Sometimes the teenagers we love go through season of pain and suffering, and we quickly reach the limits of our human ability to help. We long to pour out our hearts to God, but it can be hard to find words when we are worried or afraid. Thanks be to God, we who have the Holy Spirit do not have to form perfect phrases, because “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). But there are times when it is a comfort to us to speak words, to pray out loud from the Scriptures, because as we pray we are reminded of the promises and character of God who loves our teenagers more than we can imagine. Over the next few weeks we will offer you prayers you can use as a starting point to lift up the teenagers you love to the Lord. We hope these will encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, for “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (Jas. 5:16).
It is a guarantee that at some point, every Christian will wrestle with unbelief. While we long to have a certainty of God’s promises, we can doubt and question God’s character and Word. Teenagers are no exception to this struggle.
As we continue in our series on prayers for a struggling student, consider this prayer from the perspective of a doubting student. We invite you to step inside the shoes of a teenager who is battling unbelief, and perhaps to even pray alongside a teenager you know is struggling, trusting in God’s kindness to all of us who doubt, question, and waiver in our faith.
Dear God,
I sit here in this pew, but I don’t know what to do. Should I raise my hands, sing to you?
I’ll be honest, I’m just not feeling it today. Things really have not been going my way.
I think you are there but it’s hard to see that you think all that much of me.
“I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)
So you can’t forget me, but what about my friends? It seems that their pain never ends.
It feels hopeless to speak to them of hope when all they’re trying to do is cope.
It’s hard for them to understand there’s more to God than stern reprimands.
“The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Well I long for you not to be so slow! Will we ever actually reap what it is we sow?
We say prayers that don’t seem to be heard, and people hurt each other quoting your Word.
Why are some Christians intent on being right, arming themselves for some sort of fight?
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
That’s right, God – It’s not about me. Patient Lord, please help us grow in humility.
You invite me into your mercy and grace, which I’ll know only by gazing on your face.
But I’m tired and busy and full of stress—everything feels like such a mess.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)
But doesn’t living freely happen elsewhere, where we do what we want and not really care?
I desire to laugh and want to have fun, but I’m also ashamed of some things I have done.
I don’t want stiff religion, I want something real––a place to rest, somewhere I can heal.
“The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” (John 10:10)
Life is hard and there’s so much that’s bad. Sometimes I choose evil, and that makes me sad.
I think there’s more than I can view, and I want to believe you can make all things new.
But the world seems bent on death and destruction––where’s the promised victory you’ve won?
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)
That sounds so amazing but so far away––how does that help when I’m weeping today?
You’re all that is lovely and all that is good––I want to believe that and know that I should.
You say everything is possible for those who believe, so God I’m pleading, hear my plea:
“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
