids we love.
With the knowledge that our uphill battles in raising and teaching this next generation are no surprise to our Father—the One who created us and gave us life—we want to pause and pray. The very same God that can count the hairs on each child’s head knows exactly what they will face and is not surprised by any of it. He wants us to set an example in coming to Him, knowing Him, and finding our hope in Him. When the next generation watches us surrender our worries and fears to our Father, may they then grow to trust in a God who knows their future and their plans, and who promises them hope (Deuteronomy 29:11).
What a hope we have from a loving Father that He is in all of the details and the daily struggles. No matter the age, we should pray diligently for the kids in our lives: they are the future leaders in their workplaces, homes, and churches. Just as they are beautifully made in the image of God, they are such precious gifts to us as parents, grandparents, ministry leaders, volunteers and friends. We pray for their daily routines and sporting events, for their conversations with friends and dinnertime discussions with parents, and that their light for Jesus will shine so much brighter than the social media posts on their feeds. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." May we raise up the next generation with Christ as their constant in a world that is ever-changing.
Pray with us: “Father, we pray for the next generation. We thank you for who you have created them to be and we lift up their lives to you. We pray their hearts will be close to yours and that discernment, biblical knowledge and understanding will be established and fed at every stage of their lives. We pray you will help us hold them close and that they’ll choose the path that honors you in every big and in every small decision. We humbly pray that the Church would be a catalyst, a support and a safe place to land as they navigate this world. We pray they are bold in sharing their faith and lighting this world. Father God, we pray for revival in the next generation. Amen.”
Partnering with parents and families is a joy as a ministry leader, and we know that the work is never done. While the church isn't the only place the next generation can meet Jesus, it's where they can find community, love and encouragement. When a child's knowledge of their loving Heavenly Father starts at a young age, our prayer is that they hold on to that for the rest of their days. The busy days in ministry with babies, kids, and teens are a privilege as we walk alongside families in laying the groundwork for a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We want to support and empower the parents and people of influence in our kids’ lives to stay strong in the valleys and rejoice with them on the mountaintops.
As parents, friends and ministry leaders, there are days when fear of the world’s influence creeps in. It can feel like a heavy weight as we raise and guide the next generation, with every parenting or teaching decision feeling more important than ever before. As we lead the next generation, this privileged role is massive, but the weight is not ours to carry alone. We can rest in this truth from Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our Father wants to lead us as we disciple the next generation, but we must surrender our decisions and discipleship moments and offer the kids we love so deeply to Him every single day, humbly reminding ourselves that they are His. We can have confidence that God hears us and knows our deepest desires for the kids we love.
With the knowledge that our uphill battles in raising and teaching this next generation are no surprise to our Father—the One who created us and gave us life—we want to pause and pray. The very same God that can count the hairs on each child’s head knows exactly what they will face and is not surprised by any of it. He wants us to set an example in coming to Him, knowing Him, and finding our hope in Him. When the next generation watches us surrender our worries and fears to our Father, may they then grow to trust in a God who knows their future and their plans, and who promises them hope (Deuteronomy 29:11).
What a hope we have from a loving Father that He is in all of the details and the daily struggles. No matter the age, we should pray diligently for the kids in our lives: they are the future leaders in their workplaces, homes, and churches. Just as they are beautifully made in the image of God, they are such precious gifts to us as parents, grandparents, ministry leaders, volunteers and friends. We pray for their daily routines and sporting events, for their conversations with friends and dinnertime discussions with parents, and that their light for Jesus will shine so much brighter than the social media posts on their feeds. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." May we raise up the next generation with Christ as their constant in a world that is ever-changing.
Pray with us: “Father, we pray for the next generation. We thank you for who you have created them to be and we lift up their lives to you. We pray their hearts will be close to yours and that discernment, biblical knowledge and understanding will be established and fed at every stage of their lives. We pray you will help us hold them close and that they’ll choose the path that honors you in every big and in every small decision. We humbly pray that the Church would be a catalyst, a support and a safe place to land as they navigate this world. We pray they are bold in sharing their faith and lighting this world. Father God, we pray for revival in the next generation. Amen.”
Posted in Basics Devotional
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Day 10: Say Yes to ChangeDay 18: Keep In Step With the SpiritDay 21: Pick Up a CrossDay 19: God’s Heart of GenerosityDay 17: A Solid Foundation in an Ever-Changing WorldDay 16: What a Mess I Had MadeDay 15: A Culture that HonorsDay 14: Gifts and SeedsDay 13: Open DoorsDay 12: Our Relationship RoadmapDay 11: How Hungry Are You?Day 7: Go and Make DisciplesDay 6: An Evangelistic Heart for Our CityDay 5: Everyone Will KnowDay 4: But GodDay 2: Choosing HungerDay 1: You CAN fast